The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-12-29

n few hours after he had assured her
of his constancy, the other his tgnor-
ance as to VINO was the girl he had ex-
changed pledges with. Getting out OF
bed, he took up his dress vest and felt
in the rocket where he carried his gold
pencil. It was gone. oh, how he tried
TO remember where it had gone! or
all his horrible entanglements-and ne
had passed through a number OF them
this was the worst
There would have been something
like comfort In his not remembering
the girl he had made love to had 1t not
been that he shrank from doing dis
honorable act. The girl, not receiving
a visit from him, would suppose that
he intended to jilt her and would be
too proud to trouble him again. But
from such a position he shrank. And
would she not tell some friend who
would tell another and the matter
finally get to Lena?
There were so many awful things
that might grow out of his relapse
that he resolved to Danish them all.
| With one kick he removed the bed
clothes and In few minutes was driv-
ing the blood out of his head with
shower bath. Then when dressed he
sailed forth for breakfast
Time was when New Years day was
devoted to calls. This custom having
passed away It is a holiday without
any especial object. Andrews wished
that he could relieve his mind by work.
| During the afternoon he received by
messenger a note from Lena. A new
shock greeted him when he read It:
| Mr.. Andrews-After what occurred last
night l do not consider 1t necessary to
| keep you waiting a year for an answer,
which may as we'll be given now in the
| negative. am aware of what passed be-
| tween you and my new rival. l regret
| that l am not Indifferent as to your &C
ton, but It is better that | should suffer
now than as your wife Trusting that
you may be happy with the girl with
| whom you exchanged tokens. l am your
wellwisher LENA.
| Frank rested his elbows on his knees
and his head in his palms and groaned.
He saw no hope anywhere. The night
| before on account Of his constitutional
failing he had been required to wait
year before being accepted by the
girl he loved; now he had to wait for
ever. In his position with regard to
Lena lie forgot his position to this
| Gwen. whoever she might be- What
| should he do to palliate his offense
to Lena? He did not see that he could
do anything.
1t is questionable If there was ever
lover who was without hope till
| the lady of his love had passed to an
other, and Frank Andrews was no ex-
ception. About o'clock In the even
| ing he called Lena ON the telephone.
Twill you be at home this EVENING""
| he asked.
| Eyes"
MAY CALI"
81 shall be pleased to see you"
| There was nothing in the replies or
the tone of voice In which they were
spoken either to reassure or discourage
him as to an ultimate forgiveness. He
would go to Lena and see what he
could do.
Lena kept him waiting a few min
utes. then entered the room where he
| was with neither vindictiyeness nor
encouragement. He judged that it
was Indifference.
~ received your note" he said
| gloomily. II thought ! would come to
at least say goodby."
"You began your trial at 10 o'clock
on Dec. 81 and proved your inconstan-
| cy at l o'clock on Jan I of the next
year. You were true to me just three
| hours"
"You remember how much cham
pagne"-
"You can't plead that you didn't
know what you were doing. You
did not drink wine enough to mar
your memory of me. Besides. II true,
that would be no excuse"
Driven from this expedient. Frank
concluded to try another.
you see, Gwen and were play
mates when we were children. I used
to carry her books to and from school.
had no idea then and have never had
| since that she thought any more OF
me than any other fellow. I presume
something said last night sounded to
her like lovemaking, and she-well,
| she, thinking that L OF course /
couldn't turn her down In a brutal
fashion, you know
| Lena burst into laugh.
"Frank Andrews, you are the big
gest humbug l have even known in the
whole course of my life!"
II swear
Don't commit perjury"
"Then you will not permit me to ex-
plain?"
There is no need of an explanation
from you. 1t must come from me-"
Frank looked at her In bewilderment.
There is no such person as Gwen.
Last night 1t occurred to me - play
Joke on you. | have for years worn
sort of amulet around my neck-a gold
locket saw Charlie Hartwell ask
you for a pencil. and you handed him
your gold pencil case. took 1t from
| Charlie and didn't give it back to him.
Here it is"
A relieved smile began to break out
4 = a