The Washington herald., 1916-07-16

and I'll see you get homo by ten O'clock
at the very latest"
When Tom Clark called at the Carr
cottage that evening Edna was not at
home When he saw her, next noon
she told him she had gone to call on
n sick neighbor and was going thither
again that evening.
To do Agnew Graham strict justice.
he had merely met the same fate as
had Tom. In other words. he had
fallen in love at sight with Edna Carr
And his love for her-to his own sur
prise-was as reverent and as protec-
tive as Clark's.
Graham during that first motor ride
had resolved that Edna was the one
woman in all the world for him, and
that he would win her for his wife.
His love-making was as respectful
as to girl of his own class. For the
first time in his checkered life he rea-
lized the holiness Of love.
As for Edna, she found Graham un-
like any other man she had met. He
was better dressed. of suaver manners,
of broader experience. The polished man
of the world dazzled her; and for the
moment almost blurred the image of poor
Tom Clark from her heart.
Ambition awoke within her. All her
young life she had had to pinch and
save. AS Agnew Grahams wife she
would have every comfort that large
income could buy.
Hitherto her chief amusement had
been an evening at good moving
picture show, followed by a plate of
Now Graham's high-priced car was at
her service. So were the delightfully."-
dainty AMI costly suppers he ordered
for her at roadhouse restaurants. So
were theater and opera
Her inexperienced head was turned.
Her head, but not wholly her heart.
That was still, at bottom, true to its
ideals, although those ideals just now
were sadly muddled.
And when Graham asked her to be
his wife she refused. But she couched
her refusal in terms so regretful that
he by no means abandoned hope.
From her artless talk he had learned
of Toms love for her; but he had no
fear from so lowly a rival. Indeed,
Clark's alteration for Edna mildly
amused him.
On the afternoon following the drive
when Graham had proposed to Edna.
a felIow-workman fell into step with
Tom, as the day shift was trooping
out of the mill
Heard the news?" the man asked
Tom.
What news? queried Clark. with
no great interest
Pop Carr Is due TO have a swell SON
in-law." was the reply. "A couple of the
fellows know Grahams chauffeur. They
were coming home from the lodge, along
Pine street, last evening, when Graham
chugged past them in that big blue car
OF his. The electric street light shone
into the car as the two chaps were pas
sing, and there sat Graham with Pop
Carr's daughter. This morning one OF
'em spoke to Graham's chauffeur about
1t. The chauffeur said yes, they go driv-
ing together pretty near every evening
And last night he heard Graham ask her
would she marry him. The chauffeur
couldn't hear what she answered. Blu,
it's a cinch she"
He broke of in astonishment. for Tom,
who had been staring at him in speech
less horror, had turned on his heel and
set of at a dead run.
Nor did he pause until he had entered
the front yard Of the Carr cottage. Edna
saw him stridins up the walk and she
came to the door to meet him
"You're-you're a stranger, Tom" she
greeted him with forced nghtness thai
sought to mask her nervousness 81
haven't seen you for ages"
II have been here evening after even,
ing." he answered. choking back his emo.
ton, but you're always away visiting
your sick neighbor'-Edna!" he broke
off in stern inquiry, ''is It true that yor
spend your evenings motoring with
Agnew Iraham?"
She flushed hotly; but answered IL
ready defiance.
We'll, II l do, whose business is It but
my own? You have no right to catechise
me-"
Il have the right Of a man who wants
to protect you from danger" he return
ed. THE right to guard you from q
scoundrel like Graham. You surely mus
know what it means when a man OF hi:
sort pays attentions to you
1T means" she said, angered at his
tone. "it means that he loves me. He has
asked me to be his wife,
Mo-" cried Tom. aghast. TITS true
then, It's true what people are saying
Oh, Edna"
rs there any disgrace" she demanded
''in my listening to his proposal? He
loves me, and"
Edna exclaimed Tom. you dom
care for him. You can't! Why, I hoped
1 dared hope-you understood how I fee
toward you. and that you were willing
must have known that I love you. VIII
you marry me?''
For a moment her heart went out &c
him in an anguish OF yearning Then
common sense asserted itself.
TOM" she said, very gently, but very
firmly. You can't afford to marry or
the pay you are getting. You can't sup
port two families on your weekly wages
1t may be years before"
And you are the little girl / always
though was SO fine and so unmercenary!'
groaned Tom. Graham has taught you
that money is better than true love.
can't compete against his bid. Good-by.' u
Sick with misery. he left her and made
for the outer door. His heart was dead
within him.
On the doorstep he all but collided with
a man who was just raising a hand &c
the bell. 1t was Agnew Graham.
Graham's car stood at the gate. This
was the superintendent's first visit by
daylight to the home Of the girl he loved
and he was not overpleased to meet Tom
Clark coming out.
But from the look OF wretchedness or
Toms face Graham rightly Judged tina,
the younger mans reception had not beer
favorable. And he srinned patronizingly
at him.
At sight Of that grin Tom suddenly los,
all control OF himself. His heartsich
apathy changed in flash to murderou.
rage. With the wordless yell Of charg.
ing beast he few at his rival