Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-08-25

afraid the poor girl has had but few
gayeties in her life. Has it struck
you that young Blair is trifie atten-
tive in that direction?" he inquired
anxiously.
Really, I had not noticed it," Mrs.
Alden's lips stiffened a trifle disap-
provingly.
Nevertheless, / am of the opinion
that something will develop between
those two" he urged. "And now"
she glanced across at him, tell me
what are your arrangements for your
trip to Palm Beach,"
But before Kendrick could comply,
the door to her sitting room was flung
open and Ruth and Fleetwood Blair
appeared hand in hand on the
threshold.
wish US happiness, mother" the
girl cried exuberantly. Fleetwood
and are engaged"
For once, Mrs. Alden lost her suave
poise.
Her eyes were fixed in a glare of
despairing rage upon Blair. She lift
ed her hand and pointed toward the
door with a gesture not to be mis-
taken.
Involuntarily Blair took step back
ward, then halted and glanced toward
Ruth Instantly she moved over to
his side and thrust her arm in his.
IF there's no place here for him,
then there is none for mel" she cried.
Then with her head held high, and
her arm linked in that of her lover,
she passed out of the room and from
the house.
Mrs. Alden tottering to a chair,
sank down weakly into it and gave
way to tears.
Finally the telephone upon near
by stand rang. Listlessly Mrs. Alden
took it up. But all at once her ex-
preston changed, CLEAN Of ANNA
ton returned to her eye.
Listen she whispered to Ken
drick. "They have gone to Peace AL
denis in New York-Ruth's maiden
aunt, you know-and Peace is trying
to get me to come there and consent
10 a TGCUuCllldjlOu.
Its the only thing to do" she de-
cided impulsively. "Otherwise, Peace
says, they are planning to rush off to
Jersey City or some other impossible
place and get married tonight; where
as, by seeming to yield now I can
gain time"
In Batson Hendricks big, luxurious
limousine, which he had placed at her
disposal with himself as an escort,
she outlined the plan Of campaign.
When she alighted at Aunt Peace
A1den's old red brick house down on
Washington square and gave him her
hand at parting, there was light in
her eyes as if she already foresaw
victory.
Hastily she subdued her manner,
however, as she rang the bell and was
admitted by the gray-haired old butler.
Mrs. Alden made a most effective
entrance. Her expression one Of ma
ternal solicitude, she started eagerly
toward her sister-in-law; then halted,
as if just coming to realization Of
the presence of the young people.
For a moment she stiffened, but ap-
parently conquering herself, turned
with the semblance of a rush Of agi-
tated feeling and clasped her daugh-
ter in her arms.
my little GIRL she murmured bro
kenly.
There was just the right admixture
of humility and surrender in her man.
ner as she extended relenting hand
to Blair.
"You will let me have her for just
a little while longer, won't your she
coaxed with wistful smile. You'll
give me the satisfaction of seeing
her married from under my own roof,
with a proper trousseau, and a flock
of pretty bridesmaids, and cake
and all the rest of It. A girl can only
have one wedding, you know-Fleet-
wood"
"Of course, he WILL" Aunt Peace
insisted, beaming at them from
among her pillows over her success
as an exponent of her name.
So it was finally arranged, after
discussion in which MRS. Alden cum
ningly managed to get Aunt Peace to
cast the deciding vote that the mar
rage should be deferred for six
months, or until the young mining en-
gineer had a chance to determine
what advantage might lie in certain
prospects" OF which he told them.
One day as she was leaving the
| house for q walk, Ruth stopped for
moment to ask her mother question.
Mrs. Alden was seated at her desk,
so absorbed in note she was writ
! ing that she was not conscious OF the
girls presence until Ruth stood behind
| her.
Then she started almost guiltily,
and quickly turned the half-written
sheet over so as to hide it's contents.
Secrets, eh?" cried Ruth and play
/ fully tried to wrest the note away so
as TO see to whom it was addressed;
but her mother objected SO stoutly
that after a moment she desisted from
/ her effort.