Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-11-30
ION THEROAD TO BRADDOCE|
BY SUSAN LANoETr.


There we're TO have been ten In the
party. but at the last moment Dorothy
Tenant failed them. When he heard
this Grahame found that important
business would detain him in town
aud handed his car over to Lawrence
Brooke, who was not pleased with
the turn of events. He and the girl
who was TO have been the fourth in
Grahame's car we're in trouble. and
when II comes to taking 0O-mile
drive with an iceberg sitting beside
one It Is not surprising that Brooke
was In state of mind not describable.
AS for the glrl--what she thought wac
not evident. But she had whItened
suddenly when Dorothys message
reached them.
The situation was awkward, but 1t
was carried on by the girl, who seat
ed herself beside Lawrence and spared
no pains TO make general talk. This
she could do. for she was more than
girl. She was woman who had
travelled and read extensively and had
me fortunate gift Of being agreeable
without touching upon the personal.
When Il Is known that the mIsunder-
derstanding between the two had re-
shifted 10 the breaking OF their en-
eagement Il win be seen that II re-
quired both pride and tact for her to
keep 70 her policy Of treating the man
beside her as a newly acquired nc
quninianee to whom she was making
herself entertaining.
Finally anger held him In an iron
grip. That she could Ignore--be so In
different TO past relations--was beyond
his understanding. but he was deter
mined 10 know the reason back Of the
letter be had received from her.
u was q coldly worded letter and
gave no explanation as 10 why she
broke with him, She had merely
stated the bald fact that she had
changed her mind.
n she thinks she can keep the con-
YerHatlon IA her hands until we rench
braddock she Is mistaken" he told
himself grizzly.
The talk became spasrnodlc, faltered.
Then ccased altogether. Then he spoke
20 her.
i have been wondering. Mary. how
long you would be able 10 keen Il up
wondering when you would sense the
fact there was something Of infinite.
y more Importance than this trim you
nave been telling me about. No doubt
Il was interesting. but the important
topic 10 me just now Is ourselves. 1
cannot follow the intricacles OF your
Nonuu's mind aud ! have sought In
vain Tor an explanation Of the letter
you sent me. You did not answer my
note. refused to see me. l want 10
khnW the reason you broke with me.
and be- sure, Mary, that I win know the
feai reasote mot make-beileYe one.
There must have been a powerful one
back Of Il. What was ItY'
As she did not reply. he drove TO
The side Of the road and stopped the
ear. II was then he caught glimpse
Of her quickly averted face. The sight
aoftened him. but did not alter his
determination 10 reach an understand.
lug. Before he again spoke she said /:
Il should have told you, Lawrence,
but ] could not. Even now IL Is an.
heult for me to speak. You know a
Mrs EndIcott do you not. Mrs.
Charles Endicott OF BostonTe
"WellT'
She called upon me some days ago.
She had little child with her--a
very handsome lfey She told me his
name was Lawrence Brooke and that
his mother was alive"
stu, | don't Sec" he began per-
picked Then his face whltened.
7 understand. Mary" His voice was
harsh. but don't you think Il would
have been better TO have come to me ="
"she showed me letters--a marriage
certificate"
For some minutes he did not speak.
Then he slipped his hand into an In
side pocket and withdrew letter.
Il do not know how Mrs. EndIcott
came into possession OF the paper you
mention or the letter, but this one Is
from the boys mother. Before You
read II | must tell YOU there are sew
eral men bearing my name. The
father of the child is the black sheep
OF the Brooke family. / do not
often speak Of him. but this comes too
close to me. Lawrence deserted his
wife three years ago. have Just Sc
cured her freedom. hope you win be
friends with her, Mary, for she has
need OF friends. WIN you read her
letter? II mentions you"
II was a short letter, but came from
the heart Of a woman who had seen
deep trouble. AT the last she wrote:
You must bring her TO see me, Law
renee, that sweetheart OF yours. can
hardly wait until then. You have told
me so much of her that my friendlI-
ness stretches out until / feel that she
must feed 1t. ! do so hope for her
friendship"
II feel as she does, Mary. / cannot
wait. Let us turn back. We are too
late for lunch with the crowd. / will
get you something to eat later on.
Meantime, we are going to stop In
Rockville
"Why Roekvllle?" she questioned.
1T is the Gretna Green of Maryland,
and | am going to run away with YOU"
he answered lightly.
"Yery we'll" she said soberiy. II
have had a week of misery. l am
now ready for taste Of happiness" y
copyright. 1916. by the Mcclure Newspa.
per syndicate.)