Smyrna times., 1916-12-20
M THERoAD TO BRADDOcK|
| BY SUSAN LANeETT. !

pS .ocq would detain him in town
SDsI'YD Sonded his car over to Lawrence
Inu a who was not pleased with
HOVaT .,rr of events. He and the girl
pS Tos TO have been the fourth in
1nJ Dl.somes N" car were in trouble, and
O,a.N a~ 4 comes to taking a 6O-mile
sn'a alSo with an iceberg sitting beside
Wv = is not surprising that Brooke
~s,in a state of mind not describable.
", y 'tor the girl-what she thought was
:, ~ evident. But she had whitened
~sdsuly when DOrOthy's message
reached them.
The situation was awkward, but it
,s carried off by the girl, who seat
',bprself beside Lawrence and spared
Mains TO make general talk. This
:, could do. for she was more than
drl She was a woman who had
-'ypled and read extensively and had
so fortunate gift Of being agreeable
1IthOut touching upon the personal.
When It is known that the misunder-
,s,Standing between the two had re-
~Itod in the breaking of their en-
,goment it will be seen that it re-
mired both pride and tact for her to
tppD TO her policy of treating the man
ssJde her as a newly acquired ac-
msintance to whom she was making
hqself entertaining.
Finally anger held him in an iron
nip That she could ignOre-be so in
Hferent to past relatiOns-was beyond
4 Hs understanding, but he was deter
mined to know the reason back of the
litter he had received from her.
Il was a cOldly worded letter and
ave no explanation as to why she
hOke with him. She had merely
nted the bald fact that she had
hanged her mind.
IF she thinks she can keep the con-
VgSatiOn in her hands until we reach
ABnddOck she is Mistaken" he told
himself grimly.
The talk became spasmodic, faltered,
Ahan ceased altogether. Then he spoke
No her.
Il have been wondering, Mary, how
1ng you would be able to keep it up /;
Vmdering when you would sense the
hCt there was something of infinite
more Importance than this trip you
aYe been telling me about. No doubt
was interesting, but the important
u plc to me just now is ourselves.
1lnOt follow the intricacies of your
Wmans mind and have sought in
Hl for an explanation of the letter
Eu sent me. You did not answer my
nte, refused to see me. 1 want to
how the reason you broke with me,
ndbe sure, Mary, that will know the
al reason, not a make-believe one.
mere must have been a powerful one
Ack Of it. What was it?"
As she did not reply, he drove to
ae side Of the road and stopped the
~ 1t was then he caught a glimpse
aAer quickly averted face. The sight
nItened him, but did not alter his
examination to reach an understand
Y Before he again spoke she said
! should have told you, Lawrence
WI could not. Even now it is diff
E0t for me to speak. You know {
~ Endicott, do you not, a Mrs
uafes Endicott Of Boston?"
Telf"
Me called upon me some days age
0s mad a little child with her,
Z! handsome boy. She told me hi
.ae was Lawrence Brooke and tina
mother was alive"
Sull, don't see" he began Del
'aeG Then his face whitened.
understand, Mary" His voice wa
l'a But don't you think it woul
-sOeen better to have come to me?
cue showed me letters-a marriag
eftAate."
I .W some minutes he did not speal
I pu Ae slipped his hand into an IL
4 pocket and withdrew a lette
W not know how Mrs. Endicot
~ INTO possession of the paper 70
-uOa or the letter, but this one
~ ue boys mother. Before yo
~aH must tell you there are Sc
I a.. 4ea bearing my name. TT
4 a u the child is the black shet
/ ue Brooke family. I do n,
speak Of him, but this comes tt
! 4" me. Lawrence deserted h
Iree years ago. have just S
ssDs. ner freedom. hope you will
M T. !, WIN her, Mary, for she HI
sHs,, u friends. viii you read h
~ E 1t mentions you"
vas Snort letter, but came fro
D.at Of a woman who had Sc,
uOuDle. At the last she wrot
sos a. ,uust bring her to see me, La
h,E. mat sweetheart of yours. / G.
wait until then. You have to
= much Of her that my friend
m seIcaes s', out until I feel that S
ssSass,e' se' It. do so hope for b
M vi as she does, Mary. I cam
fo. .el US turn back. We are t
von lunch with the crowd. Nv
sstiu.. N.Y. Something to eat later
aVile.n o so'ng 10 stop
Z ely ROckvlne?" she questioned.