The Lovington leader., 1917-03-30

tsee W " okaiu- hOo Suu Z uors esss-
I'd rather die than - anyone ! cared
for marry that sort Of . man"
Ethei's affection for her aunt. and
her love for this man-for she knew
now u Vas love-were % nearly
crushing her In the warfare that she
could say no more. and she brought
the interview to an end by making an
excuse 20 20 10 her room.
Irwin Banks lived with his sister.
who had been one Of the principal fac
tors In helping him to rise to the 20
sition he now held. II was with his
sister that Ethel had first met him.
She WIS attracted by the good-lookins
young man with the high. nrm car
riuge Of the head. the straight gaze
and the whoieAome smile. and she was
further held by his ability TO say some
thing worth while. and saying II rath.
er well. She had met him In his own
home by invitation Of his sister. and
had asked him to call. II was after
his second visit, at both Of which Miss
Crane had pretended Illness as an eX-
cuse for not appearing. that the lady
had given her emphatic reasons for
not wishing him 10 call again.
Ground between the mlllstones Of
her divided duty" Ethel sought the
counsel Of Mary Banks.
Aunt Melissa has been TO me sec.
ond mother. ! love her very dearly.
How can 90 dead against her wishes.
II must ask him not to call again. "
Ethel said.
"And do you think Irwin will let II
go at that?" cried his sister. maybe
you don't know what this means to
him."
Ethefs heart gave a big throb. She
knew what II meant to her. In the
meeting Of their eyes, the sister knew.
"Will you ask your aunt to come
and see mel" she said
"Oh, she never would" asserted
Ethel.
Not IL she could help II. OF course,
rejoined Mary. "But you've got to put
your foot down. and be firm. Just say
you can't tell him not to call. and you'd
be likely to see him In other places
anyway. II she wants to shut OF all
communication between you and Mr.
Irwin Banks. the only way Is to come
and lay the case before his sister"
Ethel looked dubious, but promised
to be firm. and the two conspirators
parted.
Miss Crane stoutly protested she
would do nothing OF the kind. but as
relations remained decidedly strained
she concluded 1t was the only way tt
conclude peace.
The day she had appointed TO cal
on Miss Banks was cold aud bluster
ing. and snow began to fall heavll!
while she vas on the way. She ha,
to walk nearly mile. and she ar
rived at the Banks cottage, chilled, we
and bedraggled. Mary Banks met he
with such CHEEKY cordiality, and tool
or her wet wraps with such solicltud
for. her health, making her sit YER
near the fire to dry her feet. and tnlk
Ing pleasantly all the time that he
caller found 1t difficult to make n
opening for her errand. At last sh
| ynt m pnuruVn IN hauin
Miss Banks. am"
"Just u minute, Miss Crane! lie
me get you something warm!'
Miss Crane protested she did nc
need anything, but suddenly Mis-
Banks regarded her with deep alarm
oh" she cried, show badly you look
Why, you are having n chill! Ther
is so much pneumonia about! ! sha
get you something at once"
Miss Crane admitted she was sti
cold, and allowed her to have hi
way.
Its Just n little hot lemonade" sh
said, handing the tall tumbler to he
guest.
Miss Crane, already alarmed abOl
her condition. took long draft {
the mixture. Suddenly she set
down with n frightened look at tn
other woman. There's liquor In II
she cried.
"Oh. only the least bit. II you ha
a doctor here he'd make you take |
You'll have pneumonia II you don't
Miss Crane now thoroughly frigh
ened, swallowed the whole Of 1t.
was really very liberal allowance
"old rye and not being used to intoy
cants, she was soon cOnversing glib
and feeling very much at home vii
her hostess. Mary showed her brot
, er's picture, and RECALLED her with h
, wonderful achievements. Miss Graz
quite forgot what she had come 10
, and invited them both to call. Maj
telephOned for conveyance, and Sci
her guest home happy.
, Ethel received the unexpected new
with establishment. but the next 1
. stant became aware that Miss Graz
had been having too much. The ne
day very miserable, repentant wol
, an met her at breakfast. 1--WE got
resign from the W. c. 7. U.," she sal
! "I'll never be able to look any Of the
! In the face again. guess l needr
have been quite 30 hard on Irv
!, Banks. haven't anything more to 8,
against his coming"