The Lamar register., 1917-05-02


/ been given the humiliaung missive TO
mail. And now she was thinking 1t
all over.
/ She had liked Nell, always. If the
quiet young student showed a prefer
ence for any particular young lady 1t
had been herself, and she had been
rather pleased and proud of 1t. She
had viewed him as a natural knight Of
chivalry, a model Of honor. worthy of
wearing the brightest badge of true
courage. And now-l
"He wouldn't funk !" uttered Clio.
"There is u mistake, or spltework,
somewhere. The letter sha mt be sent
until 1 know that meddlesOme. scatter.
Drained Elsa has got matters right
Her mind fully made up, Clio was
lmmoyable. She Joined in the tennis
game, constantly looking for Neil to
appear, but he did not come. She next
wished for her brother to put in an
appearance He had not been home
since the day previous, which was I'M
usual with him. But neither did Ned
Barry come to enlighten her fully on
the fracas affair. After the garden
party had dispersed, Clio put on her
hat and started for the village. Her
father had been absent for week,
but was expected on the evening train.
Clio went to the depot, but was dis
appointed, as the judge did not come
as she had expected.
She took a roundabout and lonely
course homeward bound. 1t was by
way of the college campus. Clio would
have Indignantly resented a charge
that she hoped to meet Neil, still, he
was on her mind.
There was barren stretch to cover
the half-mile distance 10 home. She
hurried her steps as she passed
wagon with n canvas top. Then she
shrank back and uttered II faint scream
as a man jumped from Its side. He
Grasped her, looked kecnly into her
fhcc and placed u rough hand over her
lips.
"Qulck, Nance. bring a muffier
We've got "a prize. It's the girl we're
after"
A new sensation greeted Brampton
the next morning. Its suspense and
terror lasted through the day ensuing.
Miss Barry had disappeared. Had she
eloped, committed suicide, or been kid
mapped? Mr.. Barry was telegraphed
for. Ned Barry in a frenzy led the
town officers In a vain search for his
missing sister.
Then strange, mysterious rumors
spread about. Neil Osborne was also
missing. All kinds Of theories were
exploited. And the third morning an
automobile drove into town, delivering
Miss Barry at her home and Nell ut
the college.
"Then 1t was no elopement, after
allT' fiuttered Elsa Danvers breath
lessly as she dashed in upon Clio. "oh,
tell us all about II, dearP'
ut was gypsies," pronounced Clio
"gypsles who carried me away to later
seek ransom from dear papa. They
kept me in horrid wagon, gagged
and bound. 1 dropped my jacket out
of the wagon when they let me eat.
Mr.. Osborne, trying to find me, picked
up the clew. And that letter was In
it,"
with the white featherf"
"Of course. And it was directed TO
him, and he read it-poOr fellow.
Brave fellow, thought" enthused Clio.
''for he kept on and on, girls. When
he found me In the gypsy camp, II
you could have seen him fight in turn
six great wicked gypsies! I'm safe
back home only because "a coward
risked his life for me- |" And Clos
eyes glowed with fervor.
Later the truth came out. That night
Of the fracas Nell Osborne knew that
Ned Barry was lying in u stupor of
intoxication In the billiard room and
his assailants in about the same con-
dition. To save a scandal he had ac-
cepted a charge of cowardice.
At their wedding one year later Clio
wore across her bosom as an orna-
ment unique-a white feather, held In
place by a rose.