The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-17
Diamond
Cut
Diamond
*
BY Florence L. Henderson
Observation-Disclosures
Copyright. 1917, by w. G. Chapman.)

AWAY 0S0hNAs
There was a somewhat nettled and
bitter %intonation to the words and
Dexter's friend directed q quick,
searching look at his face. Dexter,
however, pursued the theme no fur
ther. They parted and he went his
way, his chin on his breast, his eyes
lglooming, his whole presentment that
of a man having a grievance and nurs-
Ding it.
He and his friend had just passed
the home of Eleanor Tying. Where the
lawn ran down to a clear, wide long
expanse stood Eleanor and some girl
friends. They were superbly equipped
with bows and arrows, archery outfit,
target and high spirits were all in ac-
cord with eager contests of skill.
Eleanor had noted the two passers-
by. She never looked at Rolfe and
bestowed a mere crisp nod upon his
friend. The latter had admiringly
commented on two center shots Eleanor
had comprised before they got out of
sight of the fair garden spot.
"She won't have another opportu-
nifty to ostracize me-" s%oliloquized
rRolfe determinedly. at seems that
she has decided to blot me out of her
life. All well and good. 1 will go
back to the dull old city law office and
forget her"
Forthwith, On his arrival at home,
Rolfe sat down promptly and wrote his
young law partner, Bert Ravens, that
Tho might nvnnnf him hoaIy Ya-f NInn-
day morning for good. In a way, up
to a week previous Rolfe had decided
to marry Eleanor, locate in Spring
field and give up his old ambition to
metropolitan fame and wealth.
1t was no wonder, for Eleanor had
been a loving fiancee. Everything had
gone smoothly until at a lawn party
one evening Rolfe had made a good
deal of q certain Daisy Worden. 1t
WAS because Daisy was an old flame of
Rolfe's that Eleanor took ~offense. In
turn Eleanor Immediately accepted as
an escort Ross Evans. If there was
anybody in Springfield whom Rolfe
Edisliked 1t was this shallow, presump-
ftious fop. Rolfe escorted Miss Word
en- to her home, and the last Rolfe
saw of Ross the latter was anguish
ing about Eleanor with all the airs of
a successful rival.
They met the next day, Eleanor and
Rolfe. 1t wa fatal to the true soulful
ness of both that each was headstrOng
and resentful. A chance imputation
Of disloyalty from Rolfe was a spark
10 tho tindar of E~laonnr'S Ouioly tom
per. Her snappish retort made him
say more bitter things. The next morn
ing he received by mail the engage
ment ring. Holly excited, Rolfe prompt
by returned to Eleanor her letters and
some keepsakes she had given him.
They had not spoken since.
1t took two days to realize the wreck
of all his happiness, and Eleanor near
ly cried her eyes out over the result
of her wretched pettishness. Neither,
however, would make the first adj
vance. Longing for sympathetic COM
partnership, ROlfe naturally turned to
Daisy. They were a good deal togeth-
er, but Rolfe very SOC realized that
no n could fill the void in his life,
'uAu U1too hOAuCh was IuI1GI DOI6u at
the attentions of an escort always de-
pressed and plainly showing that he
cared nothing for her at heart.
Eleanor followed the system of all
piqued maidens. She f1irted unmerci-
fully with Ross. The latter took this
as homage, but for a marvel he did not
Infringe on this new friendship. In
fact, both he and Daisy had q specious
secret mutually understood, and the
existence guessed at by either
Eleanor or Rolfe until a climax came.
1t came in time, it seemed, eventu-
ating on the evening of the day before
that upon which Rolfe had decided to
leave Springfield forever. All day long
Eleanor had strolled about the garden
jim q sadly dispirited frame of mind.
Some friends had come over for a bout
Sat her favorite pastime, but Eleanor
was in no mood for archery. She ex-
cused herself on the plea of a sick
headache. Her solitude increased aft
Ier her friends had left, for her father
and mother went away late in the aft
Iernoon to be gone on an automobile
Tip u dHOIlST LOWH. was ly~
ling on a couch in her room upstairs
when the housemaid intruded apollo
Igetically.
"Would you mind, Miss Eleanor, if
] took the evening Off instead Of my
regular one, Friday? I have a cousin
to my folks, and I'd like to visit with
her"
"No. Mary. replied Eleanor, II
shall not need you. In an hour or so
4 will lock up and go to bed. 1 am all
tired out"
Heartsick, she should have said, but
of course che would not tell Mary that.
Eleanor heard Mary close the front
door after her as she left the house.
sRhen she went to the open window and
DIT down by 1t and sat staring out at
SLhe fast fading landscape. And then
4 her glance became fixed on a lighted
4 window, not a hundred feet distant.
The Dexters lived the distance of one
intervening lot from the Tying place.
And that light Eleanor well knew was
the room occupied by Rolfe when
e was at home.
He was home just now, as a matter
K fact, but soon to leave it. In fact,
t that moment Rolfe was packing his
hhnk for his anticipated journey on
le first morning train for the city.
D To-