The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-08
THE TEST
BY EARL REED SlLVERS.

vacation was rapidly approaching 1t!
close and Eleanor was troubled. Sht
did not want to 60 back again to thu
hustle and hustle Of the city she want
ed to stay at Seacliffe, where she coult
see Ned Stanley every morning, moor
and night. For Eleanor had begun tt
care very much for Ned, and In hel
heart of hearts she admitted to herself
that she hoped Ned had begun to care
for her.
1t had been a wonderful week. Dur
ing the first part Of her stay at Sea-
cliffe Eleanor had simply sat around
the hotel porch. dressed in the proper
gowns. doing the proper things In the
proper way. But just week ago Ned
had appeared, and after that things
were different.
Eleanor gazed thoughtfully over the
sun-kissed ocean. She looked rather
hopefully up and down the broad piaz-
"a but the object of her thoughts was
nowhere to be seen. He was late for
supper, but directly after the meal
he met her on the steps of the hotel.
Hello. little lady in white" was
his method Of greeting. "What shall
we do tonight?'
Just stay around, guess" Her
blue eyes rested questioningly on his.
"Don't you want to-"
II sure do" There was the slight
est hint Of laughter in his voice. ut
means the last time we will be to-
gether in Seacliffe."
"We've had wonderful time, haven't
wee" She seated herself behind him
on the porch.
Just fine" He spoke enthusiast
tically. But we're going to keep right
on having good times. aren't we?'
do you mean after we 60 back to
the city?"
''Of course"
She smiled a little twisted smile
which bcrdered on the pathetic.
'Oh, you know how things always
are after summer vacation. People
forget"
"But we're not going to-" He spoke
earnestly. Surely we'll see each other
In New York."
But how about all the girls you
have told me about; girls in your own
set. like Gladys Romano and Beverly
Baldwin,"
"Thcy don't count now" he said.
'But they Will count" she persisted.
''You'1i want to go to dances and house
parties just as ycu used to, and you'll
forget all about this summer-and
me-"
He smiled away her doubts. /
II couldn't forget about you," he /
said.
"All right. let's don't talk about it."
She laughed lightly, but her eyes were
troubled.
Side by side they made their way
into the ballroom, and it was not until
after midnight that Eleanor reverted
to the conversation Of the early eve
ming.
This is our last time together" she
said softly.
'What do you mean?" He looked up
quickly.
after tonight you mustn't see me
any more" She tried to speak casu-
ally, but there was tremor in her
voice which all her attempt at bravery
could not conceal.
'Oh. you don't mean that" he pro-
tested. II thought we were going to
see each other lots" (
mo. I--guess it's all over, after .
tonight"
He rose and stood so that the light /
rom the moon shone directly into her !
ACE.
Are You engaged?" There was a !
lurt looI in his eyes. +.
$40"
He sighed relievedly. {
"Then there isn't any reason why 1 (
ant see you"
''There is. Won't you please take
ny word for it and not try tor she b
Headed. ;,
He glanced down half angrily. Her E
yes were bordered with tears, and, as Z
re watched. one large drop quivered
the moonlight and rolled down her y
heeks. In an instant he was sitting =
eside her, her head pillowed on his
boulder.
oh, you mustn't see me any more"
be sobbed. "My name isn't Eleanor
'iieigh at all; it's just plain Ellen
.eiiiy, and I'm a stenographer down.
,wn."
He raised her face to his.
"And do you think that will make
ny diferenceY'
Yes. 1t WILL" Her hand rested ON
. arm. IT you were only like people
know. things would be all right. But
'u're not you're rich"
"You mustn't talk like that. dear"
. said softly. II love you: that's all
at matters"
Through veil Of tears she smiled
, at him.
SAnd you care, no matter what
NJ she asked happily.
Yes more than all the world
Hastily she wiped the tears from
r eyes
TIM glad, Ned" she announced. and