The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-02-15
THE QUARTERBREED
The Of Army OHoron
By


I The suddenness of the movement drew
all eyes back to him. His wine-flushed
face had gone white. He met the won
dering look of the man opposite, and
forced smile.
II have still another announcement
to make" he said, lone that you will
all admit to be still more pleasant than
the delightful news Of our gallant
friends summons to wider fields Of
service. Gentlemen-and lady-per-
NIT me to remind you that all the
world loves q lover. This being true,
it follows that all the world must dOu-
bly, love a pair of lovers. 1t is my
privilege and delight to be able to an
nounce that, as l am not at present
free to engage myself, the other men,
Der of the pair, our charming hostess,
has graCiously given her promise to
wait for me-"
He caught up his champagne glass,
which the Indian boy had just refilled.
Gentlemen, here's to the loveliest
girl In the world, the lady who has
given me her true promisew
The commissioners rose-DupOnt
rose. Hardy sat as If stunned, his eyes
fixed upon Marie's face in strained,
half-incredulOus stare. She was very
pale. She seemed to shrink. Yet she
made no attempt to deny Vandervyn's
statements. Hardy stood up with the
other men and, for the first time that
evening, he emptied his champagne
glass.
youth to youth" he murmured
Meeting Vandervyn's exultant smile
he drew in deep breath, and his voice
rang clear and steady: "YOu are tc
be congratulated, sir. wish you the
great good fortune that you may in all
things prove worthy Of the lady's
trust"
Vandervyns flushed face crimsoned
but whether with shame or anger cOulC
not be told. Marie had risen, and hel
tactfulness diverted attention from the
rivals.
"The coffee and cigars will be served
in the parlor," she announced.
Vandervyn somewhat hastily led the
way to the other room. Hardy, being
the farthest away, followed behind the
others. When he came to the door he
coolly closed and bolted it.
Captain !" breathlessly exclaimed
Marie. "What will they think"
"Most Of them are beyond thinking
and they have the whisky bottle" ht
replied. He faced about, and came
back to her.
She shrank before the look in his
eyes.
"You-you have no right" she mur
INJURED. II will go"
"Not until you have heard me. There
may be no other opportunity for me tt
see you alone before l so away" h
said. IL do not wish to reproaCh you
Yet you must realize that your failure
to tell me of your promise to him LEI
me to believe l had fighting chance
"YOu-dO nOt-aSk me to explain,
she faltered.
what is there to eXplain?" he re
joined. you knew that l trusted
your sincerity utterly, and you wer'
willing to amuse yourself with MI
while he was away"
'T-you have no right" she sough
to defend herself. II never led yOV
to believe"
"You told me nothing of that prom
Use to him. l thought you-what yO,
knew l thought you; and all thes
weeks every day How can a woman
look so beautiful-seem so true ant
loving in every word and act-and to-
with the deepest feelings of a man a
you have amused yourself with mine
No, do not attempt to deny the facts
please. 1t will only add to the bitter
ness. l am trying to keep from say
ing harSher things. l cannot hide tn
fact that you have struck me sever
blow. 1t would be easier if you ha
, not insisted upon my coming here tC
night to be made the butt of his mock
cry"
Marie threw up her head, her eye
blazing with indignant sCorn.
"You can believe that of me?
| thought you gentleman" Her voic