The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-26
From Our Last Issue.

| must have been sleeping very
soundly when Alec stole into my
room at twelve-thirty. l didn't
know he was in the house, until
| felt his hand on my shoulder
and his gentle, Hello, Bobbie!" l
woke up with a glad start and
found him sitting on the side of my
bed. my. what a sleeper!" he said
and leaned down and kissed my
forehead.
Alec" / said, you've brought
good news. I know It! l had
feeling that this trip to New York
would be a lucky one."
I've been farther than New
York, Bobbie. I've been to Pine
hurst. North Carolina" Alec an
nounced.
To Pinehurst! Mercy! What
ever in the world--do tell me ev-
cry word. I'm simply crazy to
hear all about It,"
well" he began, Say. Bob
bikins," he broke off, would you
be very much surprised to know
that it is-all right between Edith
and me?"
Edith" | gasped.
Yes" went on Alec gently;
Edith Campbell. OF course you've
known I've cared for no one else
for the last ten years. The bust
ness and our large family have al
ways made II seem rather hopeless.
But when l was in New York l
had common little picture post
card from Edith, who was at
Pinehurst, and your disgraceful
old brother here dropped every
thing and went down there. | was
there for six whole days, and she
and her family and l all all come
home together tonight. She's
actually got ring in a little vel
vet box which she's going to wear
for me little later, Bobbie." He
tried to say 1t lightly. but his
whole voice was exulting.
why, Alec Vars!" l managed
to gasp, and then the horror of his
news flashed over me. The man
loved best in the whole world
had just told me that he was en-
gagged to be married to girl
whom I abhorred!
Alec leaned forward and kissed
me hard.
you little brick OF Bobbie!
knew you'd take it like a soldier"
| gulped down a disgusting sob.
The hall clock struck one. I
lgrasped the blessed sound like
sinking man.
Us that twelve-thirty, one, or
one-thirty? l haven't the ghost OF
an idea," I said lightly. Then des-
perately, at the breaking point,
gasped, "Is It cold out?"
Alec patted my hand.
Brave girl! I understand. But
don't you worry. Everything will
work out all right. Now I'll say
goodnight"
7 l think Alec must have seen
couldn't hold in much longer.
/ was, in fact, using every atom of
strength that I possessed to fight
that pushing, showing, tumbling
crowd OF Jumps and sobs in my
throat. Just as Alec was closing
my door / managed to call after
, him. SO that he might know that
wasn't crying, BE sure and turn
out the lights"
All right, General-manager."
Then my door closed, and I
sank down on my pillow, opened
the gate wide, and let the torrent
of sobs rush through.
Can any one realize the torture
OF my mind during the long dark
hours Of that nightf
l hated Edith Campbell. All my
life I had hated her. She had
, always treated Alec like the dirt
under her feet. Alec invited her
to be his special guest, at his Class
Day, when he graduated from col
Ilege. But she elected to go with
Isomebody else, and pranced down
there with millionaire's son.
Poor Alec didn't invite any other
Igirl.
never understood why Alec ad-
mired her. She's absolutely oppo-
site from my brother in every
possible way. She has the most
confident, cock-surest manner I
ever witnessed. Her clothes are
dreadfully flashy and her father is
mere upstart who squeezes
money out of everybody he knows.
Hilton criticised Edith Camp
bell before it commenced bowling
and scraping to her. When she
came home from boarding school,
she let 1t be known that her init
mate friends lived outside Of Hill
ton. She merely tolerated Hilton
and its people.
1t was nine o'clock the morning
after Alec told me his astonish-
Ing news. when I went downstairs
for an attempt at breakfast. Ruth
was devouring eggs when I went
into the dining room. I had
thought she would be at school,
but had forgotten that 1t was Sat
urday. Alec had already gone to |