Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-01-26
Continued from last week.

'You forget that I am soldier" he
replied. Army life is life Of serv-
ice. You will now understand why
most army women are army girls be-
fore they are army wives"
"Ah--but if q woman loves - MUIR
INJURED Marie, and her gaze sank with
the dropping of her silken lids. "Alas-
ka must be a magnificent land to Wis
it."
Vandervyn was bending to seat HIM
self. He Strengthened as if struck.
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 a smile.
II have still another announcement
to make" he said, zone 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-pcr-
nit me to remind you that ali the
world loves a 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 10 an
nounce that, as / am not at present
free to engage myself, the other mem
Der of the pair, our charming hostess,
has graciOusly given her promise to
wait for me-"
He caught up his champagne glass;
II, ~, Tn h1 i,Ict I'D
Gentlemen, here's 20 the loveiest
girl in the world, the lady who has
given me her true promise !"
The commissioners rose-DUpOnt
rose. Hardy sat as if stunned his eyes
fixed upon Marie's face in 4 strained,
half-incredulOus stare. She was very
pale. She seemed to shrink. Yet she
made no attempt to deny Yanderyyn'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 Vandorvyn's exultant smile,
he drew in Il deep breath, and his voice
rang clear and steady: You are to
be congratulated, sir. | wish YOU the
great good fortune that you may in all
things prove worthy of the lady's
trust
Vande1vyn's flushed face ciimsOned,
but whether with shame or anger could
not be told. Marie had risen, and her
tactfulness diverted attention from the
rivals.
The coffee and cigars will be served
in the parlor,' she announced.
VanGervyn somewhat hastily led the
way to the other room. Hardy, beng
lie furtnest away. followed behind the
others. When he came to the door re
c00lly closed and bolted it.
"Captain!' breathlessly exclaimed
Marie. what will they think?"
Most of them are beyond thinking,
and they have the whisky bottle" he
replied. He faced about, and came
back to her.
She shranz before the look in his
eyes.
"You-you have no right" she MUIR
INJURED. II will go"
Not until you have heard me. There
may be no other opportunity for me to
see you alone before | go away" he
said. 81 do not wish to reprOach you.
Yet you must realize that your failure
to. tell me of your promise to him led
me to believe | had a fighting chance"
'YOu-dO nOt-ask me to explain"
she faltered.
what is there to explain?" he re-
joined. you knew that [ trusted
your sincerity utterly, and you were
willing to amuse yourself with me
while he was away"
'I-yOu have no right" she sought
% defend herself. Il never led you
to believe"
you told me nothing of that prom
Sc to him. l thought you-what you
knew | thought y0H: and all these
weeks, every day How can a woman
looE so beautiful-seem so true and
loving in every word and act-and toy
with the deepest feelings of man as
you have amused yourself with mine?
No, do not attempt to deny the facts,
please. 1t will only add to the bitter
ness. 1 am trying to keep from say
ing harsher things. | cannot hide the
fact that you have struck me Il severe
blow. 1t would be easier if you had
not insisted upon my coming here to-
night to be made the butt of his mock
cry"
Marie threw up her head, her eyes
blazing with indignant scorn.
You can believe that of me? l
thought you a gentieman!" Her voice
hardened. you have been served as
you deserve. And now l am glad
glad y
He turned about and went out
through the parlOr. The other men
were blinking glasses in jolly gOod-fel-
IOWship. Dupont Waveringly offered
him the whisky bottle. He thrust it
back and left the house.
CHAPTER XIX.