Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-02

this was the worst.
There would have been something
like comfort In his not remembering
the girl he had made love to had 1t not
been that he shrank from doing a dis
honorable act The girl, not receiving
a visit from him, would suppose that
he intended to jilt her and would be
too proud tn trouble him again. But
from such a position he shrank. And
would she not tell some friend who
would tell another and the matter
finally get to Lena?
There were SO many awful things
that might grow out Of his relapse
that he resolved to Danish them all.
With one kick he removed the bed
clothes and in few minutes was driv-
ing tho blood out of his head with a
shower bath, Then when dressed he
sailed forth for breakfast.
Time was when New Years day was
devoted to calls, This custom having
passed away # is holiday without
any especial object. Andrews wished
that he could relieve his mind by work.
During the afternoon he received by
messenger n note from Lena. A new
shock greeted him when he read It:
Mr.. Andrews-After what occurred last
night I do not consider It necessary to
keep you waiting year for an answer.
which may AZ we'll be given now In the
negative. am aware of what passed be-
tween you and my new rival. regret
that am not Indifferent as to your ac-
ton. but II is better that I should suffer
now than as your wife. Trusting that
you may be happy with the girl with
whom you exchanged tokens, am your
weliwisher. LENA.
Frank rested his elbows on his knees
and his head in his palms and groaned.
He saw no hope anywhere. The night
before on account of his constitutional
failing no had been required to walt
year before being accepted by the
girl he loved; now no had to wait for
ever. In his position with regard to
Lena no forgot his position to this
Gwen. whoever she might be. What
should lie do to palliate his offense
to Lena? He did not sec that he could
do anything
1t Is questionable IL there was ever
Il lover who was without hope till
the lady OF his love had passed to an
other, and Frank Andrews was no ex-
ception. About o'clock In the even
ing he called Lena on the telephone.
"Will you be at home this eveningT
he asked
Eyes"
May calf"
Il shall be pleased to see you"
There was nothing in the replies or
the tone of voice In which they were
spoken either to reassure or discourage
him AZ to an ultimate forgiveness. He
would go TO Lena and see what he
could do.
Lena kept him waiting few min
utes, then entered the room where he
was with neither vindlctiveness nor
encouragement, He judged that It
was Indifference.
II received your note" he said
gloomily. II thought I would come to
at least say goodby."
"You began your trial at 10 o'clock
on Dec 81 and proved your inconstan-
cy at / o'clock on Jan. OF the next
year. You were true to me just three
hours"
you remember how much cham
pagne'--
"You can't plead that you didn't
know what you were doing You
did not drink wine enough to mar
your memory Of me- Besides, II true,
that would be no excuse"
Driven from this expedient, Frank
concluded TO try another
"You see, Gwen and l were play
mates when we were children. used
to carry her books to and from school.
had no idea then and have never had
since that she thought any more OF
me than any other fellow presume
something said last night sounded to
her like lovemaking, and she-well,
she, thinking that / OF course
couldn't turn her down In a brutal
fashion. you know
Lena burst into laugh.
"Frank Andrews. you are the big.
gest humbug have even known IN the
whole course Of my life"
II swear
"Don't commit perjury"
"Then You will not permit me to ex-
plainT''
"1'here IL no need Of an explanation
from you. 1t must come from me-"
Frank looked at her In bewllderment
There IL no such person as Gwen.
Last night II occurred TO me - play a
Joke on you. have for years w0rn'a
sort OF amulet around my neck-a gold
locket. saw Charlie Hartwcll ask
you for n pencil. and you handed him
your gold pencil case. took It from
Charlie and didn't give It back to him
Here II is."
A relieved smile began to break out
on Franks face
"Handing Charlie my gold heart, /
asked him 10 slip It into your vest pOck-
ct. He did 40 while you were engaged
in an animated discussion with Alma
Wardswell You forgot your pencil
and did not know about the heart be.
Ing put IN your pocket. The rest II
easy for you to understand without
my saying anything more"
Frank made one bound for her.
And that's the end Of the story. lie
made a blum himself later on, telling
Lena that she should either marry him
as soon as she could get her trousseau
together or she could not marry him
at all. The matter was compromised
by a six months trial period, during
which Frank behaved himself very
well, and the nnptlals were duly cele-
brated
f. q R - n Z. HI