The Press., 1918-07-04

eyes were piteous. Mrs. Warren bes gan to cry afresh.
 "NOw that the blowing up of his mine has probably changed his for tune, Fred chivalrously gave Ada q chance for release-and she gave him back his ring. To think of a Warren breaking faith with man because he was down." ScOrn rang In Alice's honest voice.
 "It wasn't that" broke in Ada. 'It was because l thought 1t the right thing to dO-best for the happiness of all. We two are not the only ones concerned. Yesterday afternoon got letter from Howard Vance"
 Here Alice interrupted. "I knew he was back of 1t all--" e+
 Patricia thought of the letter she had delivered to Ada, and sudden memory recalled the story she had heard of sultor of Ada's of whom her family disapproved.
 "He still cares in the same old way. And-Oh i-sO do I. I thought I'd got over that. but when read hIs letter knew hadn't. But didn't have the courage to tell Fred; was a coward. But I kept hoping and praying that something would happen to save us at the last ditch. Of course, didn't want anything bad to happen to Fred, and I'm sorry for his trOuble--but, oh 1 I'm glad to be freel"
 "But, Ada, the criticism, the com ment," weakly deplOred her mother. Besides, we don't like Howard Vance any better than we ever did"
 "He has faults, know, but he'll overcome them with the right woman to help hlm-anyway, I love hlm--I love himl" Ada ended In incoherent tears. It was some time before they could s0othe her, but at last when she was more calm. Patricia slipped away tO her own room.
 Soon, however, the quiet became ln- tOlerable, and she went downstairs. She wanted to learn whether Fred had returned. and if he was going away that night. There was no one in the living room, so she went into the library of the hall, where she could watch for some one who might know.
 Il can do nothing-nothing. can't even fully express my sympathy with out being misunderstood"
 She laid her head down among the sofa cushions, and tears relieved the grief that was in her heart. She did not notice when the front door opened, nor was she aware of some one stand ing In the doorway until voice said:
 "Why, Patricia, you here?"
 She sat up in confusion. Il stayed to hear the outcome of your trip to the station" Furtively she wiped her wet cheeks, glad that the light was well shaded. ,> 4
 He sat down beside her. "When | got there found a night letter. Things at the mine aren't so bad as they were first reported" She could tell by his voice he was much cheered.
 II find on talking to the agent that I make better connection by waiting for the limited tomorrow morning. So I'm not going tonight"
 "Tm very glad things seem better" In her effort for self-cOntrOl Patricia's voice sounded almost cold. But he
 
 There was-a moments silence, then he said: 'Perhsps this isn't the Occa- sion to speak-but in times like this we can lay aside conventions. Prob ably you know Ada's found out she cares more for another man-and, well, care more for another w0m- an." He smiled, but his eyes were pleading and tender. You are first with me, Patricia, you were from the beginning, but you were SO-sO re- serVed-I didn't think there was any hope" There was another moment of tense silence, then he continued: Sometimes, Patricia, the dead past comes back and gives us another chance. Will you turn back, dear, to where we stood before misunderstood ings separated us?"
 She did not speak. She never could in moments of strong emotion.
 If you'll marry me tomorrow, I'll take you to San Antonio; and then when things are more settled on the border, we can begin life again to. gether. Will you cOme?" Still she did not speak, but by. way of answer, drew down his tired young head until his cheek rested against her shining hair. ->
 Though both knew that the nasty wedding would bring surprise and dis approval from some who were dear, and life in the frontier country stretched before them an uncharted sea yet neither regret nor apprehen- sion marred their peace, or dimmed the gladness of this flaming moment that was all their own