The Denver star., 1918-07-20
The CoNs0LER
BY AGNES G. BRoeAN.
'stSsSSSssS<StSSSxSSsS IrCsS.
Copyright. 1913. Western Newspaper Union

out to where the water rlppled in the
sunlight. How he had dreaded short
time ago the sailing Of that great YES
sci which should carry him to fight
for his country! Not that Ned Seaton
was a coward His very being thrilled
at the privilege Of service, but there
was the sorrow Of leaving Honor be-
hind; Honor, whose name had proved
bitter mockery.
Always she had seemed to belong to
him, back from kindergarten days.
and each Transforming year had but
made her more desirable. How proud
she had been when he had enlisted In
the navy! What plans they had made
together for his triumphant return
Honor was to be the guiding star Of
his absent existence, the reward Of
wars toll. And now-only last night
Unexpectedly and cruelty, he had read
of her marriage.
She had hastily married soldier
departing for France. Ned knew the
fellow well, but no one had suspected
attachment between "Seaton's sweet
heart" and Jack Towne.
Moodily he watched the great wa
ters, discouragement tugging at his
heart. If only he might be called to
fierce, all-absorbing battle; instead Of
this unbearable silent waiting. Near
him halted light-running car. He was
unaware of a girl at the wheel until
her voice challenged him.
"Off duty?" she called pleasantly.
"Would you like spin down the
road?"
The invitation was an unusual, yet
familiar one. 1t had become an estab-
| lished custom for passing automo-
bilists to pick up soldiers or sailors
along the route, carrying them for an
hour or so, away from the monotony of
camp. But 1t was not often that a
solitary girl driver gave the invitation.
II Just dropped grateful soldier a
few miles below" she said.
Ned Seaton shook his disconsolate
head. mo, thank you," he answered.
/ But the girl persisted.
ut will do you good" she suggested,
"and, was going to ask afterward, to
be shown through the barracks"
There was something very con-
| tagious In the boyish frankness Of her
smile, and scarcely realizing his own
| capitulation, Ned Seaton entered the
| little car.
"Isn't this exhilaratIng?" she flashed
at him. "I felt it duty to insist upon
resculng you, Mr.. SeatOn; you had the
| appearance OF being about to commit
suicide"
Ned stared. "YOu know me, then p
ne questioned. ut is strange that I
should have forgotten meeting you"
"You haven't forgotten" the girl re-
piled. tive have never met, vet I am
more in your confidence perhaps than
your nearest friend. II I conld pre-
tend to be a crystal gazer,' Mr.. Sea-
ton. might tell you the tragic story
of your life"
There was mischief In the girls
lovely eyes. The sailor leaned for
ward curiously. "Will you pretend
that you are a crystal gazer and tell
met" he said.
| For answer she brought her car to
a stop beneath a cluster Of trees and
gave him her undivided attention.
Crystal gazers must be pardoned
seeming rudeness II they would mar
/ rate truthfully," she began. II see in
your lifelong companionship severed
trust betrayed. and the woman you
loved welded to another. But she was
not wholly to blame, neither was her
, falthlessness deliberate. She believed
| in the genuineness of her affection for
you until absence proved that she
could care for another more. When
this discovery came to her, she still
tried to be true. But the coming de-
parture of the man who had won her
heart left no doubt as to her own feel
ings. 1t was at a farewell party given
by this mans sister that he claimed
the promise which resulted in their
marriage yesterday. Tomorrow he
| leaves for abroad. And you will be
wise to forget dream which was only
dream after all. and look for the big
ger things to come"
"You know me SO WELL" he said,
will you not tell me your name?"
Smilingly the girl considered. II
pass this way frequently" she told
him. upon our last drive together
you shall know"
He was more than curious when the
| light car again flashed around the cor
ner. He was proud to take her
through the barracks, she was SO very
good to look upon and nod here and
there showed that she was not unac-
quainted.
II have been thinking" confiled the
girl as they rode down the tree-bor-
dered road together, "ot possible Sc
quel to your life story. The soldier
who married is but soldier after all /;
| danger threatens abroad. Who may
! tell Of war; A sailor might still come
back to find free the woman he loved"
"The woman loved was the one I
loved" said Ned Seaton, "and that IL
: Il / L