The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-04-04
Queen
Of Hearts
BY MIRABEL DEVEREAUx
Copyright 1918. Western Newspaper Union,

| Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper union.I
How lovely!" murmured Madge
Burrell, In real rapture.
! at is more than a beautiful scene,"
uttered Merton Bland, at her side, and
I he would have liked to have told her
how more than lovely was she her.
self.
He had determined to tell her more
than that before the evening was over
and was awaiting the opportunity.
| Now they were in the midst of q chat
ting group. He and his companion
were promenading in the beautiful
garden of palatial summer home.
Bland had never met Miss Burrell
until week previous. She and her
mother were guests at the pretty re-
| sort hotel on the lake, like himself. He
learned that they lived in the city
where he did. Her family was In COM
| Portable circumstances and socially
well connected. She had attracted
him from the first and on the present
| occasion circumstances had favored
him. It was "a heart party" given by
| pied a sumptuous home, and who had
invited nearly all the hotel guests to
the function.
The rooms in the house were strung
with paper hearts, each guest wore one
as an occasion badge. cluster Of
electric lights formed a henrt-shaped
symbol over the porch. The ball room
entered into the same scheme of deco
ration. and confections and viands
harmonized to carry out the general
heart effect.
There were heart features as to at
| tire and some pretty conceits In heart
| coiffures, blazing with diamonds, scarfs
in heart shapes, robes in heart pat
| terms.
| Mndge and Merton had been dis
tinguished and the latter made fair
augury from the circumstance. At the
start of the festivities a king and queen
of hearts were selected by lot. Madge
drew the lucky number and became
Queen of Hearts" A great wave Of
glowing delight swept the spirit Of
Merton as he was awarded the prize
of the kingly crown. The emotion was
wildly enhanced as he caught shy,
pleased expression in Madge's lovely
eyes. The light crowns they were re-
quired to wear We're of tawdry tinsel.
but the honor and pride of the prefer
ence won became an element of haF-
mony and pleasure.
They led the first dance by imperial
privilege. They alone occupied thrones
at the supper table. Madge was sum-
moned by a group of chatting girl
friends, and Merton sank to a shrub
berry shaded rustic bench to dream
blssfully of his love until she re-
turned.
Suddenly he reused up Just beyond
him out of view but not of hearing
was a group of people. Twice Merton
caught the name "AI'SS Burrell." and
| then fragments of chatter: Good FINN
| ily," "She has artistic and literary
tastes" Then the music of the or
chestra drowned out the conversation.
| Then again Miss Burrell," and then
later, Engaged to marry the rich
bankers son. Charles Truman"
Merton Bland came to his feet with
a shock He grew sick Mt heart. Earth
and all its Joys seemed fading away
from him. He had mistaken natural
kind heartedness in Miss Burrell for
an interest in him. and now he saw his
folly, he realized the hopelessness Of
his case. He staggered away from the
spot Then he tried to rally his nor
NAL senses and dainty hand rested
on his arm-Madge's.
"Oh, Mr. Bland have heard a
wonderfully pleasing piece of news and
| feel so honored, so glad. l know an
author, real one, too"
"Tndeed?" he spoke and was glad as
she guided their progress to seat.
| ayes. oh. you have been so modest
Here learn that you are the writer OF
one of my favorIte books, Natures
Paradise Please, please, tell me how
YOU think up all those beautiful de-
scriptons of flowers, and butterflies,
and the birds"
He replied to her with vague com
monplace words, seeking to evade the
subject. She noticed how changed was
his manner, how pale he was.
"You are ill.," she questioned, quick
| Iy and solicitOuSly
| "NO, Miss Burrell." he replied, ~ am
feeling regr"tful that my kindly as
! sumption must so soon end, an occa-
| sion where YOU have strven to he kind
| and friendly. hope amid it all have
not presumed upon that consideration.
| I am going back to the city tomorrow.
Before 60 | wish to congratulate
YOU" Oh-hOw hard 1t was to speak
the words Upon your approaching
marriage with Mr.. Charles Truman. l
| know him slightly. He is most estim-
able gentleman"
"Oh. dear! have you too heard that
foolish story? 1t is my cousin. Miss
Rhea Burrell, who is engaged to Mr..
Truman. I am more fortunate than
she"
'Fortunate?'
81 call it so. Confidentially, Rhea
has married for money and position"
Could anything be painer-her adj
miration of his literary gifts, her pref
orence for sterling worth rather than
fortune. Merton had removed his
crown He was lingering it nervouSly
as he said, 81 must speak further Miss
Burrell | love you. Have I offended
YOU? Then may never wear my crown
beside the Queen of Hearts again"
He read in her eyes his answer, and
she spoke it in words.
Resume your crown, oh, my king"