Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1918-05-02

into his eyes.
"WhO can he be7 And shef" reflect
ed Bruce In troubled way. Can II be
possible that her heart Is already en-.
gagged and that l am blindly hoping
for q love that can never be mine1"
Bruce grew depressed and was half
minded to cease his visits to the
Wrenn home. He was magnanimOus
concerning Aida. for although their re-
lations had been friendly she had
really never given him any definite en-.
enlargement as a sultor. She was no
coQuette. he was sure of that, and he
blamed his own sanguine nature for
the daring presumption that Aida's
handclasp had at times been lingering
and tender, and that her eyes respond.
ed alphabetically to his own ardent
| glances.
II can hardly break the engage
ment for this evening"" meditated
Bruce. 'but tomorrow
Aida and himself were to attend a
party at Wildwood. few miles dis
tant on the trolley line. Bruce called
for her that evening. Never had she
looked so beautiful. A pretty locket
and chain he had never noticed before
were her only jewelry adornments.
Bruce sighed as be recalled that but
for his discovery Of the day, he in
tended to present her with friend
ship ring he carried In his pocket Her
acceptance Of It would have decided
him as to the fact that there was some
real depth to the interest she had man.
Tested In him.
And, further. never had she been
more charming In the kindly, pleas
ant way In which she received his at
tentions. He partly took heart OF
hope that he might be entertaining q
suspicion without foundation. Still,
he was constrained and unhappy all
the evening.
As they left the trolley car on the
return trip and proceeded towards
Aids's home. the latter paused alb
ruptly with little cry Of dismay.
"Oh, dear" she exclaimed. her hand
to her throat. ~ have lost the locket."
"Are you surer' questioned Bruce
solicitously.
'Oh, yes. I had II when l got aboard
the car"
She shook her dress and they re.
traced their way to the trolley station.
II was bright moonlight. but their
searching eyes discovered no trace
Of the missing article Of jewelry.
"You had better let me see you
home" suggested Bruce. "Then will
return and wait till the car comes
back on It's return trip. II may be that
you lost the locket on the car"
II shall wait up for your report"
said Aida. II am very anxious about
the locket."
Bruce signaled and halted the car
as IL returned. At his first question
regarding the locket and chain the
conductor produced the lost article.
"Just found II under a seat" he ex.
planned, and Bruce hastened to I'm.
part the glad news to Aida. He turned
the locket over and over In his hand
Its upper case came open.
1T Is as I fearedl" he half groaned,
and well he might. for bright ray OF
moonlight revealed circular photo
graph within the case. II was that Of
the man he had seen with Aida that
afternoon. Oh. there was no doubt
now OF the existence Of a rival! Bruce
had one thought only In his mind-to
return the locket to Aida and forget
her.
Just minute. please" spoke a
voice behind him as he neared the
Wrenn home, and Bruce faced new
astounding circumstance. Turning. he
confronted the original Of the photo.
graph.
"You are Mr.. Tyrrell," spoke the
other. II have heard Aida-that u.s.
Miss Wrenn-speak Of you and have
seen you once or twice before this
! also know you are her close friend
VIII you do me n great favor2 Are
you going to her homer
"Yes." answered Bruce, and grufiiy
and darkly suspicious.
"Will you hand her this note?" and
the other rendered a folded paper.
"Why should II" resented Bruce
drawing back coldly.
Must tell your questioned his
companion. ayes, l will. Aida says
you are man to trust. Well, then
| am secretly married to Aida's sister
and the note tells her that Marcia will
be here In the morning TO break tn,
news TO her parents"
"ohw
II was paAed by as a uere common
place aspiration BY Aida's brother.in
law. For Bruce II expressed relief
and hope and Joy. With alacrity he
accepted the commission and with de-
light. He listened later TO Aida's *
PLANTATION that her sister had left the
locket at home on her last visit, and
Aida had borrowed II for the occasion
Of the party.
And then Bruce felt that he should
also unburden his heart. which he did
and sraciously Aida listened to him
and the white moonlight irradiatet
two glowing. happy faces as Bruc,
kissed his f,ancee good night at the
garden gate.