The Monticellonian., 1918-05-03


ed Bruce in a troubled way. Can it be
! possible that her heart is already en-
! gagged and that | am blindly hoping
for love that can never be nline?"
Bruce grew depressed and was halt
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 sutton. She was nc
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 sympathetically TO his own ardent
chances.
81 can hardly break the engage
ment for this evening" meditated
Bruce. but tomorrow"
Aida and himself were to attend q
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 jewelfy adornments.
Bruce sighed as he recalled that but
for his discovery of the day, he in
tended to present her with Il friend
ship ring he carried in his pocket. Her
acceptance of il would have decided
him as to the fact that there was some
real depth to the interest she had man.
ifested 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 a
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
Alda's home, the latter paused alb
ruptly with Il little cry of dismay.
'Oh, dear" she exclaimed, her hand
to her throat, Il have lost the locket."
Are you sure?" questioned Bruce
solicitously.
ooh, yes. | had 1t when | got aboard
the car"
She shook her dress and they re-
traced their way to the trolley station.
1t 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 its return trip. 1t may be that
you lost the locket on the car"
81 shall wait up for your report.
said Aida. Il am very anxious about
the loclet.'
Bruce signaled and halted the car
as it returned. At his first question
regarding the loeket and chain the
conductor produced the lost article.
"Just found it under seat" he ex-
planned, and Bruce FASTENED to i'm
part the glad news to Aida. He turned
the locket over and over in his hand.
Its upper case eame open.
at is as l feared = he half groaned,
and well he might, for bright ray of
moonlight revealed circular photo
graph within the case 1t VAS that of
the man he had seen with Aida that
afternoon. oh, there was no doubt
now of the existence of rival Bruce
had one thought only iii his mind-tO
return the loeket 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.n spoke the
other Il have heard Aida-that is,
Miss Wrenn-speak of you and have
seen you once or twice before this.
| also know You are her close friend.
Will you do me Il great favor? Are
you going to her homer
Yes" answered Bruce, and grufIiy,
and darkly suspicious.
''Will you hand her this note?" and
the other rendered folded paper.
why should II" resented Bruce,
drawing back coldly.
Must | tell your questioned his
companion. Yes, | will. Aida says
you are man to trust. Well. then,
| am secretly married to Aidas sister,
and the note tells her that Marcia will
be here in the morning to break the
news to her parents"
OH
1t was passed by as a mere common.
place aspiration by Aida's brother-in-
law. For Bruce it expressed relief,
and hope and joy. With alacrity he
accepted the commission and with de-
light. He listened later to Aida's ex-
PLANTATION that her sister had left the
locket ut home on her last visit, and
Aida had borrowed it for the occasion
of the party
And then Bruce felt that he should
also unbur(len his heart, which he did,
and graciously Aida listened to him.
and the White moonlight irradiated
two glowing. happy faces as Bruce
kissed his fianeee good night at the
garden gate.
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