Catoctin clarion., 1918-05-30

possible that her heart is already en-
gagged and that l am blindly hoping
for love that can never be mine"
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-
couragement as suitor. She was no
coquette, he was sure OF that, and he
blamed his own sungulne 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
glances.
ment for this evening" meditated
Bruce, "but tomorrown
Aida and himself were to attend a
party at Wildwood, a few miles dis
tant on the trolley line. Bruce called
for her that evening. Never had she
looked so beautiful pretty locket
and chain he had never noticed before
We're her only jeWelry alornments,
! Bruce sighed as he recalled that but
for his discovery Of the day, he in
tended to present her with a friend
! ship ring he carried in his pocket Her
acceptance of It would have decided
him II to the fact that there was some
| real depth to the interest she had man
ifeStcd in him.
And, further, never had she been
more charming In the kindly, pleas
ant way In which she received his at
trntions 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
Aidas home, the latter paused alb
ruptly with little cry of dismay.
"Oh, dear" she exclaimed, her hand
to her throat, II have lost the locket."
"Are you sure?" questioned Bruce
solicitously,
"Oh, 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 jewery.
"Iou had better let me see you
| home," suggested Bruce Then l 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 81 am very anxious about
the lOCket."
Bruce signaled and halted the car
as it returned. At his first question
regarding the locket and chain the
conductor produced the lost article.
Just found 1t under a seat" he ex.
plained, and Bruce FASTENED to i'm.
part the glad news to Aida. He turned
the locket over and over in his hand.
lis upper case came open.
at is as feared. !" he half groaned,
and well he might, for bright ray OF
moonlight revealed circular photo.
graph within the case. 1t was that of
the man he had seen with Aida that
afternoon. Oh, there was no doubt
now of the existenco rival! Bruce
had one thought on his mnd--to
return the locket t, II and forget
her,
Just a minute, please" spoke
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. 81 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 frierd.
viii you do me great favor? Are
you going to her homer"
"Yes," answered Bruce, and grufly
and darkly suspicious.
"Will you hand her this note?" and
the other rendered folded paper
"Why should II" resented Bruce
drawing back coldly.
"NluSt | tell you?" questioned his
companion. Eyes, | will. Aida says
YOU are a man to trust. Well, thtn,
am, secretly married to Aidas sister,
and the note tells her that Marcia will
he here in the morning to break the
news to her parents"
"Oh!"
1t was passed by as a mere common
place aspiration by Alda's hrother-in-
law. For Bruce it expressed relioi,
and hope and Joy. With alacrity h
accepted the commission and with de-
light. He listened later to AiGa's e,,-
planation that her sister had left TIE
locket at home On her last visit, arl
Aida had borrowed it for the occason
of the party.
And then Bruce felt that he shoui
also unburden his heart which he did,
and graciously Aida listened to him.
and the white moonlight irradiatcI
two glowing, happy faces as Bruce
kissed his flancee good night at TIL
garden gate.