South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-29

the club house windows. over
LOOKING Fifth avenue. Humanity Of
an descriptions Towel hy in an ap-
parentlv ceaseless stream. SNOW
was falling steadily Gnd the warmth
and cheer within the crackie OF the
log fire. the bowls OF blooming how-
ers in the rooms, gave them a feel
ing Of luxurious comfort.
IT'S great 10 have YOU back
again. OLE man" said Frank Foster
smiling at the younger man beside
him. why. it's been FIVE years or
more since you left. Youll have 10
go home with me tonight and see
my wife and the kids. some boys.
believe me- Besides we have three
or four visitors there one OF them.
youu probably remember. Kate
Bryson"
Kate Bryson, Dan Mcconnell
smoked on quietly as il no tumult
had risen within him at mention OF
the girl who had shattered his faith
and set him adrift on strange seas.
He had loved her since they were
children and a year after she had
formally entered society. she had
promising 20 be his wife Then an
other man had come into her life
and she had played the good look
ing westerner AGAINST her fance un-
tia Dan, heart sick 10 find that she
could do a thing so mean and con-
tcmptble. to learn that mis- love was
OF so little value that she could toss
10 away like a playthlng TO be re-
captured at Will. boarded up the
windows and doors Of tho home he
had built for her and sailed for un-
known lands. hoping TO forget
Kate Bryson2" he managed
quite casually. Hasn't she mar
ried yet?"
out OF the corner OF his eye.
Frank Foster regarded him. no. %
he returned As if the subject was
OF no particular importance. 'she
has never seemed 10 ind the one
man Strange isn't it, shes "A re-
markedly handsome woman. You're
going home with me right now. old
fellow. 1 won't take no for an an
swer."
As they entered the Fosters
beautiful home. a sight greeted
their eyes that Dan Mcconnell was
never able TO forget. a young girl
in a soft. billOwy gown OF white. was
coming down the stairs. There was
a cluster CT valley lilies in her silver
girdle
It's little Mildred Bryson, Kate's
sister crown up. if you please" ,
laughed Foster. know who this is,
child?"
Dams heart was warmed by the
eager welcome she gave him.
Dear Dan Mcconnell" she cried.
running toward him. You were
the only one Of Hates friends who
ever treated me as If I were a hu-
man being she said gaily. Il was
always regarded as a small, med
ding imp. You agreed TO marry
me. IL nobody had asked me when
i was 81"
How about it?- queried Dan.
feeling wonderfully young and
strange crept into his gray
eyes. Kate Bryson had joined
them.
She was radiantly beautiful.
statuesque. that cold type of woman
who takes mems hearts as just hon.
age and is too selfish to offer any
thing in return. Had time made her
gentle. wondered Dan, following at
her bidding into the living room, or
was she as Indifferent as she seem
ed? At sight of her, the embers of
his romance stirred family but were
not famed into flame.
\ Mildred is lovely" he said at
-
mon-placc remarks, vainly trying 10
bridge the chasm between them
that time had cut, slowly but sure
~. He was looking back into the
biz hall where the young sister was
holding a little court of all the men
guests
she has always kept her child
ish admiration for you. Dan. ] have
often heard her ask people where
YOU were and when you We're eX-
pected home. She took all-my
pictures OF you" said Kate slowly.
with a little sigh. Il found one OF
them on her desk and over one
corner of the frame she had hung a
little rosary that some priest had
blessed
The little silver crucidx that
keeps a man from harm " quoted
Dan answering a faint. wistful
smile from the girl i'm the hall
Its too bad" went on Kate.
that real romance dies for some of
ass. Why can't We keep our youth
fuI ideals2"
'Perhaps-some OF us do only
we are a little ashamed 20 acknow-
ledge IT," said Dan just as "a serv-
ant announced dinner
To his happy surprise ne found
that Mildred was 20 he his dinner
partner Il was very forward she