The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-06-22

| y
seemed to whisper to her at times
Then rs they arose to separate, Aida
seized both hands of the handsome
young fellow and held in a feryent
clasp, meanwhile looking earnestly
| into his eyes.
who can he be? And she?" reflect
ed Bruce in troubled way. Can 1t be
| possible that her heart is already en-
| gagged and that l am bIiudly hoping
for love that can never be mine?"
Bruce grew depressed and was half
minded to cease his visits 10 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 sutton. 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 sympathetlcally to his own ardent
| glanceS.
Il can hardly break the engage
mHnt for this evening" facilitated
Bruce, but tomorrow !"
Aida and himself were TO attend n
party at Wildwood. n few miles dis
tant on the trolley line Bruce called
for her that evening. Never had she
looked 50 beautiful. A pretty locket
and chain he had never noticed before
were her only jewelry adornments.
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 1t 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
Aida's home, the latter paused alb
ruptly with a little cry of dismay.
"Oh, dear!" she exclaimed, her hand
to her throat, Il have lost the lOcket."
"Are you SureT questioned Bruce
solicitously.
''Oh, yes, l had 1t when l 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 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"
Il shall wait up for your report"
said Aida. Il 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-
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 came open.
1T Is as feared" he half groaned,
and well he might, for bright ray Of
moonlight revealed a circular photo
graph within the case. It 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 a minute. please" spoke
voice behind him as he neared the
Wrenn home, and Bruce faced a new,
astounding circumstance Turning, he
confronted the original of the photo
graph.
"You are Mr.. Tyrrell," spoke the
other. Il have heard Aida-that Is,
Miss Wrenn-speak Of you and have
seen you once or twice before this.
l also know you are her close friend.
VIII you do me great favor? Are
you going to her homer
Yes" answered Bruce, and gruff1y,
and darkly suspicious.
"Will you hand her this note?" and
the other rendered q folded paper.
why should II" resented Bruce.
drawing back cOldly.
Must 1 tell your" questioned his
companion. Yes, l will. Aida says
you are man to trust. Well, then, |
l am secretly married to Aida's sister,
and the note tells her that Marcia will |
be here in the morning to break the
news to her parents"
"Ohw
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 at home on her last visit, and |
Aida had borrowed it for the occasion
Of the party.
And then Bruce felt that he should |