The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-04-19

Then as they arose to separate, Aida
seized both hands Of the handsome
young fellow and held In fervent
clasp. meanwhile looking earnestly
into his eyes.
"Who can he be7 And she?" reflect
ed Bruce In troubled way. "Can 1t be
possible that her heart is already en-
gagged and that am blIndly hoping
for love that can never be miner"
Bruce grew depressed and was half
minded to cease his visits to the
Wrenn home. He was mngnanimous
concerning Aidn, for although their re-
lations had been friendly she had
really never given him any definite en-
enlargement us sultor. She WAS no
cOquette, he was sure of thnt, and he
blamed his own sanguine nature for
the daring presumption that Aida's
handclasp had ut times been lingering
and tender, and that her eyes respond.
ed sympathetically to his own ardent
glances.
81 can hardly break the engage
ment for this evening"" meditated
Bruce, but tomorrow"
Aida and himself were to attend n
party at Wildwood. a 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 he recalled that but
for his discovery Of the dry. 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. plens-
ant way In which she received his nt-
tentlons. 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 little cry Of dismay.
n'l. htul SIZE eACiubIHetr ntT IIHIIn
to her throat. 81 have lost the locket."
"Are you sure1" questioned Bruce
solicltously.
"Oh. yes, had 1t when 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 l will
return and whit till the car comes
back on Its return trip. 1t may be that
| you lost the locket on the car"
II shall wait up for your report"
said Aida. VI am very anxious about
the lOcket."
Bruce signaled and halted the car
as 1t returned. At his first question
regarding the locket and chain the
conductor produced the lost article.
Just found It under 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 feared!" he half sronned.
and well he might. for bright ray Of
moonlight revealed 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 rival Bruce
had one thought only In his mInd-to
return the locket to Aida and forget
her.
Just minute. please" spoke II
voice behind him as he nenred the
wrenn home. and Bruce faced a new.
astounding circumstance. Turning, he
confronted the original Of the photo.
graph.
"YOu are SIr. Tyrrell." spoke the
other. 81 have henrd Aida-that Is,
Miss Wrenn-speak Of you and hive
seen you once or twice before this.
| also know you nre her close friend.
VIII you do me great favor? Are
you going to her homer"
YES" answered Bruce, md grufly,
and darkly suspicious.
"Wiil you hand her this note?" and
the other rendered n folded paper.
"Why should II" resented Bruce.
drawing back colby.
"Must l tell your" questioned his
companion. "Yes. I Will. Aida says
you are a 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 the
news to her parents"
"Oh!'
II was passed by rs mere common.
place aspiration by Aidn's brother.in-
law. For Bruce 1t expressed relief.
and hope and Joy. With nlacrity he
accepted the commission and with de-
light. He listened later to AIda's ex-
PLANTATION that her sister Ind left the
locket ut home on her last visit. and
Aida hnd borrowed 1t for the occasion
Of tho marty