The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-12-18
| THE DARKEST HOUR.
by JACK LAYTON.

| low into cleaning silver. For hours
the girl had tossed restlessly upon her
| pillow. until at last she had arisen and
dressed. hoping. when the last guest
Of the hotel retired within doors. to
slip out unseen and settle her prob
lem in the open silence of the might.
Money. not just enough to he com
| Portable In her own home. but money
sufficient to satisfy all the pent-up de-
slres Of her heart. She might travel.
she might see luxurlously the won
drous sights Of the world; she might
have at hand the white-trellised CUR
den which had long been her dream
the monotonous office with its weary
routine would be forever banished II
she would but accept the conditions Of
her querulous old uncle's will and Its
condition was a husband of his choos-
ing.
Leila knew slightly this man whom
her uncle favored with his choice. and
the "knowing" had caused her sleep
less night. Tomorrow she must give
her answer. II was the last day Of de-
cree. She hated the chosen mans
sneering smile. she hated the shrewd-
ness of his cold eyes. but she knew
that he would willingly enact his part
because Of the prize in store.
II was like Uncle Jared to select
such a man rs custodian of his accu-
INFLATED wealth; this new secretary
had won the old mans admiration by
his cautious cleverneSs. as Leila had
won ii. by her devotion through one OF
his Illnesses.
Now the girl came slowly like
white wrath down the moonlit sands
and seated herself there TO watch the
across the waters. she must have made
her decision. The breeze lifted gently.
the curling ends of the long braid
which hung over her shoulder. she had
not waited TO fasten up her beautiful
hair for she was sure OF being alone.
Yet back among the purple shadows
another figure moved at her approach.
Il beg your pardon" he said frankly.
'I-thought should be quite alone
here at this hour; or" he bent smiling
to look into Leila's face-"have l sur
prlsed the spirit OF morning."
II came--to settle a troubled ques-
tion," she answered him seriously.
THE moonlight seemed TO point down
this path and l also wished to be
alone"
The man fingered. "why. that was
my case exactly" he said. II was
threshlng things out by myself up
there In the hotel and my disappoint-
ment seemed too big for the indoors.
so brought ii out"
disappointment" queried the girl.
All at once the stretching beach with
Its deep shadows was an alarming ex-
panse in which to be alone. Childish
ly she longed for companionship and
companionship was near. This very
nice young man with the kind eyes
might In some indirect way even help
her In her decision.
Disappointment" she questioned
again encouragingly and he dropped
down beside her on the sands.
Something" he began, "the hour
perhaps. or the sympathetic interest
of your tone. urges me 10 be conf
Dental.
II have been studying most Of my
life. you see, with an object to accom-
plish-the central object Of my future
career. To the furtherance of this ac-
complishment has been held out to me
an encouraging promise of financial
support. depended upon II for | knew
that l could double the money be
slowed. without 1t. at present. l am
helpless, and after years Of laboriously
getting the necessary money together
II would probably be too late for the
fufillment OF my dreams.
LAST night only learned that the
old friend who had heen so enthusi-
astically Interested in my enterprise
and who had given the promise Of Its
support, had died during my recent alb
sence and had made hasty will leav-
ing ali his property to niece upon
condition that she marry his latest sec
oht VIM III SWIM Wy
gained ,he old mans favor. The win.
of course. is just. Heretofore l had no
knowledge of this niece's existence.
My friend, Jared Long. died at this
hotel week ago. came on here TO
learn details.
1.-THE unexpected outcome OF the will
Is merely one of life's disappointments.
The bitter hardness Of II To me lies In
the fact OF the failure forever Of my
achievement. Pardon me-" ended the
man abruptly. ~ have been musing
aloud and had almost forgotten my
listener"
Tensely the girl leaned forward, a
gllmmer OF light across the water
shone IN her eager eyes, her red lips
parted breathlessly.
"And IT," she asked. this niece Of
old Jared's should refuse his requestr'
1.-THE property then would strangely
revert TO me-" the young man replied
Leila stood up before him. Like a
freed creature she stretched her arms
forth to the rising sun.
'sThe darkest hour" she murmured
softly. "is just before the dawn. Per
haps your darkest hour OF disappoint'
ment has already past And mine-l