The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-05-23

Il
"All lie said was. May / call
tonight?" and said. Yes. at g."
"But you're going to the theater
with me-" said Jim. "You promised,
you know"
IF he asked me to marry him." said
the girl. ibid do itw
Jim's face went white.
AS Jim left her at her studio door
his face looked drawn and tense In
the semi darkness.
MAY ! drop In later" he asked.
I'D like to meet him."
Aileen nodded absently. She seemed
to be far off In another world. Jim
turned abruptly and went down the
stairs.
She chose clinging rose chiffon
and In the soft folds of lace, she pinned
the great opal-the stone her mother
had wo:n-and her mother before her,
perhaps on such night as this.
AS 8 o'clock drew nearer Aileen went
into the studiO-the air seemed impos-
sible to breathe and she threw open
the windows and walked up and down.
Nine o'clock The strait was tell
ing on the girl. 1t had never occurred
to her that he might not come.
At five minutes past 8 the girl man.
aged to get to her feet-and then
the sharp ring of the bell sounded
through the studio!
For a moment all strength seemed
to leave her. The door was miles
away. 1t was almost an eternity be-
fore she could cross the room and
open it.
A man, in faultless evening dress,
with the pale face of Greek god,
stepped into the room.
The girl in the rose-colored gown
could only look at him. She knew
she must say something.
At last she managed to murmur
faint greeting.
Then the man seemed to realize that
his eyes had never left her face.
81 cannot tell you how I appreciate
this privilege you have given me-" he
said.
His voice relieved the tension. The
instincts Of the hostess returned to
her.
81 have many old heirlooms," said
the girl. and she turned hastily and
pointed out some rare porcelains,
painting or two, and several old tapes
tries.
The man came nearer.
"It's 10 USE" he said; 1--WE can't talk,
you and I've can only feel. There's
just one thing for you and me, sweet
heart"
happened the man had seized her
roughly in his arms.
a snow we understand each other"
whispered the man, and he leaned
over and-kissed her holly on the lips
Then all Aileen's terror left her. 1t
seemed as if twenty demons gave her
strength to resent that dissertation.
'How dare you!" she gasped. "How
dare you'll" And the scalding tears of
anger rose to her eyes.
well" sneered the man, "what do
you suppose I came for, eh?'
.
eyes the mans hold relaxed. She freed
herself and faced him with all the
fury Of her fighting ancestors in her
face.
Leave this room, instantly" she
said her voice trembling with rage.
The man with the Greek face bowed.
Quietly he took up his hat and coat
and walked TO the door.
With his hand on the knob, he
paused and looked back at the girl.
She was standing in the middle Of
the room as he had left her-not
muscle had relaxed She might have
been statue of Vengeance and all
the Furies.
The man turned hastily and the door
closed behind him.
Then down went Vengeance and the
Furies in little pathetic heap on the
floor.
When Aileen opened her eyes She
was looking into the big, strong face
Of Jimmie.
Little girl, what's happened?" he
was asking anXiOusly.
give been such little fool" sobbed
Aileen. "But / don't care, don't care
as long as you ARE here" and she
chung to Jimmie with all her might.
I'm here, dear-everything is all
right" he said and gathered her into
his arms as if she'd been a baby.
Jimmie, you'll never leave me, will
yOu?" murmured tho girl
"Never," said Jimmie, with convic-
ton. "Will you marry.me tonight?"
Hush said tile girl, I've got to
tell you about that-that man oh,
I'll never dream about another man as
long as ! livel"
You needn't tell me about him If
you don't want to-"
"JnL" said the girl. "he wasn't what !
thought he was. He didn't love me.
Jim. He was thief--he kissed me
by stealth" and her crimson face went |
down on Jim's shoulder
81 wonder what else he STOLE" said |
Jim. looking around.
You don't think ]" gasped the girl |
hot no, Of An I,o,.