The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-07-26

into his eyes.
"Who can he bef And she7" reflect
ed Bruce in troubled way. "Can It be
possible that her heart is already en-
gaged and that am blindly hoping
for a love that can never be mine?"
Bruce grew depressed and was half
minded to cease his visits to 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 a sutton. She was no
coquette, he was sure of that. and he
blamed his own sanguine nature for
the daring presumption that Aida's
and tender, and that her eyes respond
ed sympathetically to his own ardent
glances.
II can hardly break the engage
ment for this evening" meditated
Bruce. "but tomorrow"
Aida and himself were to attend
party at Wildwood. few miles dis
tant on the trolley line. Bruce called
for her that evening. Never had she
looked 80 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 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. pleas
ant way in which she received his at
tentions. He partly took heart Of
hope that he might be entertaining
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 abb
ruptly with little cry Of dismay.
'Oh. dear !" she exclaimed. her hand
to her throat. II have lost the locket."
"Are you suref" questioned Bruce
solicitously.
"Oh. yes. I had 1t when 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 truce
Of the missing article of jewelry.
"You had better let me see you
home" suggested Bruce. "Then Will
return and whit till the car comes
back on Its return trip. II may be that
you lost the locket on the car"
II shall walt up for your report"
said Aida. II am very anxious about
the lOcket."
Bruce sIgnaled md 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 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.
ut Is as feared I" he half grOaned.
and well he might. for a bright ray Of
moonlight revealed circular photo
kiapi thC SubSs ~ "hS tAdt vi
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 a minute, please" spoke II
voice behind him as he nenred the
Wrenn home, and Bruce faced new.
astounding circumstance. Turning. he
confronted the original of the photo
graph.
"You are Mr.. Tyrrell." spoke the
other. II have heard Aida-that il.
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 n great favor? Are
you going to her homer"
YES" answered Bruce. and gruAly.
and darkly suspicious.
"Will you hand her this nOte7" and
the other rendered folded paper.
"Why should II" resented Bruce.
drawing back coldly.
"Must l tell your questioned his
companion. "Yes, will. Aida says
you are man to trust. Well, then.
I 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"
"Ohi"
1t was passed by as a mere common.
place aspiration by Aida's hrother-In-
law, For Bruce II expressed relief.
and hope and Joy. With alncrity he
accepted the commission and with de-
light. He listened later to Aidas ex-
PLANTATION that her sister had left the
locket at home on her last visit, and
Aida had borrowed 1t for the occasion
Of the party.
And then Bruce felt that he should
also unburden his heart. which he did.
and graciously Aida listened to him.