Ellsworth American., 1920-08-04
A Fair Penitent
By sAIDEE E. BALLOON

he goes spoke Amos Purvin heartily.
"Alasl too many" silently decided
Rita Dwight. his niece.
Newspaper writer and author. Will
fred Dayton had done some brilliant
things In literary way. Socially he
was recognized as the life OF group
where young spirits needed an Inspi-
ration and a leader. Rita had met
him half dozen times and on each
occasion experienced a growing pref
erence for him. That he was attracted
by her his words and activities plainly
showed. The demand upon his time
and attention by other fair dnmsels.
however. was viewed dlsconsoately by
pretty Rita.
There was a lawn party at her
uncle's home. where two young ladies'
who were relatives of a leading men,
| Der of the set were particularly singled
out by Dayton for marked attentions.
| His assiduity In giving them a good
| time had quite made Rita uncomfort-
| able. almost cross and she had drawn
aside from the merry laughing group
TO secluded garden covert Dayton
passed by with a gentleman friend.
II say Dayton" observed the latter
(which of the two new beauties has
made an impression on you. for both
seemed to positively charm you"
Mistake" retorted Dayton lightly
'lt was my part to see that, being
| strangers, they must never chide US
for inhospitality. My interest in the
| direction of real attachment was
centered weeks ago"
Suddenly the sun seemed to shine
its brightest and Rita's cIouded face
grew serene. Weeks ago? That tai
led with their acquaintance Could
he be alluding to her?
After that. Rita returned to the 9th
/ ers end scattered her bright smiles
promiscuously. but awarded the fond
est ones TO Dayton. who basked in
the sunlight of her favor and was glad
| His hnndclasp was tri1e more intense
/ than usual when he bade her good
| night. Going into the house Rita
J found her brother Herbert, aged ten.
rurled up in chair In the library en-
/ @rossed in devouring some typewri;-
ten pages, BY his side on the floor
was portfolio. open.
"Why, Herbert what are you ever
nhout?" she challenged him.
"Oh, having Jolly fun" piped the
agreeable little fellow. "Mr. Dayton
left his portfolio. and I'm just enjoy
| ing myself reading the outline of one
Of his stories"
| But Mr. Dayton may not like that"
reprimanded Rita. you do not wish
TO be bold and intrusive, do you?"
Reluctantly the lad surrendered the
screed he had appropriated and went
grumblingy from the room. In replac-
ing the papers Rita dropped the port
| folio and its contents poured forth
| Four photographs caused her eyes to
dilate. They were counterfeit present
ments of as many especially lovely
| young ladies'. She seemed to cease
breathing as a packet of perfumed
notes. met her gaze. They were adj
| dressed to My Darling Boy" or
Sweet Honey" or My Beloved" and
signed "Your Kitten. Fay" "Only One.
| Dolly" your Truest and Fondest Ma
bel" Each note was gushingly IRA
| tional mixture Of love terms.
! Like all of them. but who can blame
| him, he is so attractive and handsome"
half sohbed Rita. "A confirmed firt.
! on how have ovcrestimated him
/ but"
The dainty pink fingers tore at
| ribbon as If their owner was lacerat-
| ing the susceptible hearts of Fay. and
/ Dolly. and Mabel. Then a sense of
womnnly power influenced Rita to de-
eide upon a desperate course of action
so far as Wilfred Dayton was con
serned. He should suffer, indeed, for
= causing her this heart-wreck.
For week after that her close
I friends were amazed at a new reck-
/ less boldness thar Rita displayed She
turned fun and frollc into IN apparent
quest for human hearts to fasclnate
She iirted outrageously always when
Dayton was present and he began to
look hurt and serisus. and then failed
10 put IN an appearance AT functions
where Rita WAS present.
She seni the portfolio 10 his address
by messenger, unaccompanied by
any note Of explanation She herself
retired from social festivities. She
had lost the only man she lovt~: an,
vas wretched and hearthroken
One day she had n visitor whose at-
pearancc. for she was the sister Of
Dayton renpened the wound thar IN"
cnused Rita so much pain,
"Wllfred Is H." said Miss Dayton
soherly. "and ! think your coldness
towards him has something 10 do with
10. Have you had any misunderstood
ugT"
Rita was ready for tears and they
came She could not help hut unbur-
den her heart She was shocked. in.
dgnnni when. after she had recited
FtrTr,ag. - 81 a,,Iv..s. a.,