The Lamar register., 1920-09-22
ANNE ROSE
BY cLARissA MAckIa.


Cortlsnd watched the girl with
adoring eyes. He had loved the moth
er Of Anne Rose and she had been de-
MED him. but when he saw the lovely
young daughter he knew that repara-
ton would be made for hin lonely life
He was very rich and the years had
brought him prominenca In the hnan-
cial world and much social distinction.
He was still handsome. with nne eyes
and slightly graying hair; he was tall
and straight and active as q boy.
Anne Rose was only twenty and she
was wondrously fair-and the poor
protege of a frivolous aunt.
she's a dear. Isn't she, Roddy7"
bubbled Mrs. Chaffee, with a nod to-
ward her niece. Looks q lot like poor
Mamie"
''She IL Nannia," returned Cortland
with dreamy eyes on Anne Rose.
while slow red crept into his fsce and
then vanished. leaving him white and
tense with suppressed feeling.
Poor old Roddy." smiled Mrs.
Chafree. patting mis- coat sleeve. then
she added. mischievously why not
little Anne Roser'
why notT' he rstorted lightly: but
the thought made hss pulses leap.
Weeks afterwars he met Mrs.
Wayne. He had known her Of old. q
selfish, scheming woman. but with 4
disarming manner that was very
fetching. Cortland found himself be-
side her at a dinner party.
Il haven't seen you In year," she
yRl of ad 10 Int hA
and give me bit of advice"
Il am always at your service" hs
said courteOusly. but he was annoyed
he had wanted to 60 to Anne Rose ~
soon as he could get away. Anne Ross
was wearing blazing solitaire new.
When they were alone. she dropped
into chair and appealed to him-
ITS about my nephew, Hal Brayton-
he's as poor as a church mouse, but
the poor dear Is frishtfully in love
with that charming little niece Of Mrs.
Chaffees-Anne Rose 0rays."
"Yes?" he asked stimy.
The poor things have bees II love
for ages-and they cannot marry-Hal
is wild. She Is receiving much attsn.
ton and he Is afraid she might marry
for money. Girls want % much now
sdays. I have thought you might uss
your influence to get him 4 positioo-"
so that he may marry Miss 0Nysr'
Yes. Young things ike that have .
right to happiness"
"Of course" he agreed dryly. 4 viii
do the best ! cau for Hal"
II knew you would not fail me-" she
gushed. but as he left the room q hard
look crept into her eyes.
Anne Rose stood In the middle q
Mrs. Chafee's drawing room. trsm-
bling. She seemed like . dewy. brssss-
blown rosebud.
"You startled me. Rodsrfck." shs e
planned, lifting her dowsr face to hiA.
He did not kiss her. He held her
hands tightly and looked over her head
toward the dim windows.
You never told me that yoa knsv
Hal Brayton." he said In q strainsd
voice.
you never asked me-" shs savs
the ageoid answer Of women IN q
small. weary voice.
Il heard-tonight-that you were
engaged-before you met me. You
are not marrying me from pity. dearT
"And-if / weref"
"You could not-I would not let
you'll" he said grimly.
She slowly released her hands from
his grasp and stepped back until she
leaned against a table. And suppose
Il heard-that you only loved me be-
cause ! was the shadow Of an old love
Of yours-that you were making obla-
uons to sentimentr' Her voice wa.
vered uncertainty.
well. and suppose 1 didr' be do
ned her.
"Ahw Little gusts Of ssbs shook
her slim shoulder and q rain Of tears
sprinkled the rose Of her cheeks. She
drew on the engagement ring and
forced II into his reluctant hand.
She brought out q lovers knot OF
platinum and gold and put Il on her
third finger.
Now" he said bitterly. you are
free. but love you 80 much. Il win
take the rest of my life to tell It; but
If you love Hal Brayton / will free
you and-I will help you all I can"
The girl lifted questioning eyes. T
do not love Hal Braytou." she denied;
but there always has been-it was Q
sort Of inherited love, I think-fos.
fQrad hv m ola vnt,s-&u-~