The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-12-17


wasn't. Perhaps If there had been
no Billy I'm the background, ii would
have been easier. although she felt
that she could never have loved Court
ney.
Only, II she couldn't have Billy,
Courtney did as well as any other.
He was older than she, but she bad
always known him. A few years ago
he had been engaged to . womau who
had quite suddenly aud lnexplicably
married somebody else. And Virginia
fancled that. on the whole, he cared
no more for her than she did for him.
1t was evidently for them both just a
suitable marriage"
Three days before the wedding, vir-
ginia begged a respite from dinner
dances and bridal l%uncheons, pleading
the need for rest TO look her best on
the great day. Aunt Julis finally
yielded and packed Virginia off to a
quiet little Inn in the Berkshires with
the elderly woman who acted as maid.
She even agreed not to tell Courtney
Of her nlece's hiding place" figuring.
perhaps, that IL was a gtrlish within
more easy to crafty than most.
Quiet the inn In the Berkshires Ger
talIly was at that time Of the season
but not so utterly fOrsaken that
occasional motoring parties did not
roll up the winding, graveled drive for
quiet chicken dinners in ies famous
grill.
Such q party arrived n day as
Virginia came down the stairs. Face
to face. she met them-Courtney and
the woman to whom he had once been
e%ngaged-and the tender regard Of the
glance which Virginia interrupted,
left no doubt Of the feeling he still
entertained.
Virginia stood stock still, For a
minute the silence Numbered. Then,
with an unuttered but heartfelt
THANK heaven :" on her lips. the girl
turned away. her head high.
Three months later the Gardner
limousine drove slowly out Of the Ivy
covered gateway Of the Gardner resi-
dence on Ridgely road. Severely erect
on the cushioned seat sat an ncom-
promising figure who looked askance
through the window as the scenery
unrolled-hrst elm-shaded drives, then
pavements. then a succession OF IT.
regular streets blocked nut with non
descript houses.
In front of one OF these the machine
came slowly to a stop. ~ shall be
here only a few minutes" the lady
said MS she allghted. Then YOU may
drive to Nine. Pritchard's."
She walked up the irregular path
marked with borders Of c~andytuft
Love In a cottagel" she shifted.
Az that instant the door was flung
open. "Auntlei I" cried a radiant vlr.
ginia with no air OF penitence what
ever. "Oh. Billy F"-this to depths
within. Aunt Julia has come to see
usl"
Under the jubilant welcome Of the
tall, sm~iling-eyed man and the effer.
vescing, chatterIng Virginia. Aunt Ju-
lila thawed a bit. How well the girl
was looking.
And this Is our Kitchen" cried vir-
ginia, who was doing the honors. at
least, we call it a kitchen because II
has a sink. And this is the den and
very important because II is where
Billy practices the wonderful editor.
ials he is going TO write some day.
Isn't It so, BIlly7 You know he isn't
with the Courier now. He's got 8
much better position with the Star.
And now you must have some tea
Get the lemon in the Ice box, dear
and slice II thin"
An hour later, Mrs. Julia Gardne,
again sat back In her richly uphol
stored car. She had missed her al
ting and the meeting OF the Juyenil
Uplift Committee. But there was still
time for Mrs. Delabarre's musical
and a moment at the Cargill tea. The
home and dinner and the opera and
after all, what did she do with III
but 20 on-and on--and on
She leaned forward to the speAi
Ing tube, YEARLY. "Home, James
she said.