The Washington times., 1920-03-24


A3tt.ddod. -if 4 can see
~ ~ FATHER for a few min
8tMg &ng-without Hugh's
HI would like TO do
4 spare me a few min
n timer
u Ia rmAI and ominous that
80 y aura laughed. -Of course
70 ace you, dear. l am certain
~ has no engagement, and
At home all the evening.
cell Hugh that l am expect
f&tf slier."
81 ,fure not to intimate who
al .be sure not to- Laura
All day the shadow of the COM
nR interview rested on Ruth Court
peyss spirit. Moreover. she missed
her usual visit TO Hugh. She had
become SO frank with herself that
she acknowledged this There was
q sweetness mingled with the pain
Of his society-all the sweeter and
all the more painful because ahead
Of her she could see a sad and cruel
termination to their companionship.
Z
n lie cannot live" she unused now.
IT was this conviction, coupled
with her mothers verdict. that de-
termined her to be absolutely
Srufhful--as far as was practicable
with Daniel Rodney and his daugh-
ter. She must deceive them with
regard to her own heart. but on
other points she would tell the unT
vanished truth
Upon her arrival at the Rodney
homo at o'clock that evening.
abe was shown into Mr.. Rodney's
den-a cozy nook. opposite the
drawing-room. The host greeted
her cordially.
IT am glad to see you. dear
| child" taking her hand in his warm
clasp. "You are looking pale and
tired. Wait, I will send for Laura,
She told me you wanted to see her,
too"
The secret Out.
His kind, unsuspicious manner
calmed her to some degree. When
ne had sent the maid to inform his
/ daughter. that he desired her pres
ence, he returned to the den. clos
ing the door behind him.
"How is Hugh" Ruth managed
Ito ask.
"Fairly well-but a little rest
less. He was disappointed that you
Ior-" with a little smile-"you in
YOUR impersonation OF Doris-could
not come today
cit was quite impossible" she be-
!, In. hut he stopped her explana-
We A,lease do not make any apollo
ftz&x. dear" he begged. by the
II, 4 appreciate Doris coming to
- for> Hugh yesterday. 1t was
sbhd of her and. 1 hope. promises
yeil for the future"
Ruth was relieved that Laura's
entrance spared her the necessity
of an immediate reply. How could
she confess the humiliating facts
to this pair?
ST was just telling Ruth" Mr..
Rodney resumed when the girls had
Unchanged greetings, that I was
much touched by Doris coming
here yesterday, and that I have
almost dared hope that it may
mean that She
JHeAsot no further, for Ruth lifted
n protestir~ hand.
mo-" she exclaimed, please don't
hope anything, Mr.. Rodney, for you
will only be disappointed. ] did not
mean to tell you so abruptly" she
hurried on, but I will not have the
rourage IL stop to think. ] have
rome tonight to say that my sister
Twill never come here again, that
her engagement TO Hugh Is broken,
nnd that she is engaged to be mar
fied to another man."
Then she dropped her face in her
Bands overwhelmed by the shame
and rtty of the whole confession.
There was a tense silence. Daniel
Rodney and his daughter exchanged
Wong looks that said more than
words could.
The man stood up. His face was
pet and hard. But when he spoke
bis tone was gentle.
t. LAur. Comfort. Her.
ruth. child, the fault is not
yours"
Laura took a quick step forward,
and, dropping on her knees by her
Friend, put her arms around her.
Dear" she soothed, do not mind
fc much. 1t is hard for Hugh. yet
be must
She could go no further. as she
remembered her brothers plight.
But at the sound of Hugh's name,
Ruth raised her head.
II have been here. dear Mr.. Rod
bey. In Doris place until such time
rs she might see her mistake, or
until Hugh was well enough and
btrong enough to be told that she
vas not coming any more.
II cannot see that what has hap
bcncd need alter my course-if you
% not mind my keeping right Oh
coming hero regularly just rs /
lavo been doing these past weeks.
II know only too well that 1t
|snact- last long. mean-when
duSh Is wen he must be told that
70 has lost Doris But-may I not
felp you get him well-just az I
ave been trying to do until now7''
To her surprise the elderly man
ent over her and kissed her up
urncd face.
Dear, dear chfIdl- he said, husk-
b. 'T suppose I ought not to let
ou-but-my boy"
She spared him further speech.
Very weTfl" standing up and
fartine toward the door, 'T will
p here tomorrow. Tell Hugh that
p may expect me- mean, Doris
z tho usual time Goodnight.
ANN -