The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-16

placeS tneTe.
"Too old, some of them"
81 love old places" she said defiant
ly. Little old-fashioned houses hug
ging the water, with quaint gardens
and giant locusts-and-"
you are describing the old Brown
ing place. Elsie," he said coldly.
There was silence between them for
a moment until his glance found the
glitterIng ring in the corner.
"Your ring?" he asked with lifted
brows as he brought it to her.
"It slipped off-no-I threw it
there, James. I am sorry-but l am
cross this morning-forgive me-" she
cried penitently. He smiled and kissed
her, but his eyes were troubled as he
put it on her finger.
Presently they were gliding along
the Westchester roads under glori-
Gus summer sky. Elsie admired the
beautiful house her lover had chosen
it was so perfect in every detail thai
only carping spirit could find fault
with it, and Elsie was sore-hearted.
not mean.
"Now we are going to look at a
place on Long Island" he said as he
turned the car toward the city. "First,
we will have a bite to eat"
Elsie was surprised when they
stopped before modest restaurant
on a crowded thoroughfare. James
Meade usually patronized the best ho-
tells and when they lunched it was
either in some tea room of Elsies
choice or a fashionable hotel restau-
rant.
"You will find the food particularly
good here" he apologized as they en-
tered. "and the service is unsurpassed
we won't have to wait"
This proved TO be the case, but Ell
sic ate little beyond the first spoon
fuls of soup; her eyes caught sight
of familiar figure across the room
straight young form garbed as
waiter, but with pathetic limp. The
Accusing Eye winked at her again
as she dropped her spoon with
slckening realization that Paul, her
splendid young lover, had come to
thisl
Fortunately, he did not see them
and later when they were again in
the car she turned to Meade with
blazing eyes. "You did it Intentional
ly, james; how could you?" she de-
manded.
''It is better that you should know
and see things just as they are" he
said gravely, but the girl only smiled
bitterly and turned away her head.
She did not speak to him again for a
long time, as they threaded the city
streets, crossed the bridge and finally
emerged upon the Merrick road. Then
she closed her eyes TO keep back the
tears that wanted to come. AT one
moment she yearned to give Meade
his ring and hasten back to Paul
Paul Browning, a waiter in restau-
rant-Paul who had fought for her
like her-she wanted to snatch him
away and work for him; she wanted
to do some menial labor for him
"Here we are" cried Meade cheeri-
ly as he stopped the car, but when
Elsie opened her eyes she could not
see until the tears had brimmed over.
Meade pressed his handkerchief to her
face and at last she smiled wavering-
ly at him. II am such a goose" she
said.
"a dear. delightful goose" he agreed
as he lifted her down and pushed
open a white painted gate. And
what do you think of this. Elsie?"
He stood apart with folded arms and
watched her face change from sweet
gravity to wonder, and then joy. The
joy quickly faded to resentment
mot this place, James-not Paul's
old home"
''You love it?" he asked.
''For his sake" she said bravely,
II would leave my own luxurious
home-I would give you up. with all
wait upon him always-I don't care
how poor-how lowly-forgive me.
James, dear, l am so unhappy and
| have been very wickedl'
He held her very close in his arms
until she had sobbed out her grief.
and while his voice was brave his
eyes were hurt. He truly loved Elsie
and he did not want her without the
love that she had to give some one,
and above all he was generous and
he wanted her to be happy.
81 couldn't buy this place If want
ed to, dear" he said at last. "Your
future husband has too much grit to
let it go-rve tried to buy him out
through my agent and he wouldn't
sell. Unknown to him-Ive had an
opening made for him in my Cousins
bank-and the ring-that is my we'd
ding gift to you and you are to dis
pose of 1t and buy some scrubbing
brushes and things for your house
I'm going now. Elsie, and you must
be happy and make him happy, tool
Some day, I'm coming out to see if
you are living up to itl think /
hear him coming now-he has mo-
torcycle. you know-Good-byl |" He
wrung her hand, dashed down the