Ellsworth American., 1920-01-28
ErStwhi1e
EStellc
~ -
BY T. B. ALDERsON

L
riousness. More than once the elder
of the two, Rhoda Willis, broke out
into sobbing. Her sympathizing friend,
Estelle Rawdon, spoke to console
her. 81 wired you to meet me here
on my way to Brocton," spoke the
| former suddenly, because ! felt so
heartbroken and longed to find some
| bles"
And viii you marry this Wendell
Baird If he asks your
rs it not my duty-did / not so
promise my dying mother? If it is
| terrible sacrifice, 1t is a sacred one"
"And what of Vincent Searles?"
Il dare not see him, but must con-
vey the story of our broken lives to
him in some way. His sister will
understand and pity. She lives
across country some fifty miles. have
telephoned Mr. Oliver Baird that l
shall rest over here for few days. In
the meantime will see Miss Searles.
You will stay here in my place. may
be gone two days"
Suppose the elder Mr.. Baird, or
his son, Wendell, should come down
here to view the bride expectant?"
suggested Estelle, but Rhoda passed
the query off gravely, being in no
mood to jest.
Estelle proceeded to enact the role
of her friend. The ladies' parlor.
ctrnIl no bril-; c@a
street view from the windows of her
room-full appreciation of those en-
titles was clouded only when Estele
reflected upon the forlorn situation Of
Rhoda.
They had corresponded regularly,
Ehoda sent for her at Baysv!lle. 1t
was to recite a woeful tale. A month
previous the mother of Rhoda had
died. In her last moments she had
eXacted solemn pledge from Rhoda
to wed Wendell Baird If he sought her
as his wife.
"Oliver Baird was your fathers
closest friend" she told Rhoda. "It
was our thought that If you were ever
left alone. Mr.. Baird should be your
guardian, hoping that you might find
as husband his son."
Then there had come letter from
Oliver Baird. 1t was all arranged that
Rhoda was to become his ward. Rhoda
had impaired to Estelle the fact that
she was engaged to one Vincent
Searles. She had given her promise
to her mother, fearing the conse-
quences on the failing invalid if she
told that it could not be, that SHE was
plighted to another.
AS Estelle entered the dining room
of the hotel that evening she tripped
over rug askew and was fairly res
cued from a fall by handsome, alert
young man, who received her thanks
with apparent pleasure. He bowed as
he passed her in the hotel parlOr the
next day, and Estelle remembered and
recalled his face as she went up to
her room a little later. AS she reached
its door she uttered sharp scream. 1t
was burst open and a stranger tried to
pass her. bearing in his hand her gold
mesh bag.
AS If by magic there sprang in front
Of the room thief the young man of
the dining room episode. He wrested
the plunder from the marauder. but
the latter made good his escape.
81 seem to have protector when
ever | get into trouble" said Estelle.
and to regain her composure returned
| to the parlor. the young man accom-
panying her. There was an hour of
enjoyable converse, during which Es-
telle learned that he was Mr.. Paul
Harris.
There seemed to be a bond of ac-
cepted confidence, liking and compan-
| lonship established between them after
that. The third day passed and Rhoda
| did not return. A telegram arrived
| the next morning, however, from Miss
| Searles. 1t informed Estelle that
Rhoda was Ill and asked her to come
on to Alton.
Estele was loath to acknowledge TO
| herself that she would regret losing
the company of this, magnetic and at
tentive Paul Harris. When she told
him that she was called TO a distance
he looked disappointed.
Miss Willis" he said, "circum-
stances have precipitated a climax that
will force me to make an embarrassing
| admission. Paul Harris is not my
name am in reality Wendell Baird,
and | came here in another guise at
| the request of my father to view the
, person he wished me to marry, If
| felt | could love her. I can and will,
Miss Willis"
Confession is good for the SOUL"
/ observed Estelle. 81 am not Miss
Willis, and to clear away complica-
tions, had better tell you ALL" and
| she did. when you meet Miss
Willis" she continued, when he inter
/ rupted her.
after having so crudely told you
| that love you," said Baird, ''why