The Washington times., 1920-08-13
CHAPTER l..

CHAPTER l..
-HE clock on the Summerfield
City Hall struck two, and
Barbara was not asleep. she
sighed and turned over restlessly.
She was still thinking of the con-
yersation she had had with John.
He disliked social functions. That
was plain, in spite of his efforts to
conceal it.
1t was all clear to her now. He
was engaged to a girl young enough
TO be his daughter. He was fnd-
ing it hard to accommodate his
ways TO hers, although he was do
ing his best.
She was glad that she had told
him not to bother about learning to
dance. He had not attempted 1t
since she had suggested this. Yet
there were many other Things that
she liked that must bore him. she
had not considered this until to-
night. Now she must do so.
She had no right to sacrifice this
mans comfort to her own pleasure
He loved her. OF that she was
sure. But that did not justify her
in making a martyr of him.
That he actually suffered from
epnui she did not doubt Mentally,
she put Uncle Arthur in Johns place
and reflected how the dear man
would groan inwardly at the fool
ish chatter and merry-making or
bows like Charlie Braisted and Tom
White, would yearn for home and
silence. And Uncle Arthur and
John were contemporaries.
Yet what must Barbara do? Was
Il her duty to decline invitations on
Johns accounts Would he not be
uncomfortable were she to do this?
UNEASY THOUGHTS.
Something is wrong some
wherew she murmured in the dark
ness.
Then, in a flash, she knew what
was wrong.
A young girl was going to marry
a man twenty-five years her senior.
spring and autumn could never
blend. 1t was not according to
nature.
"Yet am fond OF HIM" she told
herself fiercely. And he loves me.
1 wish he did not.'
There was no denying that it was
more for Uncle Arthur's sake than
for John Brandon's that she was
engaged. Yes-for Uncle Arthur's
sake, and for her own-that she
might have somebody to support
her and not let her be a drag upon
her relatives in their old age
Such being the case, did duty de-
mand that she renounce the social
affairs given by friends of her own
generation? Did she owe this to
her betrothed? She turned sick at
the thought She did not know how
she could endure long succession
of evenings sitting quietly at home
talking to John Brandon.
What IL 1t were Robert Elliott?
The question thrust itself into
her consciousness before she could
ward 1t off. The quick bound of her
heart told her that were Robert the
one with whom she must spend un-
disturbed home-evenings, she could
ask her no greater Joy.
Sitting up in bed, she wrung her
hands.
What am I to do?" she moaned.
Can never forget him--never put
him out of my life? oh, Bob, Bobw
YIELDING TO GRIEF.
She threw herself back upon her
pillow in an abandonment of grief.
She had fought off dangerous
thoughts until she could fight them
no longer. Tomorrow she would. be
John Brandon's betrothed again.
Just for this one moment she must
yield to her sorrow. She sobbed
herself to sleep and dreamed that
- was dancing with Robert El-
List. while John Brandon, lying
back is an easy chair, slumbered
calmly and peacefully. Even in her
dreall che was thankful that at last
each r'an was getting what he
wanted.
John Brandon walked back TO his
home deep In thought. Barbara's
persistent questions hal forced him
to face matters as they were. Yes.
the junketings and frollcs OF tie