Mansfield mirror., 1920-05-06
CHAPTER ~.

l nau twice traNerSeu the cross lane
near McGOwan's Pass tavern waiting
for Barbara Bradford. Although it
had been my intention to ride thither
l was amazed to learn on applying at
two of the stables near the park en-
trance to hire a horse that the few
they had there either were owned pri
vately or had been already engaged.
There was nothing for me to do but
to go to my rendezvous on foot. l had
almost despaired of Miss Bradford's
coming when l spied her cantering
slowly along the lane, followed at
decorous distance by groom. She
was looking right and left and when
she saw me her face frightened but
she rode a few steps past me with no
sign of recognition. l was wondering
what to make of this new slight when
she suddenly reined in and allowed
the groom to come up with her.
James" 1 heard her say to the
groom, "my head aches. and the rid
ing Is making it worse. Take the
horses back to the stable, and | will
walk the rest of the way home.'
VERY well, Miss Bradford" he said,
touching his cap, as he assisted her
to alight.
She waited until he had vanished
and then hastened to the bench where
l was seated, one l had purpOsely Sc
lected because it was half hidden by
a turn in the road and the branches
of wide-spreading tree.
She colored vividly as I rose to
greet her with outstretched hand
"Oh, Mr.. Nelson" she cried, ~ don't
know what you will think Of me, ask
ing you to meet me here. am In
trouble I must tell someone. l don't
know what to do"
"The only thing to do suggested,
"is to begin at the beginning and tell
me the whole story. I've sisters of my
own. Just pretend you are one of my
sisters and let me help you"
She looked ut me thOughtfully,
studying me as If questioning wheth-
er or not l was to be trusted and ap-
parently deciding in the affirmative,
told me an amazing story.
ITS all about my sister, Claire" she
began. "She's five years older than
I. She's a lovely girl, but she's-that
Is, she used to be-impulsive, roman
tic, and headstrong. She and my
mother never got along well together,
and she was sent away to boarding
school. One winter, 1t was six years
ago, mother was in Europe and only
Dad and ! were at home :"
She sighed sadly. Evidently her
words were bringing back to her mo-
ments of heartache.
"To make long story short, Claire
ran away from the school and mar
ried-marrled a French chauffeur EN-
ployed by a family In the neighbOr-
hood She took me into her conf
dence q week later. and well, / told
dad. There was terrible time about
1t all. Dad found out that her hus-
band was already married, had a wife
and child right here In this city. lie
had the marriage annulled and man
aged to keep everything out Of the pa
pers. He threatened Claire's husband
with prison and made him go back to
France. Dad was simply wonderful.
No one knew anything about Claire's
escapade except ourselves, the prin-
cipal of the school, and the Judge
down In Nassau county, who ordered
the marriage annulled. Dad kept moth
er abrond until after 1t was all over,
and to this day she never has heard
word about it."
"Y0ur father must be n wonderful
man." said enthusiastically.
ale was" she said simply. "IIe has
been dead two years"
son. I'm so sorry" l cried, l did
not know"
ITO he Continued)