South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-16

able; but, OF course, I had no idea
| really how matters stood"
Mrs. Vernon Rigsby paused some
what nervously and looked at the
| self-possessed young Lerson behind
| the long. narrow center table. There
was a very attractive display on the
| table-choice laces and embroid-
cries. and some exquisite bits OF
| Chinese handiwork, carved ivory
/ fans and perfume-holders. and odd
! little squat images.
The tapestried walls were bare OF
| ornament or display. over the
: Louis Quinze chairs were thrown
/ few rare shawls and Mandarin
coats. In one corner a high Manchu
| jar held a shaggy mass Of tawny
| chrysanthemums, deep wine color.
| gold edged.
"Florrie wrote me about it," she
went on. In her soft. Misunderstanding
voice-a voice that held a plAir tive
appeal in It, as If it's owner were
pcrpetually throwing herself on the
heartAs mercy. II presume she
considered it her duty to-er-to
me-"
"Yes?" said Anne. encouragingly.
II am so sorry you had the long
| Journey, Mrs. Rigsby."
| "Oh, / don't mind, Tiff it's not
too late Do you think II is. my dear ?
| Be perfectly frank with me-"
Anne smiled, glanced at the little
green leather encased clock over on
her desk, and sat down.
Lets be comfortable while we
talk. It's early yet for any OF my
customers TO be stirring"
Mrs Rigsby looked around her ap-
praisingly. You have a very dainty
little shop"
Its hardly that" answered Anne.
smiling. II have morning disI lay
twice a week here and over at the
Ponce de Leon. represent a New
York house"
"Oh, yes. certainly" said Mrs.
Rigsby, rather vaguely. Florrie had
said the young person that Court
ney was interested in kept a shop
or something. down at Palm Beach.
! She had not specified what sort OF
/ shop. You sell things for them
It's so clever OF you; and you are
young. too, aren't you? was half
| afraid you might be over IS. and
a widow, don't you know"
Anne flushed slightly at the per-
sonal touch. but she kept her head.
She had not been looking forward
! TO this situation for a week without
some mental preparation.
! 81 am 26. rs. Rigsby."
Are you, really? You look young
er. And I don't mind admitting one
J bit, my dear, that you are wonder
fully attractive. Courtney always
/ did have good taste It's such Il re-
lief TO find you az you are, don't
you know"
Il suppose so" Anne assented
| gently. After all, even if she did
put one on a psychological pin
| point, so to ST eak. for analysis, she
was Courtney's mother.
Somehow, though, l felt that
could come 10 you and speak direct
ly. and that you would understand.
Courtney seems TO be in love with
| you. but. oh. my dear, If you only
knew Courtney az I do! He is the
most irresponsible boy alive. He
! doesn't know his own mind two
| minutes at a time How far has IL
| gone? Is II just a Irritation, or has
It got TO the proposing STAGE"
| Anne laughed at this, remember
ing Courtney's desperate struggle for
! expression when he had reached the
! proposing stage" II had been quite
/ two weeks ago. She had deftly held
him at arms length. II was not al
| together a pleasant experience. be-
| ing wooed by the most eligible young
man at the resort; especially as she
wanted the good will Of all the
women. who might turn out posi-
| BILE customers.
/ But Courtney had put up a splen-
! did chase. He had not logged her
/ footsteLs nor worried her during her
! business hours. But ne had found
her down on the golf links after
four. and after a game they had
taken a long, restful stroll back TO
| the hotel. Then he had found that
| she loved TO ride, and every morn
| ing. before the hotel was fairly
astir. there had been two horses
waiting. and a swift, gorgeous run
down the beach and back before
breakfast.
You know. Anne" he had said.
back in those first happy. uncOn-
scious weeks OF their acquaintance.
81 don't think I'm going to fall in
love this time. honestly l don't. It's
such a bully comradeship. this az
| fair OF ours, don't you know, and the
J minute you start in making love you
always lose a good pal. You're not
in love with me, are you?'
Not in the least" Anne had as
sured him merrily-
/ Then there had come a day when
her horse had taken fright on the
! bluff road. She had not realized al
first that il was actually running
away. until It swerved from the road
! and started over the rolling downs,
straight for the edge OF the bluffs.
! IL was a sheer drop of hundreds
OF feet TO the rock below. Just for
an instant a wave OF sickening dread
had swept over her as she thought
. Il ~H nd n