The Carlisle independent., 1920-11-04

Her Hnance met her at the foot of the stairs. There was no eageIness in his eyes as he appraised the effect of his latest gift to her He merely looked at her with a certain satisfac- tion as if the purposed purchase suit ed him exactly. A cold, unreasonng anger laid icy fingers upon her heart. 1t would not be sunch an unhappy sit uation if he looked to her for happi- ness, if she had power to thrill him. Fate had a way of balancing every thing. She was selling herself for what his money would buy for her. He was buying beautiful ornament as dispassionately as he would pay for statue to grace his home.
 Presently the last guest came into the room. As soon as he entered, Elaine somehow heard his voice through the subdued mummur around her. Her heart thudded with a sud- den acute pain.
 And this is Mir. Riley, promising young mining engineer who is mak- ing a great name for himself" said Grover Martins sister You are both from the South, so 1 am sure you will like each other. Southerners have such big hearts" went on the To- quacious lady.
 Like the ghost of a woman, Elaine sat there, heard the pleasant com ments on her engagement, smiled when they drank to her health and happiness. She did not look at Dan Riley, but she kept trying to hear the sound of his low, musical voice. She had to use all of her will power to concentrate on what the people beside her were saying. She only wanted to listen little to Dams voice before he went out of her life forever. A curi- ous, inexpicable silence fell upon the edcc:s.
 Then Dams arrestive words. "Wom- en, where 1 am going? Oh, no! But l shall not miss anything. I've loved one woman. There can be no others. 1 shall have one dream of her with me as long as I live"
 Elaine felt the tell tale blood burn ing it's way to her face.
 As the women went out of the din- ing room, leaving the men to smoke, Elaine slipped down little corridor to a shadowy conservatory where love birds, in brilliantly colored cages, cheeped drowsily in response to the soft melody the orchestra on the stair landing was playing. There was a little singing fountain in the center whose clear waters were dotted with lily pads blossoming like dawn pink stars. Elaine rested her hot arms on the back of stone bench and stared down, unseeingly at the quivering images of little yellow lights that danced in the water.
 Its goodbye this time Elaine, for many, many years,' said a voice that swept her heart. s'I sail at daybreak for South America. 1 hope that you are going to be happy You have at least attained your greatest desire. The things that money buy-they mean happiness, life, to you
 Elaine lifted smouldering eyes to his. Stark tragedy was in her gaze. Don't, Dan! am suffering enough as 1t is. Money means clothes, jewels, servants, all the luxuries 1 have never had. 1 thought they would be enough. But I was wrong. Already I have bruised the wings of my spirit until I can never soar to dream again"
 His lips set in firm line. He turned his head away Then he looked back at her. "When I sail, I'll take my boyish dream of you. Thank God for that" He bent nearer You have made bargain, Elaine. When the time comes-payi Grover Martin adores you. 1 am glad, for no mat ter how much man can give wom- an, if he does not give her love, she will never be happy. School yourself to give as much as you can. You have had the best that two men can offer. 1 am not an idealist. Nothing can destroy my dream of you, but Grover Martin is 50. Youth is buoy ant I can endure pain. Age snaps under the strain
 "Why, Dan, he doesn't love me has money-I have youth and a req sonable amount of good looks"
 "You are mistaken. Don't break his heart as-as-"
 Elaine stared at him. "Dan, do you still care-as much as that? Have 1 broken your heart ?"
 His voice was only a whisper. .I'm foolish myself-to see the thing through-until daylight "
 Dan was the last to leave. When he looked for Elaine to say goodnight, she had disappeared.
 As he stepped into a waiting taxi, woman moved close to him. "May l share your taxi?
 Inside she pulled thick veil from over smart little travelling hat. "Dan, get license and a minister, I'm sailing with you at daybreak. I left note, all the things that Grover Martin gave me. 1 love you. Moth ing matters but that"
 "But Elaine, 1 am going into the mountains-it's going to be a gigan- tic task-it may be years-there will be hardships."
 Elaine laid her cheeks against his sleeve. But you will be therel You even tried to make me believe that Grover Martin loved me. You thought I would be happier! Don't you want me-after all ?''
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