Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-09-23
Archer threw discretion to the

Archer threw discretion tt the
winds and gazed frankly at Anne, as
he said. How can he refuse you any
thing? No man could, L know"
Anne, though her color rose a lit
tie, didn't even glance at Archer. but,
turning to me. walked by my side to-
ward the house. chatting lightly on
trivial subjects.
Later, as we gathered around the
dinner table. one could scarcely be-
Illeve there was such an under-cur-
rent OF trouble. among the Van
Wycks. Our host was unusually
bland and affahle, Barbara was
placid, and Morland was the debonair
mar of the world tina society re-
quires.
AS to Anne. she was a marvel. In
a Inner gown of pale yellow satin,
which suited especially we'll her ex-
qulslte colorlng, her wonderful hair
colled low, and her great eyes shin
ing, she seemed animated by some
unusual energy. She was roguish
and dictatorial by turns. She was
dlgnlfed one moment and softly
pathetic the next. 1 couldn't make
her husband to abandon his plan, or
the matter was still undecided. At
any rate, she could not have tried and
failed. and still have shown this
ivivacity.
But l did not yet know my Anne.
sat next her, and dinner was not
half over before she confided to me
the news of her total failure.
Not only did David refuse to lis
ten to me-" she said, but he forbade
me to speak to him again on the sub
Ject; and he spoke to me in such q
way and in such language thatNI can
never forgive him"
"Anne!" l exclaimed, for. though
snAling, her smile was, assumed for
heard only by me. were full of bit
terness and desperate grief.
Anne" I murmured involuntarily,
let me help Q What can 1 do?"
Nothing" she replied. mo one
can help me-"
Perhaps it was the pathos of the
situation. perhaps it was her mar
vellous beauty, enhanced by the dra-
matte moment, or perhaps it was in
evitable. but I fell in love with Anne
Van Wyck then mi there. Or, rath-
er, it was an awakening to the fact
that I had always loved her, even
when we were school time friends.
Naturally, I had sufficient self-control
not to disclose this secret ever by a
glance. but repeated in carefully
ingness. to help her, if possible; and
then, with an effort, 1 turned to talk
to my neighbor on the other side. It
proved to be Beth Fordyce, and her
pale blue eyes lighted as she began to
talk eagerly to. me.
Let us make a pact, Mr.. Sturgis,'
she said. II, too, want to help Anne,
and surely together we can do some
thing"
1t vas quite evident that she had
overheard. my words, and his annoy
ed me: and I answered that, with all
the willingness in the world, 1 fail
ed to see how Mrs. Van Wyck's
guests could do anything in this mat
ter. She took the hint, and changed
the subject, but almost immediately
after Mrs. Stelton's shrill voice was
heard addressing the table at large.
We'll, I think you're perfectly hor-
rid, Mr.. Van Wyck!' she exclaimed,
shaking a beringed hand at him,
.To give away all that lovely money
that ought to belong to Anne and
Barbie and,Mr. Morland!" The last
name was accompanied by a coquet-
fish glance in Morland's direction,
but she went on. addressing her host:
why. if a husband of mine did that,
ibid shut him up on bread and
water for a week."
Perhaps he would enjoy the rest
Mrs. Stelton." said Van Wyck, gaz-
ing at her blandly. The man had a
way of saying these things. which,
though rude, was rather enjoyable to