The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-08-12

growing distance betwixt Melitta and
Poppy-not an open break, but q
Withdrawing from camaraderie. Poppy
had spells of being actually taciturn,
but Melitta, away from him. was gayer
than ever. Bennlng fiattered himself
that 1t was because of him-a wom-
ans heart, like the moon, thought he,
had always q man In II. No other
man should have a chance to set his
image In Melltta's breast. Since two
| bodies cannot occupy the same space.
Benning was relying a lot upon pre-
empti0ns. The sense of security they
bred In him went to his head-he not
only spent with both hands almost os-
tentatiously but got mad JOY from
the spending. Melitta loved luxury
he wanted to prove to her that with
his pOtentialities capitalized. as was
easily possible. as his wife she would
need only to wish for a thing and
have II.
He fancied her ambitious, therefore
he played upon her skillfully, but
without ceasing in full stream, all the
social or official Also he let her know
indirectly that he had not yet reached
apOgee. If he chose he could slide in
to politlcO-capitallsti life, where his
brains, plus influence, would soon ex-
alt him greatly. He visioned Melitta
an embassadress. presented and pre-
senting at courts, cabinet lady. even
dimly. first lady of the land. She
would grace any station-he told her
so more than once. She made faces
at him, calling him flatterer, but he
knew she was not offended. So he
ventured upon open love-making, with
a warmth and earnestness that amazed
himself. She listened sometimes
laughing. sometimes yawning. giving
him neither yea-say nor nay-say, but
elfin oracles that made her more than
ever maddening.
This could not last forever. Two
careers were open to him-which he
should choose depended on Melitta.
One, semi-scientitic. spelled secure
consequence among men of his sort,
but nothing spectacular, no beating Of
drums nor sounding of tomtOms. This
was greatly to his inclination-he tru-
~ loved delving into deep things. But
over against it there lay breathless
opportunity TO gain, by somewhat of
risk, millions, great power, and the
whole worlds applause. 1t would
mean Paradise-plus Melitta. With
out her he refused. to let himself think.
Instead. he went to her. rather white
faced and shaken. but feeling himself
so full of compelling he did not doubt
the result.
She met him on the piazza, her eyes
starry, her lips falling instantly into
a soft, merry smile. 81 was wishing
you'd come-right away" she said.
did that bring you? Or Is 1t just a
happen SOP"
providence brought me, I think-if
you wished for me-" Benning began
in throaty voice he hardly recognized
as his own. Melitta started a little
and drew pace away, saying with
her head high: maybe sol But you
would have known before morning any,
way. Poppy is looking for you to ask
II you'll help us-we have to be mar
ried early tomorrow-and there is so
much needs doing"
Tomorrow Bennings echoed,
laughing hollowly. "When / thought
you were done with him."
"You have a trick Of making mis-
takes" she answered gravely. "As
for instance, thinking you could sup
plant your most useful friend. AS
soon as we realized it, Poppy said:
Let him go as far as he likes"
Benning waited for no further words
as he rushed away. Poppy met him,
held out his hand and smiled rather
grimly, saying: From your look, II
want to say good-by, now is the
time"
Six weeks later Mr.. and Mrs. Poppy
Sanders got wedding cards from Ben
ming and his bride-the sometime Per-
sis Moon. They laughed softly over
them-POppy had heard something Of
Persis in reservation-and said one
to another: "He got caught In the