The Belding banner-news., 1921-11-23
THE TRUE LOVE
BY MoLLiE MATHER.
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Copyright, isss. Western Newspaper Union
Marcia SAT. looking gloolnily down
into the garden where her guests were
assembled. TO M,rcia, In her alnbi.
livus pride, had come crushing blow.
Lawrence. the brother In whom all her
affections centered. was In disgrace.
Disgrace In connection with any
Fleming would have been bad enough.
but the word applied To Lawrence, was
an awful thing.
Marcia had moi cared particularly
for the husband whose wealth enabled
her TO put the engaging Larry through
college. 1t had merely been con-
venient that James Wells had asked
her 10 marry him u: that unfortunate
time, when her aged father had
taken upon himself Il second wife.
This young woman, who had been
the lawyers trusted secretary was
named by him Immediately as the fu-
ture possessor of his diminishing for
tune.
Marcia, so her father declared, had
shown him neither consideration nor
affection. therefore, she must plan her
own way. Lawrence had been an in
duleed and not ungratefu son, but
he, TOO, must seek his own.
Marcia, dumbly indignant, had ac-
cepted James Wells, believing thus TO
settle the question of the future for
them both.
Everything, including the fatally
heirlooms. were bequeathed to the
faithful young woman who was his
second wife.
Marcia was enraged and Larry ap.
parently Indifferent. Marcia then de
cided secretly upon an advantageous
marriage for Lawrence.
CleNerly she selected from among
her friends certain young woman,
fortune favored. for Larry's entertain
ment; while he, in his ingenious mod
esty, endeavOred gratefully To be en-
terlainer ui his sisters guests. But,
Those to whom he should have shown
llattering attention were neglected for
maidens less desirable until finally
Larry made the poorest choice of all.
SO Marcia thought, and she taxed
her diplomatic powers in keeping her
brother trOm too much of Kitty Vans
delightful companionship Kitty was
delightful. Marcia was obliged To adj
init the fact; and being cousin OF
hei husbands. even though n poor re-
latiou, il was impossible To dismiss
Mis- kuy from her hospitality The
disgrace which had fallen diSaS-
lrously during the progress of the
house party-giVen in Larrys interest,
was occasoned by the disappearance
of valuable article named IN her fa-
Tiers will, The Coply painting of the
testator's grandfather. the document
said, would be the property of his
wife, Sylvia Fleming to dispose of as
she so desired.
"Old Grandfather" Lawrence had
remarked, 'is so directly responsible
for my own sad features.
The resemblance was most remark
able. But il was further believed
thar notes more valuable than the
painting were hidden in its frame.
There was a sensation. therefore,
when after the funeral the picture
was missing from Its years old place
on the wall. Ii was during Marcia's
house party that maid accidentally
discovered the painting carefully COW
cred I'm far recess Of Larry's own
clothes closet. Mrs. Sylvia Fleming
was still abroad. The maids public
announcement caused conservation
and disgrace for Larry. He had grown
white at the girls abrupt declaration.
and haltingly denied knowledge of
the affair. The guests had been po-
lite in their dismissal Of the subject
but Lawrence was, thereafter. avoided
even by the charming maids who had.
before. sought his society Marcia
was in despair.
Marcia. struggling for composure
that evening saw Constance Brisby ig-
more her place card next 10 Larry's
plate at dinner. and pass >on to an
other seat Then she also saw little
Kitty Van slip into that despised
placa with a lauOhinp ramark m