The Belding banner-news., 1921-11-23
FAIR EXCHANGE
BY MILDRED WHITE.
G. 1927. Western Newspaper Union.
SeSeSSe

1 SSil iuuiShuutiy, WHlCl Causcu ucT uis-
tress, but humiliation mt his public
desertiOn. 1t was this same we'll
known charm OF his for women, which
had won her own heart Dulcie, re-
bellious for others sakes. had started
out with the intention Of teaching
Dean Wrayburn q lesson In the heart,
wrecking game which he would not
forget-and had but fallen captive Tor
her pains.
He was such jolly. unfaillngly In
teresting companion. considerate of
her slightest wish.
After a month or SO Of Deans CON-
panionship, Dulcie wondered how she
had ever managed without It, and had
agreed upon accepting the gift as her
right, for life. But now. desolate at
the end Of the beach. she waited until
II might suit her fiance's fancy to
excuse himself to the laughing, pretty
Mollie Reynolds.
Molie was such silly creature,
Dulcle felt contempt for herself that
she might not hold her lover against
such rivalry. Then all at once II came
70 her that Dean was not worth hold
ing. There and then she settled the
matter. She would seek place In
her brother Jacks waiting car. and
Dean, when he sought her out to take
her home, should find that she had al
ready departed. Tomorrow she would
give him back his ring. and after the
wrench Of loss, would go on her way
carefree, at least Dulcie discovered
the car parked In the rounded row
near the edge OF the park. She crept
into the long back seat, drawing the
covering to protect her from the
breeze. and was soon, despite her I'm
pending broken heart, fast asleep. She
merely awOke TO snuggie more COM
fortably on the cushions, as the car
later swung about. propelled by In
visible hands. making It's way down
the long river road Presently Jack
began to whistle softly. then to sing
still more softly I'm vibrant tenor
Dulcie blinked her blue eyes. Jack
never had owned tenor voice or any
at the wheel She sat up and as she
did so, the driver removed his hat, al
lowing the breeze to caress his dark
hair Jacks hair was decidedly
blonde.
Mercy" cried Dulcie: the word
sounded more like hiss than an ex-
clamatiOn.
The driver swung about, losing con-
troll of the wheel.
We'll or all the" he began, then
stopped TO fire question.
"Who are your" he asked
Dulcie believed that she had hap
pened accidentally upon a burglar, as
he was about to make away with her
brothers car.
"Say," he demanded. "did you get
into my car by mistake or is this some
kind of a joker"
The thought OF having mistaken a
like make of car had not occurred to
her; but a hurried surreptitious search
OF flaps and pockets revealed such to
be the case. There were certain
things always carried In Jacks car
her own little emergency bag, with cap
and veil mothers light dust coat.
Moreover, this pocket that Dulcie ex-
amined contained light crimson wool
scarf; there were tassel ends to the
scarf. Dulcie knew those flaming per-
fumed tassels-this was Mollie Rey-
nolds' property. Enthusiastically.
"How," she again questioned OF the
staring young man, "does this scarf
happen to be here?"
"Mollie wore 1t down." he answered
briefly Moll-Miss Reynolds Is en-
gagged TO me. Was" he corrected him
self quickly. For she won't be. after
her silly conduct this evening. Makes
fellow feel cheap to have the girl he
intends to marry dance around after
that hurrah Dean boy. Got pretty
tired Of 1t. Not jealous" he defended.
"Just showed me my mistake"
He stopped himself.
BEG pardon" he said. II don't
know why I'm letting all this out"
Dulcie laughed.
him. "Some way those tassels make
one think OF Mollie. l did make q
mistake in the car. took yours to be
my brothers. Now, am afraid you
will have TO drive me home. 1t isn't
far. Mother will be waiting"
II WISH" the young man said Inn
pulsively, that II might be far.
would like someone to talk TO. some
one sympathetic. I've been pretty
lonely this evening"
Nimbly Dulcie swung into the front
seat.
well" l am sympathetic. all right.
she said as she sat ut his side. you
see, happened to be engaged to Dean
Wrayburn. I've been somewhat lonely
myself"
When the strangely pleasing young
man handed Dulcie out at her fathers
door. she smiled at him.
"You have forgiven my mistaken"
she asked.
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