The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-01-18
ANNE ROSE
ny cLAR,ssA MAckiE.


Vh VI HiiiC AtOSC Uuu siiC uuu OCCI NC-
MED him, but when he saw the lovely
young daughter he knew that repnra.
tlon would be made for his lonely life.
He was very rich and the years had
brought him prominence In the flnnn.
clnl world and mitch socinl distinction.
He was still handsome, with fine eyes
and slightly grnying hair; he was tall
and straight and active us a boy.
Anne Rose was only twenty and she
wns wondrously fair-nnd the poor
protege Of frivolous aunt.
"Slle's a DEAR. isn't she, Roddy?"
bubblcd Mrs. Chaffee, with a nod to.
ward her niece. Looks lot like poor
Mamie"
"She is Nannle," returned Cortland
with dreamy eyes on Anne Rose,
while slow red crept into his face and
then vanished, leaving him white and
tense with suppressed feeling.
poor old Roddy," smiled Mrs.
Chaffee, pattlng his coat sleeve, then
she uddcd, miscflevously "Wly not
little Anne RoseT
"Why not?" lie retorted lightly; but
the thought made his pulses leap.
Weeks afterward he met Mrs.
Wayne. He had known her Of old,
selfish, scheming woman, but with a
disarmlng manner that wus very
fetching. Cortland found Himself be-
side her Mt a dinner party.
II haven't seen you In years." she
ayplojp,oI .,,,n oop,o iptn tho ljhro ry
and give me bit of advice"
II am always Mt your service" he
said cOurteously, but he was annoyed
lie had wanted to go to Anne Rose MS
soon as he could get away. Anne Rose
was wearing blazing solitaire now.
When they were alone, she dropped
Into n chnir and appealed to him.
ITS about my nephew, Hal Brayton-
he's as poor as church mouse, but
the poor dear is frightfully in love
with that charming little niece Of Mrs.
Chaffee's-Anne Rose Graye."
"Yes?" he asked stiffly.
The poor things have been in love
for nges-nnd they cannot marry-Hal
is wild. She Is receiving much atten.
tiOn and he Is afraid she might marry
for money. Girls want so much now
ndnys. have thought you might use
your influence to get him position,
80 that he may marry Miss Graye"
"Yes. Young things like that have a
right to happiness"
"Of course" he agreed dryly. II will
do the best can for Hail."
II knew you would not fail me-" she
g,ished, but MS he left the room hard
look crept into her eyes.
Anne Rose stood In the middle of
Mrs. Chaffees drawing room, trem-
bling She seemed like q dewy, breeze
blown rosebud.
"YOu startled me, Roderick," she ex-
planned, lifting her flower face to his.
He did not kiss her. He held her
hands tightly and looked over her hend
toward the dim windows.
"You never told ne that you knew
Hal BrnytOn," lie auid in strained
voice.
"You never asked me-" She gave
the age-Old answer of women In o
smali, weary voice.
II heard--tonight-tha you were
engaged-before you met me. You
are not marrying me from pity, dear?"
"And-if were?"
"You could not-I would not let
you" he said grimly.
She slowly released her hands from
his grasp and stepped back until she
leaned against a table. "And suppose
Il heard-that you only loved me be-
cause l was the shadow Of an old love
of yours-thnt you were making Obla-
tions to sentiment?" Her voice wa
vered uncertainty.
"Well. and suppose l did?" he de-
fed her.
"Ahw Little gusts Of sobs shook
her slim shoulder and n rain OF tears
sprlnkled the rose Of her cheeks. She
drew Off the engagement ring and
forced 1t into his reluctant hand.
She brought out lovers knot of
platinum and gold and put 1t on her
third finger. |C
"Now," he said bitterly. "you are
free, but I love you SO much, 1t will
take the rest Of my life to tell 1t; but
II you love Hal Brayton will free
you and--I will help you all can."
The girl lifted questioning eyes. 81
do not love Hal Brayton," she denied
"but there always has been--it was a
sort of inherited love. thInk--fOs
tered by an old miniature that be.
longed to my mother and which con
tained your plcture-I became hero
worshlper and measured all men by
that stnndard-and that is Why" hei
voice dropped dellciously and hel
trembling hands went out to him. "that
is why 1t is so easy to love you
now!"
The telephone bell tinkied impa
tiently and stopped from sheer wearl
ness. Mrs. Chaffee, trailing her draper
les into the room, paused molnen,
and then noiselessly disappeared. A
maid came In to replenish the fire, bu
she scurried away.
Cortland had his Anne Rose at last