The Lamar register., 1923-04-04
The MISTAKE
BY JANE GORDON
90. 1898. Western Newspaper Union.)

Old Hanley made no friends. His
absorbing passion was his only grand
child. But his was an unreasonlng,
jealous affection, which brought to the
girl NO happiness. Being II modern
young woman. Diana grieved not, but
doing her duty fairly by the old man,
still fought determinedly for her right
full freedom. So peace did not Always
reign beneath the roof of the great
house that was her grsndfather's.
The Issue now at hand was Diana's
announcement of her engagement.
And the suitor In question was not ap-
proved, because no suitor could be ap-
proved, In her grandfather's selfish
plan, which was that the young wom-
ans devotion be given to himself
wholly-during the remainder of his
solitary years. This, he insisted, was
but part Of the debt she owed.
How Diana had managed to meet
her lover, old Hanlsy, inwardly
fuming, could not know. Diana had
met Barry Gale while on visit to a
school chum. Barry was a decent
young chap. honestly IN love, and hon
estly striving to make place for
himself In the world of business. Be
cause his years We're young he had
not advanced far-there must needs
be some patient waiting upon the part
of the engaged couple.
"Unless you give up this young man
during the year to come, every cent
of my money shall 20 to another
young woman" His tongue was sar-
castle.
But Jared"-this was Diana's af-
fectionately disrespectful title for her
grandfather-"Jared where will you
hnd the young woman to take my
place? As 1 understand your will, the
heir Is to have this property only on
condition OF living on In the old house
and supporting It In the style TO
which 1t has been accustomed OF
course you will leave money enough
for that-but what young woman may
carry on the home OF our fathersr'
Old Hanlsy's eyes glittered; mean
ingiy he pressed a button on his desk.
Imrpediately the door opened and a
young woman entered the offics room.
She was a quiet appearing young
woman, unlike Diana's vibrant per-
sonality.
Miss Rhoda Brent" the old man
introduced. my granddaughter, Miss
Diana Curwood."
Silently the girls regarded each
other.
To Diana. standing there In her
crimson sweater. II seemed that one
of the oid-time pictures from the hall
Rhoda, with her shy sweet smile, her
quaint pretty manner. was not spirit
OF present tines.
Miss Brent" Jared Hanley ex-
planned. sis my new secretary. Mul-
lins. my lawyer. recommended her.
She has been recently left alone In her
country home and Mullins was friend
OF her father
When Miss Brent was dismissed the
old man turned TO his granddaughter
That" he said quietly. ''ls the young
woman to whom my property and for
tune will be bequeathed If you prefer
to forfeit 1t. Miss Brent will read to
me as l desire, or perform those small
social services which my granddaugh-
ter should. but does not find pleasure
In rendering. II she proves faithful
In undivided attention she, and not
you. will reap the reward"
That Rhoda Brent proved faithful
In her tasks was not to be disputed.
Neither did Diana relent In her de-
votIon to her earnest young lover.
Barry was sad at the sacrifice which
his beloved must make for his sake,
and Diana. good nhiuredly Indifferent,
was kindly companionable with her
acrid grandfather. Rhoda walked
often with the disapproved girl
through the gardens.
.It is SO comforting" Diana once
said, "to have trusted woman con
fidante In my home You cannot know
how comforting, Rhoda." And the
secretary, freed from duty In the late
hours of the evening, would sit in her
bedroom sewing things fine and filmy
for Dlana's trousseau.
So the year passed. And Barry
Gale came to his desired goal. He
might dare to marry Diana now.
1t was Rhoda who suggested II way
out. Her little vacant home In the
country town would be of easy access
to the city. she offered; with a very
few new furnishings 1t might be made
Inviting.
The old man, when he heard the