Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-10-26

success in the business he had chosen.
Other young women were present at
this house party which Uncle Horace
was giving. He liked to entertain In
this great home. too often silent.
Grafton, his uncles law partner. was
also there, a dependable man among
men, attractive to women.
Preoccupied. Alan walked the
length Of the living room. Who, he
meditated. might feel entirely sure
Of Lois? Today assuring him. hei
dark eyes hurt BY his doubting-of her
loyalty. Tomorrow laughing her mock
cry across the shoulder Of Grafton-of
across some other favored mans shoul-
der-with whom the will o the wisp
happened to bA walking. Saying to
Alan later:
"Why, my dear. don't you know I'm
not to be belisvsdNwhsn I can't BE-
neve In myself"
Alan paused before the empty nre-
place where In winter logs gave forth
their warmth. Now the fireplace was
filed with flowers in tall vases-scar-
let flowers ablazo In limitations Of the
ere that warmed. Scarlet trumpsts. I"
his uncle called them, straight. erect,
glowing Alan smiled at the fancy !;
they reminded him OF the commanding
beauty Of Lois. Her voice came -
him a. he sat bowling his head % his
arms crossed on . wide carved table.
Across Alan's troubled senses came
= soothing perfums-remini0cent In
some pleasing Intangible way Of boy
hood days and happy memorisA He
lifted his head On the table before
him In q violet vase was q bouquet Of
hsiiotrops bloom-hsliotrops that his
mother had loved and worn on the sim
pie muslin dresses, Alan remembered.
The thought Of her brought tears to
his eyes. Were there women Like her
still in this worldf Yea pretsnse,
Alan thought bitterly. Was not Lois
and her kind ever prstsndlng2
He could see In memory his young
mothers hands on his fathers head,
soothing, encourakinG Alan's fathss
had known revsrses- Aan's
pensation. True, understanding, un-
selfish.
you make me mad" came ths
rollicking song-You make me glad
1t ended in a crash of keys and
Lois wild laughter. Tears were
creeping through Alan's fingers-how
Iong one tender memory had power to
stir. Some one came into the room
he arose hurriedly. The scent Of hell.
otrope increased-the young woman
who entered wore knot Of the howea
on the breast Of her white frock
She smiled up at him, and her voice
was softly plsasing-"You remsmbs
met I am Nora Barry. Your uncle
asked me to bring tea to him here; h
has returned from a tiring game. VIII
you Join usr' Alan was eonfusodlJ
aware that tears were visible in hia
eyes Also, he knew that Nora Barry
In kindly sympAthy, affected not 4
see them. What must she think d
himi Men do not weep ever peTpas1
tiles Of businesA
Uncle Horace c'ns In smiling hi
enjoyment. MY tso favorfts ycunl
folk" he said, and tempting rsfrssh
ment spread before ~ what mort
may the heart Of lonely old man Dc
sire7' Later he locked across the taba<
to where Nora Barry at. MY dear,
said Uncle Horace, you grow more
Ike your mother every day..
Alan watched the glow that syer
spread the girls sweet face; he waa
seeing for the first time that long ass
sweetheart Of Ais uncle's, whose losl
he had ever depaorsd. "She cared fos
the other man." Uncle Horace ex-
planned with q certain proudnssA and
Nora Barry was TOO true to marry for