The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-20
Hearts s Desire
By MARY BELL

1 was no reason why he could not call even if he were at home. Why had she not told him about it? He would have understood. Pulling viciously at his pipe he acknowledged he did not understand her, yet in spite of all he knew that he loved her desperately.
 Meanwhile as Joan pondered on Ru- perts sudden going she rememberd that Mrs. Love was taking cottage at the shore. Could he be going there? She fully realized that Mrs. Love was very clever woman. Then she was wealthy. Rupert was well-to-do but she acknowledged money was often a powerful magnet between a man and d woman. For Sonny's sake she hoped this friendship would not amount to anything. Well" she consoled her self, Il can at least get on with my writing for there would not be any guests during Rupert's absence"
 By the way, Miss Fairweathe said Rupert at the dinner table, II hear Gerry Wynne's son has turned up in Canada
 T suppose the old man will be re- lieved to know he's alive. Did they ever discover the cause of the fire ?" asked Joan who had heard little of the local gossip.
 "The theory generally accepted is that young Wynne had had a scrap with some of his companions and in revenge they fired the place. Of course you know they were all engaged in boOtlegging and stored lots of the stuff there unknown to the old man."
 Where is the old man now?"
 His daughter took him to live with her in the village, but I don't think he'll last much longer, said Rupert sympathetically.
 How sad," murmured Joan.
 Yes, I'm sorry to see the old place all boarded up."
 Well, there's one thing about which l am glad, and that is that there are no more mysterious lights flashing about the countryside" said Joan, look ing at Ruptre as though she would call to mind her walk with him.
 For minute merry twinkle flashed into his eyes. That's so. There's nothing to scare you around here nowadays, for I guess all Wynne's boon companions have disappeared" | Conversations languished between the courses and Rupert, glancing covertly at Joan, who was answering some of Sonny's innumerable and sometimes all most unanswerable questions, wondered II after all he was mistaken about her. Why had she brought up the matter of the lights! Did she wish to remind him of that memorable walk? But why?
 Rupert was glad when Joan arose {; as he watched her he felt that he could crush her to his heart and make her l tell him that there was nothing be- tween her and the doctor.
 About half past two Dick drove up and Joan hastened to find Sonny so that he could say goodbye to his father. The boy was interested in a new boat Mir. Jones had made for him and his fathers going did not upset him. After admiring it and kissing his little son, Rupert turned to Joan, and as he shook hands with her said, Don't hesitate to wire or write if you want to know about anything.
 All right" said Joan smiling, q hope you will have a pleasant trip"
 Sonny hurried back to his play while Joan wandered about the garden. She thought it strange that Rupert should have gone without word or look that would have brought happiness to her heart. Well, she must think no more of that brief interlude with him. Eyi- dently it had been but passing whim. After all, in the days when love had sought her, she had flouted it, and now when she was ready to welcome its coming 1t had passed her by.
 Entering the house she remembered about her manuscriptShnd decided that every free minute should be spent in perfecting it.