Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-06-26

broached' the subject @-(-yl,s
Il suppose. you've. been thinning
what q heartless brftc I ann sho
said With an attempt at iightness.
:! mean-about being engaged;
AFTER all I've said. too. Do YOU re.
member the way we used to argue
about what We would do. I'LL any.
thing happened to Tim-or-or
Joan shivered. $50 "a 1.,..'
IT'S unlucky to talk about n"
sAe said. -
Nan made an impatient eesture.A " "
Nothing can change my luck,
now. she said. But we wont talk
about II unless you wish. just
wanted to say that-that it's not be.
cause T've-forgotten that I'm mar
Tying Mr.. Seton. shall never for.
set as long as I live" ~ r~..sI.
Her checks were nery. her eyes
burned.
1t wasn't any use waiting-andf
sruseiins on-and hoping" che
sai0. In . strangled voice. AFTER
AFTER I'd soon Peter down here once
or twice knew Il was ali up. Be.
sides >" She stopped. and
there was . long silence which Joan
did not dare TO break,
Nan went on: go |,
Then Mr.. Seton came. He's rich.
ana father owes him money. I'm
only telling you this. Joan, because
you are my friend. and know you'u
never tell anyone. And 80, as T.
knew couldn't be happy any
more. I thought I might as well do
the best could for-for the family
+. :" She laughed drcarily. s"Thcre
are the boys to think Of. you see."
she added. "And I love them
especially Claude )"
rs Claude the little one?" Joan
asked heiplessly.
had to tel, you: but you won't tell
anyone. win you. Joan-promise."
You know I WON'T" Joan uaid.
She got up. stood on tip.toe and
kissed Nan more warmly than she
had ever done before. You're a
brave darling" she said shakily.
I'm not brave at ell," Nan said.
III you only knew. Goodnight
added. '1 ''' came ''0
The boys made friends with Joan
very quickly.
How long are you going to stay?"
they asked in q chorus when she
appeared at breakfast.
Joan laughed.
I'm not going to stay, at all-at
least, don't think so-Nan has
enough to do to look after you with.
out me as WELL"
They dii not agree with this. and
she received prompt invitations To
stay as long an she liked.
Wen take you In the woods" Jim
promised.
And and you BIRDS eggs" Buster
added.
"Mr. LISTERS gone away" said
Nan quietly.
mo. he hasn't" shrilIed Buster
again. Il saw him this morning be-
fore breakfast-he came down the
road when was out in tho garden
-he said he'd meet US in the woods
when we'd had our breakfast"
Joan looked quickly at Nan.
Il think you've made q mistake
Nan said evenly. I'VE saw him driv-
ing to the station yesterday with
Mr.. Arnott. you know"
Hes come back" Buster insisted.
II saw him.
Nan changed the subject hur-
riedly.
Later. Joan followed the boys out
into the garden. The weather had
taken q turn for the better-it was
as warm and sunny as May morn.
ing. She shifted the country air de-
iiciously as she went.
Where are you boys going?" she
asked.
ITO find Mr.. Lyster." came back
to her in q chorus. You can come
too. II you like"
Joan hesitated--she looked back
at the house. Nan had come to the
door and was calling to her.
I'm coming-in q mira1te." Joan
caught hold Of Claude and detained
him.
Can you keep . eecretr" she
asked. In q whisper. C1audie's eyes
shone.
Yes" he said. with an emphatic
nod.
Joan produced q letter from her
pocket--she folded II and crushed
1t into his fat little hand.
CTo Be Continued a
uBuguzzgzuRuuumxn<av usurruyaupu1ulrz,Uu ,nuu