Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-06-19

her that you were In town. but that
you had lost your memory, and could
not remember her. or anything about
ner-or that you were engaged, or.
or-anything. Nan wouldn't believe
N-ehe laughed at him: she said that
sne was sure that you could never
forget her. She went with him, back
70 the MOTEL where you were staying:
sne said she must see you for her.
seif-she said that she was sure
wnen you saw her It would be nil
right. :" She stopped with
sudden tsagic memory Of how Nan
mad looked that night when she
came back.
xes-go on. please" -
"She wasn't gone very long" Joan
said sorrowfully. "She came back
quite soon. She didn't say much, but
Just knew by her face that nothing
would ever be right again. She told
me afterwards that she walked into
the room where you were and that
you didn't know her. that you looked
az her as Il you had never seen her
In all your life before. oh.
poor. poor Nanr' she added.
There was q bitter silence.
"And think that's all" she said.
Her stepmother died the day after.
think 1t was, ana she had to; 90
home to look after the little bows at
Leavendon. and she's been there ever
SINCE"
Aho-and she never
wished me to be told---"? Peter asked
huskily.
"She wouldn't hear OF Il. I know
Mr.. Arnott wanted to tell you. but.
Nan said she would never forgive
him IL he did. She made us all prom.
lse."
Peter looked up.
do you know that she is engaged
to another man now?" he asked sud.
denly.
Joan stared: then she laughed.
man engaged to another man!
Rubbish she said. '.Why--whv
she was ever so much too fond Of
you to ever look at anyone else. She
just lived for the time when you
would come back. She had made all
her clothes to be married In. She
was so happy. Why. you were to
nave been married. when you got
your next leavel' she added thought.
lessly.
Peter flushed to the roots of his
hair. 1t was an intolerable situation.
she is engaged to another man,
all the same" he said constrainedly.
"A man named Harley Seton. He
has plenty Of money and q fine place
down at Gadsden."
JOqn cpofIaa ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Somebody has Just made II IN
and told you." she said, scornfully.
Nan would never do such a thing,
I know"
He sat staring down at the dusty
hoor OF the carriage; Joan watched
him intently.
Sho was not quite sure Of him vet:
1t all seemed strange and unbeliey.
able to her.
Suddenly she moved a little along
the seat towards him.
What are you going to do?" she
asked, gently. What do you want
me to dor"
He raised his unhappy eyes to
hers.
'he'e Sesii uOf ne aSkeQ. LIS
all so impossible"
Joan considered for a moment.
Il should like to help YOU" she
said. frankly. II should like to help
Nan. too--if there Is anything I can
do-anything-T will. I promise
you"
THANK you'll am sure you will. F,
And there is something--wiI you
find out why she Is going to marry
that fellow Sefton?'
"If can-and IL you arc sure that
she Is. But Nan IL SO reserved when
she wants to be; perhaps she won't
tell me. And. Mr.. Lyster-nay ask
you a question:"
Her voice was a little shy and un.
certain.
Please" said Peter.
"Well-rerhaps I shouldn't ask,
but Nan is my best friend-and 30
you see-what I mean ie---
she-she was free today,
would you would You :.
would you :" she broke of, not
liking to continue. but her meaning
was obvious.
Peter did not look up.
rTo TIA E1u1Sx,noA