Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-04-18
Broken
Engagements
BY FRANCES SMITH
@ by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

VANILLA came nnl INTO the
~ house where her fragile little
aunt sat alone In a sunny window,
her fingers busy with some dainty
needlework. Agatha Andrews lifted
her quiet gray eyes and saw the
dark sparkling beauty of the girl.
the rich coloring OF youth and per-
feet health-and radiant Joy.
"Auntie, I've had a darling time r.
cried Camilla b~reathlessly whirl-
Ing into a chair. "Guess who was
there-and | met him |" she ended
ecstatically.
Agatha Andrews turned her fair
face and looked out into the flower
garden which seemed to waver un-
certainly before her hurt eyes.
"You are not listeningl re-
preached the girl. for this aunt was;
mother and father to her and had
been for many years since the fatal
accident had deprived the child of
both parents. "You haven't heard q
world met such an important per-
son at the garden party-we made
heaps of money for the hospital
and he looked and looked at me I'M
til be seemed to realize that he
was being rude; then Andy intro
duced him to mel Auntie, | have
made a real conquest
Goose" smiled Agatha.
"Behold-the governors future.
lady"
Camilla Miss Andrews had
risen and was staring at her niece
with wide, staring eyes In her
white face. what do you mean?"
Nothing but my f~oolishness,
dear" explained Camilla contrItely.
II really did meet the governor him
self and he was charming to me.
He Is coming to call tomorrow aft
ernoon and we must have tea In
the garden."s
"Of course" faltered Agatha.
HE asked after you, auntie, said
he knew you years ago, when you
were my age; he said there was a
resemblance. Andy was frightfully
jealous of him. Isn't he distinguished
looking, and so calm and reserved
with the twinkllng look In his blue
eyes. ! adore him!" Camilla sud
denly subsidized In her changeable
way. and looked dreamily into the
gathering twilight.
"You mustn't hurt Andy's feel
ings, Camilla advised Agatha in a
troubled voice; you know how de-
voted he is"
HE seems SO young and imma-
ture beside Governor Frayne. I told
him So" she ended frankly.
"Told-Andy?"
"Yes." ~carelessly, ION the way
home. He was quite like a bear
about it-so we are no longer en-
gagedi"
"Oh!" cried the older woman
sharply; then, as II collecting her
scattered forces, she added quickly,
II am sorry, dear. Andy is young,
but that is a fault we all get over
some day.
Camilla laughed and kissed her
warmly, but the slim finger where
Andy's diamond had proudly
CLEANED was quite bare.
The next afternoon Camille made
preparations for 1erylng tea In the
rose-bowered veranda. Miss An
drews had silently helped her, MAX
Ing a loaf of very special pound
cake that her mother used to bake.
She gave the girl carte blanche
where the china closet was con-
cerned, and the consequence was
that many bits Of old china saw the
light for the first time In many
years. Agatha, dressed In a soft
gray silk, with her grazing hair
pinned In a knot at her neck, looked
like some pompadour figurine as she
wandered restlessly about the gar
den. II was not until she heard
voices at the house that she slow
ly went back to face the past.
Here she Is at last; cried Ca
milla, and the governor whirled
around to stare for a moment at
the slim figure coming slowly across
the grass. The tea kettle dubbed
~furiously just then, and Andy and
Camilla few to subdue 1t, the gov
ernor went to meet Agatha, his blue
eyes keen like a boys.
Agatha" he said simply, as he
took her hand in his, you told me
ono upon q time to go away-you
never wanted to see me again"
"Yes," gasped Agatha family, her
eyes seeking her refuge, the gar
den. "But one says so many foolish
things"
"Yes-and they hurt all through
the years. What a young fool | was
In those days not to come back
TO you"
"Yes," agreed Agatha softly.
"There is such a lot to explain
when | saw the child yesterday I
was fascinated | told myself 1t was
either your daughter or a near rel
ative-s0-I-came."
II am-glad-you have been 30
successful" said Agatha. regaining
her poise somewhat.
"Yes-in a measure" he said pa
family thut I cama IN And ora 20