Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1913 — SPARKS AND ASHES [ARTICLE]

SPARKS AND ASHES

Triumph and Vindication of a Woman’s Outraged Love; iiiter Taught Lesson.

By FRANCES A. COREY.

A delicate party gown lay over the backs of two chairs. Anne Graham stood on the white fur rug, gazing dreamily into the open fire when the door-bell rang. The caller was Mrs. Trueblood, a near neighbor, and a trusted friend of the family. She was allowed to come up. "My dear, have you heard the news?” the good lady broke out excitedly, before she had fairly seated herself. ‘Morris Burton is back In town again! They say he’s going to remodel the old home-place and setr tie down here.” Anne drew a Quick, sharp breath. Morrie Burton had jilted her five years before, and eloped with a red-haired heiress on the morning of their wedding day. “No, I hadn’t heard," she answered after a moment. “Ice’ll be at the party tonight,” Mrs. Trueblood went on quiveringly. “He’s wagered Dr. Bliss that he’ll prove, before the evening is over, that you’re as much in love with him as ever! How perfectly outrageous!” Whatoever Anne may have felt, she was surprisingly calm. “Thank you for telling me," was all she vouchsafed.

“Of course you’ll stay at home tonight?” ‘No. Why should I? I must meet Morris sooner or later. I’ve heard,” she added musingly, “that his rich wife died last summer and left him all her money.” Mrs. Trueblood looked at Anne curiously as she rose to go. Was the dear girl going to make a fool of herself again over the handsome scamp? The minute Anne found herself alone she virent straight to a cedar chest in the alcove and gently lifted out a white satin gown that had lain there for five years. There was a half-defiant impulse to put it on and -meet her faithless lover thus arrayed; but she presently laid the glistening robe back again in its sweet-smelling receptacle. Mrs. Peyton’s rooms were full to overflowing when Anne arrived upon the scene. A quick interchange of glances as she entered told her that Bhe was an object of speculative interest to the assembled guests. For just one burning moment she felt like turning back; but Professor Lawson was coming toward her. He seemed a tower of strength, and her courage revived. And then, for a second, her heart stopped beating. "By the way, Miss Graham," the professor said with seeming carelessleßS, "an old friend of yours is here tonight—Morris Burton of New York. Perhaps you had heard ?’’ So he knew the old story? Of course —it had’ been town talk. “Yes, Mrs. Trueblood told me.” she replied, recognizing the kindly impulse that had led him to give her timely warning. “It 1b five years since Mr. Burton went away. I wonder if he is much changed." She was outwardly composed, and Professor Lawson drew a breath of relief. Whether the meeting would be an ordeal or not, he need fear no weak betrayal on her part. And yet Anne’s limbs trembled under her as she slipped away into the crowd. She could not have told which feeling predominated, dread or longing. Suddenly some wordß came to her ears from behind a screen of palms. "Everybody is wondering if Anne has remained single on Morris Burton’s account We will soon know." “She won’t speak to him if she has a particle of pride,” was the spirited response. "But women are Buch fools.” Anne hurried on with burning cheeks. Suddenly a group of acquaintances parted before her, and she wase face to face with her old lover. In a hushed silence she held out her hand as if they had parted on the friendliest terms. “Welcome home, Mr. Burton.” He flushed with surprise and-grati-fication.. There was no pretense of resentment. But then she had been very much in love with him. Of course she knew his wife was dead, and there was no barrier between them. His wager was as good as won! "Thank you, Anne, for this kind reception,” he said with a complacent smirk. “It’s just what I expected. Do you know, I came tonight expressly to see you. Let’s find a quiet corner where we can talk.” Anne accepted his proffered arm. He looked down at her curiously. She had more than fulfilled the promise of girlhood. Bhe had a womanly dignity, an air of conscious strength far more attractive than mere beauty. Dimly it began to dawn upon him why Dr. Bliss had been so ready to bet the odds against him. But he was not the sort of man a woman can easily forget—and her greeting had been reassuring! "You are so much better to me than I deserve, Anne,” he said impressively. leaning over her in a very loverlike way. “fa it possible that you have forgiven me?’ “I forgave you long ago,” she replied sweetly.' - “I played you a shabby trick.” "Let’s forget all about It." “Oh, can you do that? I dared not hope It.’ lie cried, his handsome head drooping more and more. He Was tempted to setae one of her hands and

carry it to his Ups. This close companionship vividly recalled those other days, the happiest—he had to confess It to himself—of his Use. Exultantly he set himself to the task of making good bis boast __ He and Anne waltzed together, or sat out dances In quiet nookß. Soon It began to be whispered about that the poor girl was as completely under her fickle lover’s spell as she ever had been. . * There were lines of pain In Professor Lawson’s fine face. He had come to the same conclusion as the other lookers-on. “How can she trust that man?” he said to himself. "He will have me to deal with if the old experience is repeated.” But the moment came, as the evening wore on, when Morris ceased to play a part. It dawned bewilderingly upon him that this was the woman he should have married In the first place. He had loved Anne as deeply as he was capable of loving. Now the old fire was rekindled In his heart like a smoldering coal when blown upon. Suddenly he wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything in all his selfish life. "Anne, dear,” he said impulsively, as they drew apart from the supper crowd, "I did a wicked thing five years ago. The lure of gold tempted me, and I broke my promise. But your Image still lives in my heart. Oh, won’t you give back the love I recklessly flung away? I will prize it as the dearest thing on earth.” Anne did not answer. Her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth. “Tell me, dearest,” he urged, "if you still care for me.” The color ebbed slowly from her face. She began to tremble. But the power of speech came suddenly back. “No woman’s love could survive the test to which you subjected mine,” she gravely replied. “I said I had forgiven you—and it Is true. You unwittingly did me a great kindness when you passed me by and put another woman in my place. But I am no longer the unsophisticated girl who idealized you five years ago. I have grown worldly wise.” "Wait! You don’t understand,” he gasped, dazed and incredulous. For Bhe was slipping into the thick of the crowd, breathlessly eager to escape him. “I want you, dear. I’m asking you to marry me—” Anne kept straight on, her head in the air. She neither knew nor cared that some of the bystanders had seen and heard —that her triumph and vindication were complete. The whole episode had been a terrible strain upon her. Now her one thought was escape from the place. A sturdy figure loomed against the deligate green things embowering the entrance hall. Looking up half shylyf Anne encountered Professor Lawson’s gaze bent searchlngly upon her. For a minute she hesitated — then went bravely up to him. "Please take me home," she said. He tucked her hand under his arm. But nothing more was said until they were outside the house, under the tender stars. Then he said in a curiously tense tone: ■ i "Anne, you know that I love you. What does this mean?” “Anything you wish,” she softly answered. (Copyright, 1912,- by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.)