The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-06-18


''How ridiculous II would have been for US to be
married ~
Perfectly ridiculous ~
"And ofen things in the world, Bob, hate to
appear ridiculous, ~
And that evening both Betty and Bob were ex.
ceedlngiy merry. Betty played ctlbbage with
Hardy and Emily, and Bob sang ducts AZ the other
end OF the rooms, ny and 10y Hardy aud Betty
Emmy went out to walk the piazza In the chilly
moonlight; they were oil very merry indeed; II was
quito an hilarious evening altogether
The sun rose twice and set twice and rose again,
and parson Browne came home.
Mrs. Browne onea more unwrhpned her bride cntcs
and unlocked her test damask aud her gieot-grand-
mothers wine glasses with twisted stems, and once
more the parsonage was alive with cheerful prepata
cowardiy tell anybody ot the change In their rela
tions. II was such m awkward and uncomfortable
sort Of thing to do Everybody believed the matter
50 uviolably settled and determined, indeed they
had perfect right AS for Betty and Bob, they had
hardly so much as glanced at zach other for the past
two days. They had quito rlvon themselves UP to
enjoying tho companonship Of Mrs. Ashton and
Hardy. They were now quito itcc 70 enjoy " with WV,
They did not, however, enjoy themselves or their
friends so amazingly. Could II he that the zcst was
gone because tho fruit was no longer forbidden?
They were 70 happy and cheerful that night
Botty fairly cried herself 70 sleep for very 10y aud
Rob across the street. walked tho piozzN TIL nearly
midnight, smoking and thinking what relief II was
tobo his own man once more aud free to choose Tor
himself
Hut rarson Hrowno had come, and who would
break tho Joyful to him. Betty sent Rudolf
tho street to request hob TO meet her In the
paror for moment,
She rceped into tho glass aud smoothcd her pretty
chestnut hair. Sho united tho blue rbbon nj her
throat aud Put On cherry instead. Rob said she
was little guy in blue aud though Rob was her
lover no longer, yet sho mood not mako herseit
fright in hobs eyes because MIR. Hardy liked blue.
She ran down stairs and stopped with start inside
the parlor door, for she saw Bob standing back TO
her, staring out of tho window, with his hands In
his pockets.
"you came very quickly said betty. "Rudolt
has hardly been gone two minutes
al did not 500 Rudolf - said Bob. 81 did not
| know you sent form came of my own accord. !"
"Oh, ~ said Betty, and went and sat down Ivy N"
fire She folded her pretty. rngless hands, and Tor
u moment contemplated the back OF liob'a great
tweed coat rs u she was considering the n OF u.
h sent Tor me- Sn sG SS stun looking
your own accord to see Inc, what did you want ?''
Nothing, - echoed Bob, crlsply.
'Why, Hob You must have come FOR some
"And you, of course. did not send for me Tor
''lIow absurd we arc Tcl mo your errand
hrst.n
You arc certainly in very bad temper to day. :.
Persons who wear cooied glasses say all the wof
Mistress Betty flushed hut snc shut her teeth
tightly She bal not sent fur Bob to quartet with
him Bob left the window aud began u promenade
ny aud down the room.
"I hope you enjoy your freedom, Bob" said
Betty,
"immcuscly," he replied. 81 hope you enjoy
81 never was SO happy in my lltc she declared
energeticaily. at IA such relief"
Hob stopped In his promenade.
els it?'' he asked; Eyes; of course II is-a great
relief"
lie came up to the other side of the IRE.
''isay, Betty, - he demanded. ''has anybody told
your father yet ~
~ havo not, - said Betty
"Woil, | thought 1t was your place.
Certainly not. Its the 1adys privilege always
| to announce y broken engagement.
at pleasure will gladly torego.'
"You cannot forcgoh. Your father must be told.
| You know we cannot go IN this way any longer,
Betty. II rs fairly ridiculous ~
Betty agreed that II was ridiculous, so ridiculous
| that somehow her lashes were wet with amusement
81 don't know what tho deuce they viii say about
| It, ~ said Bob his hands attn In his pockets. :"
| is certainly very awkward for Us both
Betty made no reply. The FIRE sccrched her face,
and she was obliged to spread . Japanese fan
| that lay by to screen herself Her right foot
prepe out from under her gown and 1t occurred to
uh that Betty certainly did possess tile II mmcst lit
| tie foot In Chrstcndom.
lhcy were both busy thinking for n long time.
''no you know what came Into my head this
morning. Bctty-soncthng that haven't thought of
for yearsP''
81 WAS thinking of the time fell aud hurt myself
| In huker's mill aud You ran the whole way 10 the
village FOR the DOCTOR
" II was lust ~ well tagged that time, Bobby
day.
Betty glanced at Bob over tho top of her fan, aud It
occurred To her that after all, lis Balwart young
| IIardys.
"You always used to help me in my algebra |
| was always stupid little goose in mathematics.
must have tried your patience many times; was so
| dun. ~
81 never thought You dull ~
Another silence, Betty pceping at Bob between the
sticks OF her hand screen: Bob starting at the crimson
fnsiyama, on ground of blue aud drab on Betty S
| fan.
"Betty - said Bob, rather exposiycly.
eyes, Bub.''
rDocsn't it strike you as rather Ridiculous at
this late day, 10 tell your father that we do not -
love each otIer?'
" don't know, Bob'
Bob left his side of the Are. and crossing, down
| beside Betty on the tiny sofa.
| ''Put down the fan. ~ he said.
| But she wouldn't she even turned her head away
| from him.
He took her hand, the left hand where his ring had
| been.
'You needn't obey me- you know, Betty, IL you
| dldn' / want to. ~
"And 1t would be very silly, Bob for you to wor-
| ship me, I'm suro.n
lilo had possession Of both her hands by this time
| and the fan was nowhere.
l'l tell what II IL, Betty, - he said, i 1t has
simply come TO this, that the next step must 10
ship, FOR the last two days have taught that
| not love you any better II try litctlme.''
| iietly considered awhile.
| "l' tell father, Bobby, II YOU want to- ~ sl,,
| said with amazing humility, that we've agreed It
| dis So
",ook here, - said Bob. 1--WE are going to let this
matter drop low. you know, and by this time to.
| morrow ~
| Betty skiifully eluded his embrace.
| by this time Tomorrow, my dear, yOu VIII hay,
| lost your individuality; you'i he Betty Howard
| husband !'-EtednOr Putnam IN Boston Courier.