Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-07-31
SCRAP OF PAPER.

u lt aaB once an immaculate sheet OF
= white note paper, lying with its breth-
ren I'm q plush case on the statiOner's
codnter, and was purchased with the
Isst by Mrs. Gordon for Helen's birth
day gift.
Before coming into Helen's possession
It spent a dreary time, IN a big busy
work-rOOm, where it was stamped and
pounded and generally il-treated, but
whence it emerged bearing a wonderfully
twisted monogram OF which II. and b.
were the principal letters. Helen was
delighted with her gift, and exhibited it
with pride to Mr.. John Cunningham,
who, however, observed that it 'swOuldn't
be Of much use, and added in an ex-
planatory whisper that "that she would
soon need a @ instead Of q B." Where
upon Helen blushed, and pretended tc
be very busy putting away the case In
her pretty secretaire. There, In a dim,
ViOleU-scented corner, our particular
sheet, which CHANGED to be about the
middle of the box, lay undisturbed for
weeks, till, as its fellows were gradually
removed and sent forth upon various
missions, it came IN time to be the top
sheet. Then one night-Or rather morn
ing its mission began.
About 2 o'clock on a Wednesday
morning Helen returned from a ball, and,
instead Of quietly going to bed, as usual,
she hurried into her little bOudOir, and
dropping into a chair before her secre-
taire, buried her head in her hands, and
began to sob bitterly. "Oh, wish /
hadn't 1 wish 1 hadn'tp' she said over
and over again. At last, however, she
grew calmer; and, opening her desk,
drew forth the top sheet from its place
and began to write rapidly.
AZ know I can never rest, John, with
out first-even though this cannot be
sent till morning explaining to you
what happened tonight, and telling you,
dear John, that / am very, very sorry
and ashamed. / know quite well that I
was wrong in giving three dances to
Captain Morse when you had expressly
asked me to have as little to do with him
as possible; and, believe me, I did not
intend dancing with him at all If it
had not been for Louise Hill never
should have done go. You know her
teasing way. In the dressin groom this
evening, before We went down stairs, she
asked me II 1 intended dancing with
Captain Morse, and when / wouldn't
answer, declared that she believed you
had forbidden it, and ended by daring
me to dance with Linn more than once.
AfterWard, when he asked for two dances,
I happened to look up, caught Louise's
hooking glance, and was silly enough,
on the impulse Of the moment, to let him
put his name down twice, thinking that
/ could explain to you how it happened.
/ had no idea then that you were close
by aud had seen it all, and when, later
in the evening, tried to tell you about
it you were so cold and distant that my
pride rose, and, out of braVadO, I gave
him a third dance. But when 1 saw your
panied, stern look, John, was quite
miserable, and even fOrgavs you for
flirting so abOminably as you did for the
rest OF the evening with Louise. Now
have told you all about it. Please, dear,
learest John, forgive your own
HELEN.
"P. 81 viii wear tie frOck You
like to the opera party Thursday even
ing"
The next morning, Just as she was
preparing to address an envelope, ''Mlss
Louise Hill" was announced. Helen's
welcome might certainly have been more
cordial, but her visitor, nevertheless,
on every conceivable subject, from Nine.
Cavalazzi's feet to the approaching len
ten services, remardng at last as she
rose to take her leave: $50, Helen, dear,
it's all of between you and Mr.. Gun
ningham?"
"From whom did you derive your IN
formation % asked Helen, cOldly.
'eWen, from himself replied Miss
Hill, with a would be conscious laugh.
'At least, he asked me to go to the opera
party tomorrow night, and as knew
that you had expected to accompany
him, i supposed, Of course"-
''You are at liberty to suppose any
thing you like, Louise, said Helen, ''but
If you please still more stifly, 81 should
prefer not to discuss the subject"
And Miss Hill, with a satisfied air, de-
parted. A moment later Helen had /
anatched the letter from her desk, crush /
cd it passiCnately into a tight, hard ball, |
and flung it into the waste basket. she I
shall never see it--ReUerf'' she declared,
with an indignant sob, as she left the
room.
In a little while Mary, the housemaid, /