Telegram-herald., 1890-03-01
A MISUNDERSTANDING
Why Sylvia Told Her Escort she
Love1 Another.

Going 70 the literary to-elghsT
Bob BsnhAm nodded
who are you tzkingT'
Sylvia Msrigo.d"
oh said Reuben BAssett
The single word was uttered 80 de-
.ooadently that Benham looked up az
his cousin IN a manner half question
ing. bali quizzAcal
Biushing Like girl Reuben met the
glance.
"You seem TO have al the luck. Bobl-
Il don't think iss so much luck a.
pluck, ayerred young Benhan with .
laugh
The mirth of Christmas Vas over. The
mfl4er exhilars.ion OF New Years Day
was Also a thing OF the past January
wa4 contemplating abdication In favor
Of February. The day was bitter and
brilliant The glitter OF the frozen
snow and tho intense and cloudless
blde Of the sky made ones eyes acha
IL was Saturday, and the main street OF
the little country town was crowded
with teams, saddle-horses and ponder
ogs farm wagons
5rss outside the postofnce-whtch
was aisoa general store-Banham and
Bsssess had met They were typical
ycxng Western farmers. high-boosed.
sloeAh-ha.sed, roughly-clad. But their
attire boiled their prosperity. They
wsro singularly alike in appearance-
Both were tall and heavily built. Both
were beardless, and had the same reg
altr, IL rather heavy features And
bosh spoke IN the same deep, quiet
vctce. But while Beuham's whole man
ner and expression indicated j&unty
self-conffence, Bassett's were gentle TO
the verge Of tinidity.
Look here. Bob, sid the latter, sud
denly. ARE you In earnest IN that quar-
terY'
"whyY.
-only shfs: HAD an idea you were
engaged TO Lrrlie Dix. that pretty little
schooimsrm back tn Illinois"
Yes" answered Bob. simply and
squareiy. Il am"
Then Why" demanded Reuben. In
uutck evaporation, ARE you taking
Sylvia Merigold sround?"
'Fcr several reasons" avowed Bon
ham, promptly. I'm the first place she
Is Q nice Little girl; In tho second. the
Merigolds are our nearest neighbors; In
the third. she has no one but me to take
her snywhere. Her folks don't want her
10 20 out win the Corey boys, and she
likes amusement. So take her. But I'm
not In love with her and she's not IN love
with me-"
Reuben looked relieved, but not con-
yinced.
Does she know about Lillie7'
mo, but I'll Just as soon she did. I'm
b be married in the spring"
That SOP cried Reuben, with . de-
lighted smile
They shook hands heartily.
so you needn't trouble yourself 70 be
leaiosrs Of mel" declared Bob, nodding
pleasantly. "why in the world don't
you ask her 70 20 TO meeting and 70 the
literary with youP / s6an't stand in
your way"
'AOh. she wouldn'tF'
How DO you know?"
She never has n word 10 say 20 me-"
AS far "a I've seen, you never have
word TO say 20 her! You are dumb as an
oTsssr when you meet her. And | notice
you hardly ever ask her 20 dance. What
700 need. Rube, is nervel'
Reuben laughed. thrusting bis hands
deep down in his overcoas poe kets.
Perhaps soY'
Tell you what" said Bob. suddenly
struck with an inspiration. ''yoE go 20
the literary tonight and take Sylvan
"Ir' with gasp.
"Youl We can Ak is IN this way: I'll
call and tell her that I have to go 20
Grassland tonight. and that you viii
take her in my stead HON's thst7"
Reuben had grown radiant
.sGrand-for ne. Bat she" stammer-
Ing sadly, "she wouldn't like IT."
Try" suggested Benhan, dryly.
Some further conversation they had
on the subject Then they separated.
And Reuben's heart was lighter and
more hopeful than is had been for many
. day.
The crowd melted away. The town
street. was deserted. Dark and cold The
night closed In. When capped. ooated
and uufied Reuben B.ssstt jumped
fn.o his cutter and drove OF In the di-
rsotion Of The Merigolds bis pulses were
beasinz rapidly. How would she re-
eaive htmi Would she be angry and re-
fuse 70 zo7
But Sylvia. calmly dressing In her own
rttle nest of room up under the caves
Of The old farrn-h house, had no thought OF
being angry and no intention OF refus-
Ing 70 20.
JinElel jsngisi Fngiei
she was juss completing her toilet
when she hesrd the Oheery sound She
sssod on sip-toe sad glanced At herself
IN The mirror. = ack-bound and ancient
piece q furniture. which. truth TO tell.
gave back a rather distorted reflection
Of sAe pretty Joung tsce consulting r.
But Sylvia vac acquainted With ia
pecniiarities and never nnressrvedlT y ac-
csused ia ve-i irs Nov she nodded
zayiy 20 she wsvy coun seosnce confront T
tng her.
'You look ver7 nice. sylvia shs
said.
she was trtu ard slim and DARK
hai-ed. rish slrors curis clustering
s--uud sbe vhise forehead. ard a eriShs.
sweet b~~as little fscs. And IN hef
later, he vas a thoughtiess, Tiidl .
young dog hedid no.T 20 - drss. butwas
fs.i and trained upstairs
Bus he x-sw - be 10y strorz. a
though he vas never very isrTs. Hn
49, .ras .ffrras - sh7s ha fsrla5 rs1vs