Telegram-herald., 1890-03-03
A MISUNDERSTANDING.
Why Sylvia Told Her Escort Shs
LQvsd Another.

-0oing 20 the literary to-aEhE5
Bob Benham nodded
who are you taktng7-
Sylvia Merigolt.
oh said Rsaben Bassett
The single word vas utseret 80 de-
suouteutly that Benham looked up ss
his cousin In a manner half question-
ing. hah qnizzical
Blushing like girl Reuben met the
glance.
You seem 20 have all the luck. Bob-
II don't think tia so much luck a.
pluck, ayerred young Benham with
laugh
The mtrth Of Christmas was over. The
mildor exhilzration OF New Years Day
was also thing OF the past January
was contemplating sbdication In favor
Of February. The day was bitter and
brilliant The glitter OF the frozen
snow and the intense and cloudless
blue Of the SKY mado ones eyes ache.
It Was Saturday, ard the main street OF
the little country town WAS crowded
with teams. safdle-horses and ponder
Gus farm wagors
Just outside the post-ofice-which
was also q general store-Benham and
Bassett had met. They were typical
slouch-hatted, roughly-clad. But their
attire belied their prosperity. They
were singularly alike in appearance.
Both were tail and heavily built Both
were beardless, and had the same reg
ular. II rather heavy features. And
both spoke in the sane deep, quies
voice. But while Benham's whole man
ner and expression indicated jaunty
self-conhdence, Bassest's were gentle TO
the verge OF timidiy.
Look here, Bob, Hsaid the latter. sud
denly. are you in earnest IN that quar-
ter7'
Why
"Only this: had an idea you were
engaged to Liltte Dix. that pretty little
schoolnarn back IN Illinois"
"Yes." answered Bob simply and
squarely, II am"
Then why" demanded Reuben, In
quick sxasperstion, ARE you taking
sylvia Merigold sround7'
"For several reasons" avowed Ben
ham. promptly. I'm the first place she
Is a nice little girl; IN the second. the
Merigolds are our nearest neighbors; In
the third, she has no one but me 70 take
her anywhere. Her folks don't want her
20 20 out with the Corey boys, and she
likes amusement SO l take her. Butrm
not in love with her and she's not IN love
with me-"
Reuben looked relieved, but not con-
vinced.
Does she know about Lillie?"
NO, but I'd Just as soon she did I'm
10 be married in the spring"
That SOP" cried Reuben, with de-
lighted smile.
They shook hands heartily.
$50 you needn't trouble yourself 70 be
Jealous OF meg' declared Bob, nodding
pleasantly. "Why in the world don't
you ask her 70 20 to meeting and 70 the
literary with your shan't stand in
your way"
''Oh. she wouldn'tV'
"How do you know
"She never has . word 20 say TO me-
AS far as I've seen, you never have .
word 20 say 20 heri You are dumb as IN
oyster when you meet her. And notice
you hardly ever ask her TO dance. What
YOU need. Rube, Is nerve"
Reuben laughed. thrusting bis hands
deep down in bis overcoat pockets
Perhaps sor'
Tell you what said Bob. suddenly
struck with an inspiration, ''yor 90 70
the literary tonight and take Sylvisi"
"IF' with a gasp
"Youl We can Ax IL in this way: I'll
call and tell her that | have 20 60 70
Grassland tonight, and that you viii
take her In my stead. How's thst?"
Reuben had grown radiant
'sGrand-sor me- But She" stsrnmer-
ing sadly, ''she wouldn't like It."
"Try." suggested Benhann. dryiy
some further conversation they had
on the subject Then they separated
And Rsuben's heart vas lighter and
more hopeful thar u had been for many
day.
The crowd melted away. The town
street. was deserted. Dark and cold the
night closed IN. When capped. coated
.nd nufHed Reuben Bassett jumped
t,.o hfs cutter and drove of In the di-
rection Of the Merigolds his pulses we're
heating rapidly. How would she -
cegvs hini Would she be angry and re-
fuse 20 go3
Rut svivi., calmly dressing In herovn
utsls nest of a room up under the caves
~ the cid farmhouse, had no thought OF
bainr angry and no intention OF refus-
ing 70 20.
Jia9lel Sauglsi jingiei
she vas iust completing her tofles
when she heard the cheery sound she
stood on tip-toe and glanced ~ herself
ta he mirror. black-bound and snclens
pirce Of furniture. which, truth % tel.
rz~p back a rather distorted reflection
q she pretty ycTnz face consulting IL
Rus Sylvia vas acquainted vith "a
nsorltsrities and never unreservedly A.
ra,sea ia veriist Nov she nodded
rsTlv 70 she rsvy coansensnce con front
ING hsr.
~You look v,ry nice. sylvia she
SAID.
she wss trin and slim ard dark
haired. wfth short carls ci1sssr11s
around she VII - forehead. ssd bright
.,~aes. s-z-s Htsls face. And IN her
best 6re<s of crim-o1 csshnere. al
trimmed with silver hraid. she ee-asinly
did look quite picturesque ard charm
in1.
sylvia called hs- mother
Coming .Ne cried.
Sba -sflei s-, her iacks&. sieS on h~r