The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-08-03
CHAPTER III.
LOVERS ASn FRIRNns-


without torrnenfing me after tiielnanner
Of Touchy. ! Participated two weeks Of
peace and happiness. There was hardly
time for them all. Bright Hale had
grown rich, and had goodness knows
how many tnrnouts, and yacht beside.
Ernest Marvel, the boy cared best for
at school, was now tall and handsome.
He was member of clubs, had concert
tickets and art tickets, and there was no
moment of my day for which he had
not some plan. Then Harry Blake owned
big store, and so on, and SO on. My
head kept bnzzinS all the time.
Bright saw the most of me. He had a
breezy way Of monopolizing one, and be-
side be was just starting on business
trip to California. The last Friday of my
stay he went away. He shook hands,
kissed my check, airily reminded me that
I was his best girl forever, and that I
might uss his carriage as often as
wished.
Sunday Ernest called. rushed down
to the parlor complaining that thought
myself forgotten.
no, I couldn't forget you, even a
minute, . Ernest said sonberly. A queer
little chill went down my back, but
dismissed it. ~ thought. he went on.
harshly, you would be in mourning for
Bright"
he Is not dead, Ireturned. stupidity,
81 will see him again"
II suppose so. Ernest answered, and
fell into heavy silence, which he pres
entity broke by flow Of light talk, quite
unlike bis usual way. complained of
ID. and since he did not mend, cried:
aIf you can't talk like yourself, you
shan't talk at all; and forthwith be.
gan playing iigs and breakdowns on the
piano, till he stopped his walk up and
down, saying hoarsely:
ssFor heavens sake, don'tr'
ssAren't you rather imperative and
emphatic" questioned |.
he seemed sorry and asked meekly:
s.When do you gos"
sVghen you fke-this minute, for in
stance
He seemed hurt and explained gravely
that he meant to ask when did leave
the city.
s'To-morrow morning, Q O'Clock. ,. an
swered.
He resumed his walk. moved rest
lessly and sighed heavily, and made my
discomfort as ostentatious as possible,
till he said: 81 know, Katie, but have
50 much to tell you and the time is short.
am afraid to say it at all. but / cannot
let you 20 without speaking. That's i'll
You're going! It tears my heart out and
can think only of the pain.
/ got dreadfully solemn feeling.
From some inspiration right from my
heart walked over to him, and laying
my hand as near his shoulder as could
reach, said, in very gentle voice for
me. Please. dear Ernest, we have
known each other all our hves-ever
since was little girl hare been fond
Of you, and we shall be sorry to say
good by, but it viii not tear my heart
out, nor yours either He moved as If
to speak, but I hurried on: ''You must
not think me changed because for few
years you have not seen me. You and
are friends, just as we were at school.
We can never be any more or any less.
It is a lovely thing to be friends so, and
1t would be cruel if / should or you
should do anything to spoil or change it,
would it not, Ernest No, don't an
swer. No one should think twice of me,
Ernest. I am just as l used to be- self
ish and thoughtless and frivolous.
haven't o bit of heart, dear Ernest--in-
deed / haven't, except so much as can
ache with regret if any one for whom I
care comes to pain through me- Please
understand, Ernest, and don't let's talk
of this any more please, please, for my
salzel''
had been hurried on by some fright
ened impulse. 1t seemed to me that it
would be the saddest thing in the world
Il Ernest should change. The tears were
in my eyes at the thought. His face
softened and CLEANED as if from AN IN
ward light. He clasped his hands over
mine that was pushed against him, and,
bending, kissed my fingers. Then he
answered:
II know, Katie, you are warning me.
Out OF your gentle heart you are trying
20 save me the pain of the MISTAKE
which, for all that, must make. 1t Ia
too late, and must go through with it,
mistake or not. Do you think / could
see you as have and my heart not grow
about you till only you are there, and
win you tell me there is no hope for me?
] am q big fellow, and / don't know
much about how one should ask such
things, but it is humble enough, is it not,
it put my knee to the ground and
lifting my arms only to touch your