Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-19
THE SWEETHEARTS.
a Delightful Chicago Variation Of the
Old, Old Story.


$50 this winds the thing nm. does "A Miss
Pankey?"
III does, MIR. Swackhammer"
And you haven't any explanation 10 give?"
what explanation do you want2 have
told you wished to break of the engageme Mt
because 1t has become irksome to me. Isn't
that enough"
The young man increased his legs, got up,
and reached for his hat
Seems strange" he said, as a yearning look
came into his eyes. that the engagement
didn't become irksome 10 you until the oyster
season was over"
Miss Pankey did not dcign any reply, and
Algcrnon swackhammer, with low bow,
turned upon his heel and walked out.
When the door had closed upon his retreat
ing form she rank nervelessly into a chair
The stupid wretch" she exclaimed. "He
ought to have had more sense than TO take me
at my wordr'
Suddenly she stopped to the floor. picked ND
q small ivory tablet that had dropped from Al
gernons pocket, pressed il passionately to her
lips, bowed her head upon her hands and
sobbed aloud
Years had passed. The afternoon sun was
gliding the pretentious spires and cupolas Of
an ambitious western town and the soft, weird
music OF the fish peddler's horn was heard in
the street. when a middle-aged man with his
vslise in his hand opened the gate in front of a
modest but neat and well-built cottage, walked
briskly up the steps and knocked at the door,
A lady answered the knock-a lady well pre-
served but no longer young.
The stranger barred his head His hair was
beginning to turn gray, but time had evidently
dealt with him leniently and care had left no
deep traces on his brow. He spoke:
"ls the gentleman of the house-am dream
ing?. Isn't this Cashmere Pankey? Or rather"
and he smiled, isn't this the lady who was
once Miss Cashmere Pankey?"
Il am Miss Pankey," she answered. "and YOU
are Algernon Swackhammer. recognized you
as soon as l saw you. Won't YOU come inY''
swell, well, said the middie-aged traveller,
as he sat in an easy chair in the front parlor a
few moments later and looked with interest at
the face OF the lady. who would have
thought OF meeting you here? And you tell
me you are still Miss Pankey? Isn't this Your
homer"
1T is my brothers. Hs is widower. i
keep house for him."
And you have never married."
Show have you prospered?"
your"
Il have had great many hard knocks, Cas-
simere-Miss Pankey-since we met last BY
the way, we parted rather unceremoniously,
didn't we?'
The lady sighed
apology" he continued, "for not sending your
photograph back after you had returned
mine; but the fact is" he went on, awkwardly,
.I-er-couldn't find it 1t had got lost some
how"
Miss Pankey sighed again.
THAT reminds me-" pursued Mr.. Swack-
hammer, that lost a little book slate the last
evening / was at your house. must have
dropped it out OF my pocket in some way. Ii
wasn't OF any particular value, and dent
know when L have thought of it before, but
the recollection of it happened to occur to me
just now. 1t was Q little black book slate
with"
81 think it was an ivory tablet"
mo. am quite positive it was a little black
book slate"
81 am sure IL was a white tablet"
Going to the mantel she opened a plush
lined jewel casket and took out little ivory
tablet.
Here it is" she said.
sand you have kept it all these yearsi" sx-
claimed Mr.. swackhammer.
II see I was mistaken. But to change the
subject Do you consider yourself-aw-
fixed in life3 Have you no plans for the
future?"
She paused, and her visitor proceeded:
In a sense, 1 suppose, you are a fixture
here? Your brothers children are to some ex-
tent dependent upon your"
"Of course, but"
"Then permit me, Miss Pankey. for the sake
OF old times, said Mr.. Swackhammer, rapidly,
as he opened his valise and took out a number
Of documents, ito call your attention to the
fact that life is uncertain, disease and death
stalk abroad in the land, fatal accidents NAV
happen at any time. and it is the part of wis
dom to provide against contingencies by Sc
curing those who are or may be dependent
upon us against want. In the policies of the
LimpinlaZarus Life Insurance Company, which
L represent, and for which have travelled for
the last seven years, you Will find the most
perfect system, the surest guarantee, the most
absolute security offered by any company in
the field, and either on the ten-year the en-
dowment or the life plan, as You may prefer
you will find the premiums smaller in proper
ton to the gilt-edged character of the insurance
afforded than in any that has ever come under
your notice, while the non-forfeitable feature
OF the policies, peculiar to our company alone,
together with the dividends that accrue after
the third year, thus steadily decreasing the an
nual premiums, while at the same time"
Was this your object in calling, Al-Mr.
'It was, Miss Pankey. I've just begun to
work this town."
Opening the little ivory tablet he began lot
ting figures down in it with great rapidity
Now, you will see," he said, ION the ten
year pian-let me see, what is your agey"
You will please excuse me. sir / have
some bread in the oven that must 60 and
look at, and I don't need any life insurance.
Neither does my brother. wish you success,
Mr.. Swackhammer. Good afternoon"
Miss Cashmere Pankey sat in pensive silence
Q minute or two after her caller had departed
then picked up the little ivory tablet, put il
back into the plush-covered jewel case, took
them both out to the kitchen, tossed them into
the stove, and went about her WORK with firm
and decided expression on her face.
Three weeks afterward she married bald
headed dentist ffty-seven years old, who had
been making love to her for about eight years.