The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-11-14
ABOUT Is FAIR


way, but it does not much matter now.
III have screen put round your corner to |
Mine is comfortable enough"
This was said to me one winter evening
by my cousin, John Elder, ms we sat on
each side Of the ire in bis particularly cozy
dining room, where Gie table, with its
lamp, flowers and dessert, had been drawn
up to an easy distance from our hands. |
John was slipping port and was cracking
nuts, for which in spite Of my years have
an abiding affection, and behind my chair
WAS the door from which might, but did
not, come the draft John was speaking Of. !
John is an elderly gentleman, bachelor,
very well Off. very comfortable and very
popular, but still rather mysteriously a.
bachelor, because he has always liked and
been liked by women. | am an elderly
lady a widow, and John and I have been
warm friends all our lives. The reason why
| was sitting beside Johns dining room fire
was that | had come to pay him visit,
and as there were no other guests In the
house it was much more sensible for me to
stay and talk with him while he enjoyed
his after dinner ease than to go away by
myself iuto the drawing room.
There is no draft" | said; "none at
present, am sure. But there may be whenI
the wind is north, and screen would make
all safe"
Yes" he answered musingly, as he
looked at the wine he had just poured out,
"a screen would do, but did think once of
altering the door, making a really good
job Of it. planned that with other altera-
tons"
And the plans were never carried outW
| asked, after had waited a moment to
see II he would say more, well, sup
pose know when they were made, but /
never did quite understand why they came
to nothing"
No" he answered. II don't think any
body knew but ourselves. 1t was my fault
certainly, 1t was all my fault"
He stopped, but | thought he was not
disincined to go on, and was curious.
Indeed there had been an episode in Johns
life about which we had all been curious,
and though it was good while past |
still felt | should like to know. So said,
u fancied it had been Miss Woodroffes
doingf"
81 said it was my fault" he answered.
Il did not say it was my doing"
"OhW | answered rather blankly, and
there WAS a silence.
Then John gave a little laugh, half ridi-
Guile Of himself, | thought, and half rucful-
ness for the story that was in his mind.
81 may as well tell you all about it," he
said. You are not likely to tell it to any
of the young ones, and it certainly was an
odd way of losing ones promised wife.
You'll see that she was not to blame"
saw now that | was in for the story,
whatever it might be, the catastrophe II
which had left John bachelor, so ] set
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dine IN those days was Joddreils', and
used to go there about once Tor every fouI
times they asked me. One evening in Sep
tenner ! went there much against my VIII.
.Joddreli had promised me that should
meet some old friends nut when arrived
~, 80 ~ ~. - plsa'no ~ ett'''iSe,S
anu near al inc party we're young people
tahcy ASKING me 70 meet room tull OF
, young people IL wash ull dinner wa
announced that J. saw the lady was u
take IN, theh Joadrel lea me INTO cornc
> OF the craving room anu Introduces me u
2 MISS "oodfele' friend OF his wife"
Johh stopped littie mere ana TANGLED
ne was IRVING to ma words IN which u
llesctlpe Miss Moolrpile. II that We're =
he uld net succeed AFTER minute Ia
went on again, without attempting to CIV
G me any portraiture OF the heroine OF hi
story
pom my word Mary, can't tell hoy
II happened. All Know Is that She wa