The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-03-21
MISS BARTON,
THE CARRIAGE WILL GALL At HALF-PAST Z O'CLOCK.

he told n lie. He said that. even il Mrs.
Barton had not suggested it. he had in
tending asking her to go with him. The
ugly duckling turned the color of boiled
lobster and thanked him SO gratefully that
he. in turn. thanked heaven he had hbbed.
Then Eunce wetn on:
Mamma told me to tell YOU that she'd
send carriage for you and then you're to
come for me. The carriage will call at
half past Z O'Clock. Jack kept his face
straight but fed as soon as possible. After
church he saw Eunice's uncle bearing down
on him. Perhaps you've met her uncle?
No? Well. he's a genial, jovial old person.
iliterate and vulgar. He slapped Ohm
sted on the back and chuckled. He's par
ticularly awful when he chuckles.
gal out, ch? sly dog. Young folks will be
young folks Te-he-he! With one of his
maddenng chucklcs he pokod jack in the
ribs. There's a kerridge been ordered
mind you behave, now, you and me little
sense, Ell: The kerridge II call at half past
T. Another poke in the ribs, another
chuckie, and he waddled away.
Poor Jack waited for the other cartons
to get away before he left the church.
Mrs. Barton saw him. but was too far
away to speak. So she motioned with her
lips. and Jack knew what she was saying:
Don't forget: the carriage Will call ut half
past T..
When she had disappeared Jack turned
to so. but he saw the sexton coming toward
him. Ever see our sexton: He shuies
and talks in a whisper. and he'd make YOU
think of funerals even If he didn't combine
an undertaking establishment with the .iv
cry stable he runs. He seemed to have
som" weightv matter on ! is Inllld as he &p-
preached. He was more mystic. ious u:.n
usual. he looked around SATISFACTORILY to
see if any one was watching or listening.
Then he put one finger on his bps and walk
ed at Jack.
"'praps YOU know why l wish to see
you. sir" said he.
No l don't said Jack.
Wen. it's just this way sir. A certain
lady. to speak plainly. it's Mrs. Barton.
sir. has engaged carriage of me for next
Tuesday evening. She's going to send it
for you at half past 7. She feared she
might not see you herself, so asked me to
tell YOU. The carriage will Gull at half
past I. Goodday. sir.
Jack felt like cursing the carriage. but
he didn't a lot of us fellows were in his
room that evening. and he was SO annoyed
at the Barton tactics that he told us the
whole story. He didn't realize that he was
doing a foolish thing then. but he did the
next Tuesday morning. for when he entered
his office over hundred postal cards lay
on his desk. On every card he read the
hated words: The carriage will call at half
past Z. Then there were pictures of Il
ting into carriage or getting out. One card
was labelled The Result and there was
Eunice again with her hand i'll Jacks. and
her Uncle Joe. as q fat cherub towering
over them saying: Bless you. my chill
dren,;'
he took EuDce TO the wedding and was as
kind and attentive possible to her. Eut
he has avoided the Bartons ever since,
and he'll kill the man that says to him:
III l.aJC
but Bob in spite of the length of your
story, you haven't explained why you and
Olmsted quarrellcd,' said Vanc
''Oh, it was y mere tritio. | sent the
postals and he found it OUT
lis that all? The end is commonplace.
Hulo! It's almost dinner time We may
as well go back to the hotel"
The two men strolled away, quite I'M
conscious that in the summer house, homely
little Eunice Barton was crying as though
her heart would break. So that was the
most was to know that Olmsted had lied
to her. 1t had always been a comfort to
think that once that some one had actually
wanted TO take her out. Without realizing
il, she had made hero of the only man
that had ever shown her any attention.
She felt shat she could never again face
him or any of the men that knew the story.
She had received the most crushing blow
ever dealt her in her life that had been
made up of Sights and humiliation. The
intensity of shame overpowcred her. She
could not reason calmly. What was the use
of living, anyway, when there was nothing
to live for? She wasn't merely homey,
She was stupid. she had no talents, nothing
to atone her lack of beauty. People rid-
culed her. Ridicue is harder to bear than
anything else. The world was harsh and
cruel. She hated everyone, and most Of
all herself.
Il wonder if honey people go to heaven?
She murmured.
That night Dick Vane came mp to Fer
rers III the Office of the " hotel.
Say, Old man, where's Olmstcd?" said
he; Il want to chaff him about that story
you told me-"
For heavens sake hush your Internal
tongue, Haven't you heard? Miss Barton
was in the summer house this afternoon.
She heard every word we said. and
And WHAT asked Vane, thoroughly
shocked at the news.
And some one saw her leave the sum-
mer house and-and walk towards the lake
And they have only just recovered her dead
body
Ferrers's voice rose as he spoke: his face
was CHASTITY i'll its pallor. He paused q
moment. then cried, tercely: Damn YOU,
is the denouemcnt tragic enough, now?"