The Opelousas courier., 1894-10-06

the first instance, but 1t grew and
grew until it seemed to me there was
nothing we weren't quarreling about,
and Jack was soon terribly in earnest.
Though we had been engaged for three
weeks, I'd no idea he had it in him to
be SO angry. And of course I lost my
head and got angry, too-really angry
and said horrid things, and-and
told him our engagement was broken
off. and there must be an end Of every
! thing between us and-and Jack took
his doing that.
"As you please" he said, speaking
quietly all of a sudden. We were In
the conservatory, and the dance music
in the drawing-room must have
drowned the sound of our voices half
a dozen yards away. You wish our
engagement to end, Maud? So be 1t.
Your letters shall be returned to you
tomorrow. and ] will at onceIeave
you free to resume your firtations
with Frank Horne"
"But-Jack5"
His face was set and white. He
never even looked at me. The music
ceased. Celia and several other dancers
then strolled into the conservatory
and he left me.
Hank! some one is crossing the hall.
Surely Jane wouldn't be so foolish as to
show my one in here now.
In another moment "Mr. Dayton is
announced and Jack himself stands
before me.
"Jack!' l start to my feet, and all his
treasured documents fell rustling to
the floor, but / never think of them.
Who thinks of love letters in the pre-
sence of the writer? Jack is here, my
Jack, and
Butts he indeed my Jack?
The first glance Of his face recalls me
to myself and reminds me that he is
no longer my Jack, or Jack at all to
me. / told him / wished our engage
ment to end, and he remembered 1t,
evidently, though I for one brief In
slant have forgotten. oh, Jack
Jack!
He waits till the servant has left the
room. and then takes q small packet
from the vest pocket of his scat and
turns to me.
This must be my apology for dis
turbing you," he says, very informally.
81 thought ] had better bring 1t N.Y.
self, in case of accidents"
For me?' ] speak vaguely and with
out offering to take it. j want to gain
time.
.Yes-your letters. I have no right
to them now"
"How-how beautifully you have
packed theml''
He turns away with an impatient
gesture and lays them on the table.
II need not detain you any longer
now my errand is DONE" he says,
quietly.
iBut-there is something else. Oh,
you forget as he looks at me ques-
tioninglv.
You have returned my letters
promptly enough thow can / thank
you for such promptness?), but you for
get your own. As You say / have no
right to them now" .as
"You wish me to take them?s Very
we'll.
But / do not wish him to take them;
anything but that; / want to postpone
the moment OF parting. That is all.
.Win you be good enough to fetch
themo"
They are here on the floor. VIII
you be good enough to help me pick
them mp"
He does so without q word. Together
we stoop and collect them. Together
we lay them on the table. Together
for the last time!
I bring paper and string and proceed
pack them up, while he watches me
In silence.
81 fear this will not be such 8 neat
as yours / say, speaking as
steadily asI can, and bending Over the
table to hide my troubled face. lyon
know I am never good at this sort Of
Il know. = shortly.
cant do IT. and i great tear
splashes on the packet. I'm sorry,
butt"
Don't bother about it, and he lays
his hand on mine suddenly. mo need
for such a fuss. Give them to me as
they are.
What are ron going TO do with
theme" as he takes them from my
trembling hands.
Put them III the flrel'' and he turns
% do
~, no. nor cry, springing for
and laying OBTAINING hand on
arm. 0h, don. Jsck.