Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-10-12

grew until 1t 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 lost my
head and got angry, too-really angry
and said horrid things, and--and l
told him our engagement was broken
off. and there must be an end of every
thing between us and--and Jack took
me at my words. never thought of
his doing that.
"As you please" he said speaking
quietly all of sudden. We were in
the conservatory, and the dance music
in the drawing-room must have
drowned the sound of our voices half
dozen yards away. you wish our
engagement to end, Maud? So be 1t.
Your letters shall be returned to You
tomorrow. and ! will at once leave
you free to resume your flirtations
with Frank Horne
"But-Jack-"
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 any one in here now.
In another moment "Mr Dayton" is
announced and Jack himself stands
before me.
"Jack!"I 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 it.
evidently, though for one brief In
slant have forgotten. Oh, Jack
Jack!
He waits till the servant has left the
room, and then takes small packet
from the vest pocket Of his coat and
turns to me.
This must be my apology for dis
turbing you," he says, very informally.
81 thought had better bring 1t my
self, in case of accidents.
"For me?" speak vaguely and with
out offering to take It, ] want to gair
time.
"Yes-your letters. have no righ
to them now"
"How-how beautifully you hav,
packed them!"
He turns away with an impatien
gesture and lays thu on the table,
II need not detain you any Longer
now my GRAND is done" he says
quietly.
"ButAthere is something else. Oh
YOU forse.i,, he locks ct me anes
tioningly.
You have returned my letter
promptly enough how can l thanl
you for such promptness?), but you for
get your own. AS you say l have nj
right to them now"
''You wish me to take them? Yer.
we'll"
But | do not wish him to take them
ANYTHING but that; want to postpon
the moment of parting. That is all.
'.will you be good enough to fetcl
them?'
"They are here on the floor. vii
you be good enough to help me picl
them upP'
He does so without a word. Togethe
we stoop and collect them. Togethe
we lay them on the table, Togethe
for the last time.
bring paper and string and process
to pack them up, while he watches m
in silence.
al fear this will not be such nea
parcel as yours" | say, speaking a
steadily as can, and bending over tn
table to hide my troubled face. "Yor
know am never good at this sort o
thing"
~ know" shortly.
81 can't do it," and great tea
splashes on the packet. I'm sorry
but"
"Dca't bother about it, and he lay
his hand on mine suddenly. mo nee
for such a fuss. Give them to me a
they are.
"What are you going to do wit
them?" as he takes them from m
trembling hands.
put them in the fire." and he turn
70 do so.