The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-02-21

~ ANA VI &0SS~AO
in the presence of the writer9 Jack
is here, my Jack, and
But liz he indeed my Jack2
The first glance at his face recalls
me to myself and reminds me that
he is N longer my Jack, o Jack at
all to me. l told him l wished our
engagement to end, and he remem.
bered it evidently, though I for one
brief moment have forgotten. Oh,
Jack, Jack!
He waits till the servant has left
the room, then takes a small packet
from the breast pocket Of his coat
and turns to me.
This must be my apology for dis
turbing YOU" he says very formal
ly. II thought I had better bring it
myself for fear Of accident"
For me-" I speak vaguely, and
without Offering to take it. 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.
"But-there is something else. Oh,
you forget" as he looks at me ques-
tioningly. You have returned my
letters promptly enough-how can
thank you for such promptness2-but
you forget your own. AS you say,
have no right to them now"
You wish me to take them2 Very
WE'LL,
Butt do not wish him to take them
anything but that! I want to post,
pone the moment of parting-that is
all.
will you be good enough to fetch
themT
They are here on the floor. Will
you be good enough to help me pick
them up9"
He does 80 without a word. To
gether we stoop to collect them; to
gether we lay them on the table
together for the last time!
I bring paper and string and pro
coed to pack them up, while he
watches me in silence.
Il fear this will not be such a neat
parcel as yours say, speaking as
steadily as l can, and bending owe,
the table to hide my troubled face.
You know I'm never good at this
sort of thing"
Il know" shortly.
Il can't do it." and a great tear
splashes on the packet. I'm very
sorry, but
Don't bother about it," and he
lays his hand on mine suddenly. NC
need for such a fuss. Give them tc
me as they are"
What are you going to do with
themI" as he takes them from my
trembling hands.
Put them in the fire." and ht
turns to do so.
No, no, nor l cry, springing for
ward and laying a OBTAINING hand OF
his arm. "Oh, don't, jack
Why not?" pausing. You don
want them, and I'm sure l don't"
IL do. Please give them bacl
to me-"
What for2'
ITO keep. To remind me-
"Of my folly?"
"Of my own. T
Your folly is over and done with
Our engagement is broken off, h.
says moodily. Better forget it eve
existed"
II cannot do that" with an IRE
pressible little sob. II am waiting
for those letters"
Take them, then! |" and he throw
them down on the table. ''Kee,
them to compare with Horne's, if yo,
like. I don't care"
How can you insult me sO2 Wha
right have you to think me so mean
so heartless2' l cry Indignantly
And you cared for me once-orp pre-
tended to-"
Il did care. care now, though
know I'm only a fool for my pains
bitterly. "Heartless, do you say
How can l help thinking you hear
less after your conduct last night5'
My conduct And what of yours
If / danced with Frank, and-ye'
firted with him a little, you we1
flirting all the time with Celia an
Molly, and-oh, there wasn't a 81,
in the room that you didn't firt with
You know there wasn't"
Yes, and you should know thu
there is safety in numbers" he r.
torts, fixing his dark eyes on mir
reproachfully. But you, Maud, 20
firted with Frank all the time, an
with no one but Frank. A very di
ferent thing"
And what was | to do when yC
deserted me? Sit still and look mi
erable2 Thanks, no! Really. yC
oro unreasonable"