National Baptist world., 1894-10-05

~ ~ night.
~ knew what i
was about il
the first instance, but it grew anC
grew until it seemed to me there wa
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 tc
be SO angry. And Of course | 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
me at my words. ! never thought OF
his doing that.
GAS you please" he said. speaking
quietly all Of a sudden. We were in
the conservatory, and the dance >usic
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 It..
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.
Hark! 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!'' / 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, nv
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. l told him l wished our engage
ment to end, and he remem bered it,
evidently, though l for one brief in
stant 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," Ire says, very informally.
81 thought had better bring it my
self, in case Of accidents"
For me?'' l speak vaguely and with
out Offering to take it. l want to gain
time.
"Yes-your letters. have no right
to them now"
"How-how beautifully you have
packed them!'
He turns away with an impatient
gesture and lays them on the ia BILE.
p II need not detain you any longer
noW my errand is DONE" he says.
quietly
"Bpt-there is something else Oh,
you forget!' as he looks at me ques-
tioningly.
promptly enough chow can l thank
you for such promptness?), but you for
get your own. AS you say have no
right to them now.
You wish me to take them? Very
we'll"
But do not wish him to take them;
anything but that; want to postpone
the moment Of parting. That is all.
Twill you be good enough to fetch
them?"
They are here on the floor. VIII
you be good enough to help me pick
them up?"
He does SO without word. Together
we stoop and collect them. Together
we lay them on the table. Together
for the last time!
bring paper and string and proceed |
to pack them up, while he watches me
in silence.
81 fear this will not be such neat
parcel as yours" I say, speaking as
steadily as can, and bending over the |
table to hide my troubled face. You |
know l am never good at this sort of |
thing"
II know" shortly.
II can't do it," and a great tear
splashes on the packet. I'm sorry,
but
Don't bother about it," and he lays
his hand on mine suddenly. "No need |
for such a fuss. Give them to me as
they are
"What are you going to do with
them?" as he takes them from my
trembling hands.
'Put them in the fire." and he turns
to do so.
''No, no, nor I cry, springing for
ward and laying a OBTAINING hand on
his arm. "Oh, don't, Jack"
"Why not?' pausing. you don't
want them, and I'm sure l don't"
I'll do. Please give them back to
me-"
What for?"
''To keep. To remind me-
"Of my folly?"
''Of my own. I"
''Your folly is over and done with.
Our engagement is broken off," he
says. moodily. Better forget it ever
existed
Il can't do that" with an ire
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