Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-07-04

little noise in neutrality-suspicious. more
than / need. But Flo did not turn
round.
Just fancy" said she, as though she
were enjoying conversation with the
window-pane, IF this sort of thing
happened when we were married! And
unless you changed very much, it,"
If it were enough for me to
change" began, loftily.
"Now," interrupted Flo, still adj
dressing herself to the window-pane,
sit doesn't matter. We can just sepa-
rate. But then we should have to GO
on being together"
Something struck me in this last OBJ
servation. laid down my hat.
Cad, so we should!" said /. THAT
would be rather queer"
''We should have to stay in the same
house in the same room some
times!" And Flo's graceful back was
agitated with shudder
1--WE should" | assented. II suppose
you wouldn't speak for the whole even
ing?"
I'VE should have to keep up appear
the servants were there-and-oh, it
would be awfulp'
l put my hands in my pockets and
surveyed Flo.
what should we have to do?" l
asked, with curiosity.
MAKE loathsome pretense of-of
still caring for one another, suppose"
said Flo, with groan of prospective
horror.
But what should we have to do?' I
persisted. ! wanted details. Should
we have to talk?"
YES" snapped Flo.
SHOULD l." / pursued, taking a
step towards Flo, ''have to kiss your"
"oh, l suppose wonder why you
don't go!"
"And would you have to kiss me?"
To this question l received no an
swer at all. But was bound to ex-
tract one; l could not leave the matter
unsettled. So rang the bell
what are you ringing for?" said Flo,
facing round suddenly.
"For the footman," said I, nodding
my head.
II should have thought you could
find your way out" and she right
about-faced again.
Then William opened the door.
did you ring, sir?" he asked, OBJ
serving, suppose, that Flo did not APP
pear to want anything.
Eyes, William, rang. want"
'It's mistake, William" came sud-
denly from the window.
"No, it isn't" said I. 81 must asl,
William"
Nonsense, Dick! It's only Mr., Van
sittart's joke, William"
"Well, them" said I, "can we do 1t
without William? If SO, he can 60"
There was the slightest of pauses.
Then Flo said:
Yes, you may go, William"
William, looking somewhat puzzled,
withdrew; and then Flo, much flushed,
turned round once for all.
II can't think" said she, show you
can be so foolish. I,dop't know what
you'd have done in another minute"
81 should" answered, "have kept
up appearances"
Flo's lips twitched little. saw.it
in q moment.
at is perfectly useless for me-" OBJ
served, plaintively, ito try to escape
from you. Your resentment is not to
be relied upon for a quarter of an hour.
l am nearly heart-broken about Phil
ippa March"
swell, I'm most sore about Capt.
Worsley."
But" said I, I'm going 90 be man.
I'm going to forget Philippa and keep
my word to you. VIII you put the cap.
tain out of your hearth
''Tll try" said Cousin Flo.
Because you know if, after we are
married, you speak of him with re-
greet"
''Or if you seem to wish Philippa
had"
"All those terrible things will hap.
PEN"
Eyes, I know, Dick. Are we really
wise toto risk it2'
knitted my brows. 1t was really a
serious question. studied Flo's
features.
"I'm puzz led" answered. You're
very charming, Flo, but"
II don't trust you, Dick"
There was a long sad pause. Flo
held out her hand with gesture OF
farewell. Hooked in her eyes. took
the hand.
ut is really best" said Flo, gently.
81 suppose it is" said 1, rather for
lornly, squeezing her hand.
Marriage is such an irrevocable
STEP" Flo reminded me.
"Well, anyhow, it's very trouble
some to-"
"And if" interrupted Flo, when it
was too late, when we awoke to the
fact-No! G-good-by, Dickr'
"Good-by, Flo," said much moved.
Thus we parted. took my hat, and,
without backward glance, started
for the door.
At this moment, curiously enough,
the door opened. William came In.
please, MISS" said he, "tea's ready
In the drawing-room"
THANK you, William" said Flo, in a
very low voice.
William withdrew. stood medita-
lively in the middle of the room. Then