Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-08-22

actually dread Andulasia's return, out
he would have preferred to postpone IL
indefinitely. To be sure, they had con-
sidered the possibility of an engage
ment once, but he had never been
really engaged to her. He never could
be now. 1t was only right she should
understand that. She was a sensible
woman She would understand that in
such a matter a man had a right to
please himself.
AS for Alys, was there ever such an
eye, such hand, such a voice, such
foot, such smile. To be sure he had
once met Alys walking home from
church with the lumberman. But
then the lumberman was only young
and good looking. 1t was well known
he was conducting the yard for an
English firm on a salary. To compare
Vail to ohim-Harris-who was SO well
fxedl" There could be no comparison.
One evening in late summer, when
Ira was jogging into town, he settled
mentally all minor matters to his sat
isfaction. He decided to whom he
would rent his farm, the kind of house
he would build in town, the direction
his wedding journey would take, the
brotherly letter he would leave for
Andulasia, and the invitation he would
send the lumberman to be present at
his wedding.
He dismounted at the post Office,
which was also the general store and
tin shop. There was a letter for him
"a letter from Andulasia.
DEAR IRA: Things is all upset Uncle John
died a week ngo They can't ind no will. and
I'm tired waiting for dead mems stockings.
Meet me night after tomorrow Your
"ANpULAsIA STEBBISs."
Harris smiled curiously as he stuffed
the letter in his pocket. He was think
ing of the Omaha gir'. The next night
Andulasia arrived. She was fatter
than ever. Her Eton suit was crum-
pied. She wore a shirt waist 1t was
voluminous and not immaculate.
well, it's you, Ira. I'm clean beat.
Put them things in the buggy while
get some sody and yeast uptown"
Uptown" Miss Stebbins learned
several things, chief of which was that
Ira Harris had transferred his affec-
tions to Miss Alys Lane.
Half way home Andulasia said quiet
ly:
II hear you reckon to marry Miss
Lane"
Her composure, the loss Of her ex-
pected fortune, the witchery of Alys,
all gave Harris courage.
IL was fggerin' some on it." he
avowed.
He drove Andulasia to her home, but
she did not again broach the subject.
He went back to town that evening.
He met Alys at an ice-cream sociable.
He gained grace of heart and pro-
posed.
She laughed gently.
81 am honored, Mr.. Harris, OF
course" she said. But always sup
posed you were engaged to Miss Steb-
bins. ! am to marry Mr.. Vail at Ch rist-
mas"
The following evening, Ira, feeling
exceedingly depressed, went to call on
Andulasia- He found her talking with
a brother farmer, widower with
three children. He asked to speak to
her a moment alone.
Fact is, Andulasia," he said, 'it's
you l want. / fancied for awhile I'd
like that silly little thing. must have
been kind of hypternized- I'm sure
now it's you l want"
Andulasia smiled-a peculiar smile.
I've just promised to marry Mr..
Muggs. He asked me last night be-
fore he found out what you know"
What l know? AndulasiaP'
"Yes- The news that come in on the
noon train. about the will being found,
and me getting seven thousand dollars,
and"
"Andulasial"
What fine woman she was. Why
had he never noticed that fact before?
Its truew she declared trium-
phantly.
But" he fairly howled, 'Fve been
meaning for fifteen years to marry you,
Andulasiai"
"Then, why didn't you9" inquired
Andulasia.
He remem bered some lines he had
once read. 1t would be quite safe to
never read anything.
al feared my fate too much" he pro-
tested, striking his breast dramatic
ally, "and my deserts was too smallW
He did not impress Andulasia. She
turned scornfully away to where Mr..
Muggs waited.
go back" she counseled, ito that
yeller-haired girl at the depot"
He did go back, but not to the depot.
"Eh?" said the saloonkeeper. I'VE
don't often see you, Mr.. Harris"
"No But | feel tonight as II I'd
got chill. I'll take some straight"
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