Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-05-04
AN ENGAGEMENT.

forced to keep her grief to herself,
because she had not been officially
engaged to Jack She thought ii might
have been a little easier TO bear 1t II
her friends had known how unhappy
she was, and with what good reason.
With this great secret sorrow in her
heart, the ordinary routine of life grew
painful. She had no spirit for tennis
parties. She hated her gay summer
| frockS; she even wished she need not
act as bridesmaid TO her cousin, Susie.
She used to lie awake ut night and
wonder how much he had minded be
ing drowned.
AS she went into the stationer's one
day. she saw Fannie Potter there, 4
girl she knew slightly. and disliked.
| II it had been possible she would have
/ escaped from the shop rather than
I speak to Fannie, but she was recognized
| at once.
Good morning, Celia" said Miss Pot
| ter, putting down packet of black
\ edged envelopes, and coming forward
I For a short time some years ago the
! girls had been in the same class at the
/ high school, and on the strength OF this
( Fannie continued to address Celia by
/ her Christian name She did not often
| have the chance of doing so. The Pot
/ tiers were not people with whom the
| Greys wished 10 be on friendly terms
\ Mr.. Potter was an attorney OF doubt
/ ful reputation. 1t was well known that
/ on Fannie's behalf he had threatened
a well-to-do farmer with breach of
| promise case. and that the young man
had only got of by paying substantial
sum.
Since that time Fannie had dressed
\ more fashiOnably than ever. but she
| had not been asked for her hand and
| heart again.
| Celia bought what she wanted. and
\ was about to leave the shop. when
\ Fannie followed her. and said that they
might as well walk 4 little way to-
gether She was going past Beechdene.
| You must find that gown rather
heavy" said Celia, who saw that her
companion wore mourning deep enough
/ for young widow.
MY heart is very heavy" said Fan.
ME. with an accentuated sigh.
! Celia reelected. She had not heard OF
Mr.. Potter's demise, and Mrs Potter
she had seen at the station dressed in
| bright blue
| Il did not know you were in trouble,
I she said civilly.
II was rather difficult to be more than
/ civil, because Fannie showed her grief
| In such an Objectionable way. She had
/ pulled out a pocket handkerchief with
a broad black border, 9Qd was sobbing
into it so loudly that any one they
/ passed stared at them.
Didn't you know" howled Fannie.
No" said Celia, What is the mat
! ter?'
i thought every one knew. 1 am
I staying with the Testers. That is why
/ / have to pass Beechdene."
Celia felt as If her heart stopped for
moment, and then went on in a greater
hurry than was comfortable. She
/ laughed rather nervously and said:
Il don't know what you mean. You
are not in mourning because you are
! staying with the Testers, / SUPPOSE"
What q heartless girl you must be
/ TO make fun Of us when we are in such
| troubler' sobbed Fannie. She paused
while a wave Of extra strong emotion
4 shook her breast. and then she added
3
( ia drowned
Il know that" said Celia sharply
but don't see why you should be in
mourning.
Jack and | were engaged"
4 Celia turned ashen white. Otherwise
she gave no sign. She walked ahead
I doggedly, and kept her open sunshade
/ between her companion and herself.
b HE gave me this ring" continued
Fannie, pulling or her glove. Look
at 1t! From Jack to Fannie Is en-
/ graved inside Poor, dear Jack"
Celia raised her sunshade little and
glanced at the ring She thought II
rather vulgar, and quite suitable for
Miss Potter. II consisted OF a large
emerald surrounded by coarsely cut
diamonds. She thought IT did not look
| Jacks choice
How long" she began, and then,
| to her vexation, she could not go on.
\ Her heart beat too much.
How long We're we engaged? Oh.
only just before he sailed. No one knew
/ Of It; but when | heard that he was
drowned / wrote to his father and
mother. I felt sure they would be glad
poor old things. l am staying with
them now"
! Really. said Celia. and then, hav-
ing arrived at her gate Of Beechdene,
Bhe rather abruptly babe goodbye
From her mother Celia learned that
the impossible story was true Wood
bury rang with the news. The Testers
were great people, the Potters very
little ones. None could understand why
Jack Lester should have made such
trumpery choice. or how Fannie
with her blowsy beauty. had managed
to eaptivate him. Without the ring she
would have hardly have persuaded any
one that she told the truth. Directly
the confirmation Of his death arrived,
she had put herself into mourning, and
drawn down the parlor blinds, while
Mr.. and Mrs. Potter, with an air Of
great surprise. spread the story Of her
bereavement. They had not known Of
any engagement. they said. until poor.
dear Fannie tainted at the news Of
the wreck, and afterward exhibited her
ring. She nearly swOoned again when
Col Lester called. She said he re-
minded her so strongly Of her beloved
Jack.
Celia dropped. Her mother thought
of sending her to the sea- she lost color
| ~ ri. a