The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-06-25

tpuin not zee hff until the warm !
weather unlocked the lake and river. 90
he coasoled himself with writing long
noueTy answers TO her short. business
The oIisiles. and sending her a present
every week He was the happiost man
In creation.
Then one day I went to sec him ana
found him In the depths Of a black de-
spair Slowly and with much work I
dragged The story out Of him. She had
written him a curt note breaking the
engagement. On the table at his elbow
lay the jewelers. Tiny box with the beau
uful ring inside.
Il took II mp and looked at Il. won
dering meanwhile why girl should re-
fuse man like my friend. rich. fine
looking.tenderly loving. able TO give
her all the things for which she longed.
and desiring nothing In the world but
10 ny At her beck and call After q lit
tie | put he question TO him:
What reason did she glyeg be an
swered, looking mp with wild. blood
shot eyes. 'Nonei She merely desires
TO break the engagement" And yet |
know she has no other lover Who h
there upon that desolate island who
could be attractive TO her? And have
a letter from her mother. dear Kind
soul, In which she tells the that Irene's
conduct Is a mystery 10 her Hut Il Is
Of no use to discuss n. shall 20 mad
soon enough without that
Nor could rouse him from this state
Of despairing sorrow He went from
bad 20 worse until was forced 20 at
tend him IN my professional capacity.
and at last yielded 10 his solicitations.
and consented 10 accompany him upon
a trip 10 the island
III was bitter winter weather and
shall never forget how we suffered With
cold during that awful trip. Even after
we reached the island We had that hor-
riblc slx-mile walk 10 manage and we
were spent with cold and fatigue when
we arrived az the farm John was too
weak and exhausted 20 DO more than
yield plsalyely 20 the minisiiations Of
myself and lrenes mother But the
next day he commenced 20 seek for an
opportunity TO talk With the obstinate
girl
but u vas useless: she eyaded Us
both. for ! would have spoken In behalf
Of my friend. She kept out OF our way
with a persistence and success which
was marvellous. considering how closely
we were an kept together by the ,old.
which made outdoor life an impossible
ity. and We were compelled 10 reidrn
home at the end OF a week without hay-
Ing wrung 10 much as word from the
. girl herself Her father. mother and
sisters were upon Johns side and a was
evident that the girl herself was suffer
Ing deeply But she babe her lover
good-by with an icy handshake and re-
turned 10 her work IN the kitchen be-
fore We we're out Of the barnyard.
John was In despair. bat be Is per.
sls,ent by nature. and as I said al the
beginning OF my story. he wrote and
proposed regularly every three months
And 10 several years went by.
AT last. one day about a month ago
he called me up by telephone and began
10 talk wildly and little incoherently
about how happy be was and nonsans'
Of that kind
What is the matter with you?"
asked at last. fearing that he was n
and iclirious shall never forget hil
answer.
Can't You tell what Is the mattel
with meY he called back. Irene hal
written that We may b. as we once wen,
and am too happy TO be lucid
"Yos. that was what she had done
with woman-likc unexpeotcdness. An,
John was almost too happy 10 live. ~
made a flying trip 20 the island that Q
the going there was hurried he va
slow enough coming back. when he re
turned the day was set for the wedding
So two days ago he started back. M
happicst man In the world. and las
night got a telegram saying that lren
vas his wife. and. although she stIl
refused to say why she had acted 3
strangely. he was quite satisfied. to hav
got her NJ al aud was supremel
thankful
In that week he 1lent here In IN
city he furnished a beautiful nat. dc
voted himself TO 80 doing. taking note
OF things he saw In other houses 1
which he had the entrce. Eyerythin
Is ready for the coming OF the brld
tonight. even to the stationery. tinte
her fayorltc color and marked With he
monogram her new initials. OF cours,
Framed photographs OF her island HON
hang upon the walls he has prepared
] room for her sisters to occupy whe
they visit her and even the frcs are lal,
must 30 now or ! shall be too late I
welcome them 10 their new HON,
{ which have promised to do. as well,
; with a whimsical smile. "as apply
, match 10 the Gre In the parlor. 80 tbs
b cheerful blaze shall greet her whe
she steps inside the door. and woul
not omit this ceremony for anything
No. Charlie. you can't so with me; Al
invited, ard alone. 20 ] must bid 20
! an goodnight You can all send job
wedding present. Of course. and q
doubt he will invite you TO visit hiu
and make the acquaintance Of the 81
; who has acted so strangely. And pc
haIs you may some Of you be able
y DO what passes my ability dlscoy'