Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-09-04

undisputed, as the belle of B@n Her
manner with me was as charming as
ever, but there was a slight constraint
at such times as we were altogether
alone; not the constraint of formality
but that of diffidence. For nv part. 1
found that instead of decreasing her
attractions to me, my absence had
served to enhance them. To me she was
then, what she ever has been, the one
woman in the world. Every day L re-
solved to put my fate to the test, but
hesitation, born of timidity, prevented
me, and the time passed away without
my ever giving utterance to the words
of love and passion which / longed to
speak
| But if 1 hesitated, there were others
| more bold-indeed, Bertha at every
garden party" other social func-
ton in the neighborhood, was always
| the center of group of devoted admir-
ers. Among them all Royal Phelps was
prominent alike for his handsome per-
son and for a certain fascination of
| manner which made him popular with
men and women alike. He stood over
six feet, had fair hair and blue eyes, and
an athletic frame in which grace and
strength were equally apparent.
| Bertha, while appearing to share the
general admiration for him, never
seemed quite at ease in his presence,
and it was perhaps this evident con
straint whenever he was present which
led my father to chaff me pleasantly one
evening after dinner by saying:
| Charlie, my boy, you had better not
let your bird of paradise remain I'M
| Gagged much longer, or some one else
may catch it!'' And then the dear old
fellow laughed and winked at me mys-
| ~ !,
| the know.
| L think it was the presence of Royal
Phelps and many suggestive hints about
his devotion to Bertha which finally de-
| termined to put to the test my
| chance of happiness with her.
| 1t was a bright and lovely day in
June, and large party had assembled
| upon the spacious lawn in front of our
bungalow" my father always called
| his house. Bertha had never seemed to
me so fair, altogether worthy of my
love and my life. Early in the after
noon, for she had come before the rest,
to aid us in arranging for our numerous
guests, L had seen her color rise as
made some slight remark about her APP
pearance, and our hands met
| thought hers tremIbled. Was it my
imagination? Or was she, too, like me.
| longing to acknowledge her love?
Il shall not be with you long, Bertha"
l said, hoping thus to prepare the way
| for my proposal. Il shall be leaving
| for Hong Kong within a month to take
up my appointment"
Yes, yes, Charlie, L have heard it all
from father; he says you passed your
exams with flying colors. L am so
glad"
Glad! glad of the fate which ban
ishes me from England, and from
But she did not let me finish the SEN
| tence.
mo, of course not that; it will be
awfully lonely without you, and the
old place won't seem like itself a bit;
but still, you're man, and you have got
to make your name and way in the
world, and I'm glad that you are making
so good start
L could look forward to my life in
the east, Bertha, dear, with a great
deal more joy if the prospect were not
so lonely" Bertha's eyes fell before
my ardent gaze, and fancied that her
| lips trembled, and FASTENED to put an
end to the tension were both under.
when a rollicking voice broke in upon
| us:
"Ah, here you are, Bertha! What,
and Charlie, too! All! 1 hope 1 am
| hal" and Royal Phelps laugh rang out
clear and loud, but with a touch of
cynicism in its ring.
Not for the world" replied Bertha,
crimsoning to her hair: $ we were just
arranging the games for the day, and
now you can help u.s." And so the
golden moment passed, and the word
L had been longing to speak remained
unspoken then, and alas! remained I'M
spoken for many bitter years.
Tennis, and gossip, and tea, and
laughter, and merrymaking soon sped
the afternoon. l had succeeded with
the aid of Bertha's cousin, Eva Win
throp, in beating Royal and Bertha at
tennis, and had then given myself to the
duties of hospitality.
At last, however, L found myself free,
and went in search of Bertha, resolved
/ to endure my uncertainty no longer.
1 approached the library window, and
had almost entered the room when l
heard Bertha's voice. 1t was clear and
| cold and pOSitiye: