The Opelousas courier., 1897-05-08
q OTHER GIRL

dancing attendance all summer, al
if he had only just been satisfied
dance forever, like q mechanical do
or a jumping jack, all would ha,
been very we'll. But when it came
marrying
"No, Robert" she said agai,
crossing her small bronze slippers IT
solutely. II like to talk with you,a an
walk with you; but as for anythin
further"
"But, JESSIE" persisted the youn
man, coming over and standing ii
front of her, eff you like to walk wit
me, why not walk through life witt
me? And as for talk, ng, why dom
you SEQ you'd have no end Of q chance
for that if you married MOP"
"Yes; and then you'd call it incom.
patibility," she said.
ono, I wouldn't - honestly
wouldn't-just try mel"
"That's just it. Robert" she said.
''If only I could try you. and return
you if I didn't like you"
"But You would like me, I'm sure
you would. Oh, Jessie, .lo be q law
yer's own daughter. and reverse your
decision!"
-"Humph, and have to carry it to a
higher court"
"There couldn't be higher court
than that I'm paying you now,
and, besides, I don't care how I carry
it."
"But I'm not to be caught - so
there!"
This scene was taking place in the
pretty, cheerful drawing room Rob-
crt Cortright knew SO well-the pretty
drawing room which he had been fire.
quenting for the past six months, and
whose every ornament was dear to
him because of his association with
her. The tall lamps with their ballet
skirts, the piano, the chairs, the rugs,
the little tea table with its silver and
delicate china, everything was in it's
usual place. and yet an unfamiliar, chilly
air lowered over it.
He realized with a sudden pang the
dreadful cruelty of women in general
and of the one woman in particular.
'Jessie," he said, coming closer to
her and folding his arms, II wish you
had given me q hint or something of
this; it would have been q bit more
mereiful, instead of letting me go on
hoping"
"Mr. Cortright!" she interrupted,
sitting bolt upright on the sofa, "do
you mean to insinuate that I have en-
couraged your"
"Well, you certainly haven't dis
couraged me-"
She tossed her head.
II don't see how you can call it en-
~couraging you. I have never allowed
you to come here more than four times
a week! Perhaps it was a bit injudi-
my permitting you to write me
those few notes, but never mind. I
shall send them back tomorrow. The
bonbons and flowers, unfortunately. I
return"
"Jessie," bending his brows stern
FFapon her, sis it kind to talk like
"About as kind as to tell me T en-
outraged you," curtly.
"Well, perhaps you didn't encour.
'ge me. ! was probably only a poor
"Yes," she said. "you probably
He walked away from her and went
md stood over by the fireplace.
ut seems strange hat you, who are
o pretty and sweet looking, and grace
u, and womanly, and all that, should
'e SO utterly cruel and heartless!"
SWELL, then. why on earth do you
Rant to marry melt I am SO horrid?"
"It is strange, isn't?"
NC"
There was silence between them for
few moments. He stood gazing
own at his shoes, while she main
aiaed her formal attitude on the sofa
uddenly she looked up. !
"Of course, / am mindful Of the !
you are paying me in asking :
to marry you"
"Oh, spare me that-do."
"Why, WHAT the matter? Isn't it
4 honor?" =
He shrugged his shoulders. !.
That's what they all say when they !.
fuse a man.
"Ahl Do they, indeed? Then you :
low what they all say?" t.,
He made no reply. !.
i am sorry ! am like the rest OF
em-I had hoped I was q little diff. :
rent--a bit original-n's 40 dread :