Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-04-01

", its serious this time" U have
heard this remark made before under
similar circumstances.)
Il sincerely trust it isl" replied.
\ good-loolling, wealthy man, past
80, has no right to be unmarried.
This has happened whilst l have
been away?" l added.
He nodded.
and the maiden is" began.
st. Croix actually looked confused.
"Well, she's hardly" he said, awk-
wardly, that is-of course, she's
young-well, the fact is, she's
widow!"
l glanced at him reproachfully.
"Any-er-"
NO, no." he replied, hurriedly, "of
course there are no children. Why,
man, she's only young herself-hus-
band died in India-fever, snake bite
or some other handy thing of that kind
o, no." he went on, with a smile, Il
couldn't do it if there were any chill
dren."
Have you actually proposed to herr
"Not yet" he replied thoughtfully
'but / feel that it is as good as settled
Ingram" he continued, with an air OF
enthusiasm, shes adorable. She"
'Mv dear ST. Croix," / said, these
condolences remind me of the good old
days"
"Ah," he replied, with L sigh, this
is no boyish flirtation!"
"By Jove!" he cried, as an idea struck
him, you two will get on caPitally
together. Having both been in India
you will be able to
Chat about her husband?" l sug-
gested.
ST. Croi,z looked serious.
Poor child,' he said in a compass
sionate tone. "She must have been
very unhappy during that time!"
1t is strange how men generally re-
fer to their wives first marriages in
this way
Eve are admirably suited" he con-
tinued, his face lighting up. 81 am 30
and she-well, 1 should say she is 25
A man should be year or so cider than
his wife"
"Yes," 1 agreed, "she is very young
for widow"
"Much too young" replied st. Croix;
chats one reason why she should
marry again!"
.eTras," eajL. 'un-v long has IL
been going onP"
He considered for few minutes.
81 first saw her." he said, slowly, al
ten minutes to nine on Monday last
week!"
"My dear fellow!" l exclaimed, you
must hurry up matters; the lady will
positively weary of the courtship!
Just then the cab drew up with
jerk.
Here we are" said st. Croix. Jump
out!"
After greeting our hostess we sep
arated. Several people of my acqualn
tance were there, and had to &c
through the usual number OF duty
dances. Presently | saw st. Crolx
coming towards me.
Ingram" he said, taking me by the
arm, come with me-"
There is nobody SO exacting as man
in love.
"She is waiting to be introduced to
YOU" he said, as we made our way TO the
conservatory. Here, in a secluded
corner (for St. Croix is experienced in
these matters), we found the lady.
'Mrs. Fordyoe," said st. Croix, al
low me to"
"Mrs Fordycel"
I looked Mt her, then burst out laugh
ing.
"Dr. Ingram!" she exclaimed.
"You know one another?" cried st
Croix, with a puzzled look.
"Why," l said, "I have known Mrs.
Fordyce since"
Eyes, DIR. Ingram and / are quite old
friends" she interrupted, with glance
Mt me.
/ understood.
THAT is iolly!" st. Croix said, heart
lily.
| am not sure that Mrs. Fordyce
agreed with him entirely.
The strains OF waltz came through
the open doors ST. Croix looked at his
programme.
"Bother!" he cried. Its my dance
with the daughter of the house. VIII
you kindly look after Mrs. Fordyce, In
gram?"
81 should be delighted" replied, and
! he hurried Off.
As soon as he had disappeared ]
turned to Mrs Fordyce.
"It's all very odd" remarked.
"What?" she queried-"that you
should turn out to be the friend Mr.
ST. Croix has been talking to me
about?"
l smiled the quaintness OF the whole
matter seemed infinitely amusing tc
me.
"No," said, that you should be the
lady whose charms he has been dcscrib-
ing 70 me-"
She blushed; 1 gazed Mt her critic
ally.
"'Pon my word" i exclaimed nj
length, "it is positively marvellous, tc
think that it is close upon"
THAT is just what don't want you tc
think, doctor" she interrupted.
But, my dear Mrs. Fordyce, you ac
tually look younger and more beautiful!
than you did when we were together al
Simla!"
She laughed.
eve have always been In the habit OF
speaking plainly to one another"
YES" | agreed; 1T saves time"
She gave me n nervous little glance.
"O," | said, reassuringly, II am youl
friend"
She was playing with the edge OF her
fan.
"a woman is only as old as she
| looks" she observed, "and | was mar
ried at an extremely carly age"
"St. Croix was perfectly justified in
his cstimatc-25 he told me-" | said,
with a laugh. But that is a detail;
| tho thing that will surprise him most
will bc the fact that Clare eNists."
She looked at me with smile.
| "Ah, YOU have met her at the Ros