The Virginia enterprise., 1898-11-11
FLO'S broken ENGAGEMENT,

FL0'S broken ENGAGEMENT,
Why Cousin George Said Things.
l am convinced in my own mind that j,
is quite the right thing for woman to be
really angry sometimes. l don't mean a
raging, violent sort of anger that makes
one. untidy and flushed, but superior,
discreet anger through which one can
smile and talk and cause no damage t,
the arrangement of ones back hair.
He proposed to ME five times, which l
thought pity each time he did it, and
his proposals used to make me hot and
exhausted. They were all made in June,
and generally in the sun cousin George
never had much idea of the fitness of
thlHgs), and l so soon came to the end of
all l had to say that I was at disad-
vantage, and quite uncomforta BILE, sitting
there and saying nothing; whereas,
Cousin George seemed able to prattle on
forever.
l don't know why I did it, but the fifth
time Cousin George grew white about the
Ups and finished up, as usual, by saying:
A.
we'll, don't mind if I do"
And really l didn't mind, for had
known Cousin George for years and
years, and was fond of him, and felt
that, ut any rate, it would put an end ~
MS proposals; and Aunt Theresa said that
July was going to be hot.
So the months went on and George had
to go away; and l grew much fonder of
him then, and don't think would have
cared to change him for any other man
l knew-as fiance; and used to write
lovely letters to him. l used to think out
sentences in the night-little remarks l
knew he'd like to get from me. l really
was attentive to him. I've nothing to re-
proach myself with on that score. And
so things went on.
And then. after while, when George
had been gone some time his letters
changed and he seemed rather troubled
about something. I didn't take much no.
tice of it-I just thought that perhaps the
climate didn't suit him; and once took
the trouble to copy out and send to him q
recipe which I had heard was good fer
one if one felt irritable.
But nothing seemed to cheer George,
and at length, when I was really begin
ming to grow troubled about his temper,
| had letter from him to say he thought
it was his duty to me to say so; he felt
that we 1--WE, if you pleaseD had made
mistake; he could never hope to be wor-
thy of me (his modesty was somewhat
new, etc.-a whole heap of it.
l wrote back and said: ooh, quite
we'll; l expect You know best.o But |
was really awfully angry; and what made
me angrier than anything else was the
thought that neither he nor any one else
rally knew how hard I had found it to
,1o ftn IL
ment to George, and that I hadn't wanted
to be engaged at all. OF course, they all
thought that | was secretly wearing the
willow; and the livelier l became as the
days passed by the more compassionately
my relations looked at me. "She's over
acting, poor dear, they were thinking,
I'm fairly placid, as a rule, but my wrath
a few strong thoughts of George.
AS l said just now, my wrath blazed
out as strong as ever when Jane opened
the door this afternoon and announced
Cousin George, his own self, and smiled
straight into his face, and talked away
without moments awkwardness, and
said how glad l was to see him (Which
was true). 1 told him about every per-
son and every place we had seen and
known together, and l positively dallied
over the subject of his long absence and
the summer before his departure, 1 did
it chiefly. to prove to him that memories
were nothing to me-that was mere JUS
tice to myself; but did see him grip his
hands now and then. and his lips grew
white, just as they used to do when he
kept on proposing.
At length there came pause in our
conversation. and then feigned another
mood, and I made up my mind that I
would not break the silence. Cousin
George sat and breathed hard for a min
,,tn tSx-0 nvof1 fhor, T I, l.
cided OH breaking down the artifciality
of our interview, for he got up from his
Chair and strobe about. l looked out of
the window and pretended to be pensive.
At last he stopped beside me and said:
looked up at him and laughed.
cousin George" l said with mock
solemnity.
"'.Elo, won't you-forgive?'
"Forgive?' l repeated, wrinkling my
brow and looking puzzled. "Forgive. /
have no enemies; people are so good to
me: l rarely have anything to forgive"
"Eorgiye me- he pleaded.
dont forgve ny%ne yf% Wh{ S haye
He turned hastily away, and muttered
something which sounded wicked. Then
he turned to ME again.
"Flo," he pleaded, twill you row down
with me to the island?'
oh 1 said lightly, "I'm so sorry, but
I'm engaged this afternoon Then l
sighed and. added: 'I've so many ell
gagements."
Tomorrow, then-next day-next
week, only promise" .-. .-.<
20, you've no idea of my Importance"
| laughed. "Listen to this" and, rising,
l went to a drawer of my writing table
and took out my little tablets
ySfNt 7 L, III q
uD to him. "Thursday-that's today: tea
At the Forresters'. Friday: Drive to
Ellerton manor, p. P. c. :. -,r,7 ~.
ing away?" - : :, ..
| laughed half shyly, but significantly.
Eyes, I am going away" t admitted,
ION Saturday, to town shopping. On
Sunday to the Daltons', luncheon and din
ncr ne On Monday, picnic on the island.
Oh by the way" l looked up with
pleased .interest-"if you want to see the.
island. better come TO the picnic. I'ln sure
the Wendovers would like to have you.'' Z
ssPicnic!" he snapped, angrify. ''Do you
think | y, want to 60 with 4 whole camp
oh protested blandIy, 1--WE shan't
be that sort at nll." .s e s. s.. !
Thurs he began. =..s. E.@..ss. .s.44 ..4.
:, Thursday" / said, '.'Oh, yes. here it is:
Thursday: To be married. :Ye-es, / shall
be occupied on Thursday s.
u looked up at Cousin George He was.
quite white about the lips then. B. .s S.
To be married = he repeated in sort
of hoarse whisper. ~
,vs,f : Hahs said, nonehalant'y. ''Ir.
y, That = be began, then stopped
5 Styns ~ II IA q 5a,,n ~