Middletown transcript., 1898-10-08
CoNsoLED.

| became enga geQ 10 MISS huUduSs WI
and Richard had been almost INSOFAR
able from childhood, and the latter wa
an old friend OF mine also.
/ we did not know Miss Rhoads, bu
Richard assured US we could not fai
to like her, and Will said his opinion
was to be considered. for of course il
was quite impartial.
To tell the truth. on meeting MISS
Rhoads we did not share Richards en-
thusiasm. She had reserved manner
and was not particularly pleasing in
any way. And she did not seem suffi'
ciently In love with Richar to suit me-
Indeed went so far as to say that ]
did not believe she cared for him at all.
I had to admit she was fine looking,
though not handsome, and she was
older then Richard. He confided to
Will that he was past the age to be at
tracted simply by pretty face. and
no fancy for girls in their teens, Rich
ard was %.
Our worst fears were soon realizod.
One night my betrethed did not come
to see me, which surprised me much,
for it was important | should consult
with him about the new house.
The next morning I received a tele-
gram from Will:
Could not come last night. Richard in
trouble. Engagement broken.
1t was two or three days before ! saw
Will, and then he came in at noon for
hurried call. He looked worn and
harassed, but patiently replied to the
countless questions 1 asked in regard
to Richards affair. 1t seemed that
Miss Rhoads had been mistaken in the
nature of her regard for him, as she
expressed it. In other words, she had
not really cared for him, but tried to
do so, urged by her family and tempted
by his wealth. Will thought there was
another lover in the background, but
Richard did not suspect it. The poor
fellow was complete wreck, and for
the next few days " i'll was constantly
with his distracted friend and had no
time to give to me. When he did come,
it was to say that he had prevailed
upon Richard to 60 away for awhile,
the latter consenting on the condition
that Will would accompany him.
NY lover could i'll afford to leave at
this time, and his absence would be
most trying to me, as | wanted his
advice concerning the house. How
ever neither of US felt that we could
urge any claims of our own in the face
Of Richards dire need. So we reluct-
emily bade each other goodby. The
trip benefited the heartbroken lover,
and on his return he consented to take
up his residence at home and after a
time resumed his customary visits to
our house, though he scarcely spoke
and looked the picture Of despair. Il
was little wearing for Will and me,
for out. of courtsey to poor Richard we
did not like TO speak of the wedding or
any of the arrangements when be was
present, and as our minds were natur-
ally occupied with the topic in question
our conversation was sometimes rather
forced. We had expected him to act
as best man at our wedding, but il
seemed more than doubtful that ht
would feel equal to the position in bis
present state Of mind. We were anx'
ious to know how he felt about tht
matter, and at last Will touched upor
the subject.
sit is evident that you know nothing
Of my feelings" said Richard in al
injured tone. 81 shall probably nevel
attel.d wedding again as long as
live. 1t would be torture, agony
simply unbearable. I would do grea
deal for you, but don It ask me anything
so utterly impossible
Will humbly apologized and hastenet
to ask his cousin to act as best man
He accepted with alacerity.
WHIPS sister Dorothy, a girl Of 1s
was to be my maid Of honor. She ha,
been abroad for the last three years
finishing her education. When sh'
went away, she was schoolgirl, and no
realizi ng the change year or two ca
make at her age we were surprised t
receive photograph showing her t
be a pretty and progressing youn
lady, with quite the air, as We imagir
ed from her pose, Of society woman
It was two or three weeks afte
Will's conversation with Richard !
regards to the matter of best man tha
one evening our afflicted friend littl
less morose than usual. He picked u
Dorothy's picture, which was lying Q
the table.
"What pretty grip he exclaimed
I i" Who is she2"
"You ought to know her." replie
r win. "You and she we're fast friend
once. She's no other than my sist'
Dorothy"
"That handsome girl my little frier
Dorothyl Why 1 thought of her |
Y still a child. BY Joye, but she's
Il beantyln said Richard, with more an
nation than he had displayed since b
engagement was broken.
# It was relief to see him somethir
like his old self, If only for a momen
G but he surprised us by conversing Jul
: cheerfully the rest Of the evening.
A few days latter VIII appeared In
H most excited frame of mind. Richa
was at the house at the time, but w
did not notice him AS be rushed in 9
claiming;
"Such Ill luckl Cousin Henry
down with the mumps. Did you ev
hear anything 30 ridiculous, and {