Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-09-19
CONSOLED.

and Richard had been almost insep-
arabic from childhood, and the latter
was an old friend of mine also.
We did not know Miss Rhoades, but
Richard assured US we could not fail to
like her, and Will said his opinion was
to be considered, for of course it was
quite impartial.
To tell the truth, on meeting Miss
Rhoades we did not share Richards en-
thusiasm. She had a reserved manner
and was not particularly pleasing in
any way And she did not seem suffi-
GENTLY in love with Richard to suit me-
Indeed [ went so far as to say that l
did not believe she cared for him at all.
I had to admit that she was fine look
ing, though not handsome, and she was
older than Richard. He cOnfded to
Will that he was past the age to be at
tracted simply by a pretty face, and he
had no fancy for girls in their teens.
Richard was %.
Our worst fears were soon realized.
One night my betrothed 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 I saw
Will, and then he came in at noon for
hurried call He looked worn and
harassed, but patiently replied to the
countless questions I asked in regard to
Richards affair It seemed that Miss
Rhoades had been mistaken in the ma
ture of her regard for him, as she ex-
pressed 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. VIII thought there was an
other lover in the background, but
Richard did not suspect it. The poor
fellow was q complete wreck, and for
the next few days VIII 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 go away for awhile, the lat
ter consenting on condition that Will
would accompany him.
EMy lover could i'll afford to leave at
this time, and his absence would be
most trying to me, as I wanted his adj
vice concerning the house. However,
neither Of US felt that we could urge
any claims Of our own in the face Of
Richards dire need. So we reluctantly
babe each other goodby. The trip bene-
fited the heartbrolzen lover, and on his
return he consented to take up his resi-
dence at home, and after time resumed
his customary visits to our house,
though he scarcely spoke and looked
the picture Of despair. It was little
wearing for VIII and me, for out Of
courtesy to poor Richard we did not
like to speak of the wedding or any Of
the arrangements when he was present,
and as our minds were naturally occu-
pied with the topic in question our con
versation was sometimes rather forced.
We had expected him to act as best
man at our wedding, but it seemed
more than doubtful that he would feel
equal to the position in his present
state of mind. We were anxious to
know how he felt about the matter, and
at last VIII touched upon the subject.
1T IS evident that you know nothing
of my feelings said Richard III an in
-jured tone. q shall probably never at
tend a wedding again as long as I live.
It would be torture, agony, simply IN
bearable. ! would do great deal for
you, but don't ask me anything so ut
terIy impossible.
VIII humbly apologized and hasten
ed to ask his cousin to act as best rnasl.
He accepted with aIacrity.
Wills sister Dorothy, q girl Of IS,
was to be my maid Of honor She had
been abroad for the last three years,
finishing her education. When she went
away. she was a schoolgirl, and not
realizing the change that year or two
can make at her age we were surprised
TO receive 4 photograph showing her to
be a pretty and prepossessing young
lady, with quite the air, as we imagined
from her pose, Of a society woman.
1t was two or three weeks after
Willis conversation with Richard in re-
gard to the matter of best man that one
evening our afflicted friend seemed a
little less morose than usual. He pick
ed up Dorothy's picture, which was
lying on the table.
''What pretty girl!' he exclaimed.
''Who is she?'
"You ought to know her, replied
Will lyon and she were fast friends
once She's no other than my sister
Dorothy"
."That handsome girl my little friend
Dorothy! Why, I thought Of her as
still a child. By Jove, but she's a
beautyr' said Richard, with more ami
nation than he had displayed since his
engagement was broken.
1t was relief to see him something
like his old self, if only for a moment,
but he surprised us by conversing quite
.cheerfully the rest of the evening.
a few days later VIII appeared in
most excited frame of mind. Richard
was at the house at the time but Will