Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-11-20
THAT LITTLE AFFAIR
By a. J. johnson.


1 WAS the winter before VIII and |
4 We're married that Richard Dccring
became engaged to Miss Rlloades. Will
and Richard had been almost inscpcr-
able from childhood, and the latter was
an old friend of mine also.
we did not know Miss Rhoadcs, but
Richard assured us we could not fail
to like her. and Will said his opinion
was quite impartial.
10 tell the truth, on meeting Miss
Rhoades we did not share Richards en-
thusasm. She had a reserved manner.
and was not particularly pleasing in
any way. And she did not seem sufli-
GENTLY in love with Richard to sui, me
Indeed, went SO far as to say that [
did not believe She cared for him nj
all. had 10 admit that She was fine
!ookiI::s. though not handsome. and
she was older than Richard lie con
flded to Will that he was past the age
to be attracted simply by Il pretty face
and he had no fancy for girls in their
teens. Richard VASES
Our worst fears were soon rcnlizrd
One night my be,rothcd 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 l received tele-
gram from WILL ... -
Gould not come last night. Richard
IN trouble. Engagement broLen.'
1T was two or three days before ! saw
VIII, and then he came in at noon for a
hurried call. He look ed worn and h;ir-
raised, but patiently replied to the
countless questions asked in regard
to richards affair 1t seemed that
Miss Rhoadcs had been mistaken in the
nature OF her regard for him as She
expressed it, IL o>ne- ,S .. Il; !,
not really cared for him, but tried to
q" SO. urged by her family and tempt
ed by his wealth. Will thought there
was another lover in the background.
but Richard did not suspect it. The
poor fellow was Il complete wreck, and
for the next few days vii! was con
stantly with his distracted friend, and
mad 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 latter con scnting on condi-
ton that Will would accompany him.
My lover could i'll afford to leave ut
this time. and his absence would be
NEST trying to me. as 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
bade each other good-by. The trip
| benefited the llcartbrokcn lover. and
on his return he consented to take uD
hi. residence nj nome and after a time
resumed his customary visits to our
house, though he scarcely spoke, and
looked the picture of despair. 1t w;ss
Il little wearing on VIII and me, for out
OF courtesy to poor Richard we did not
IKE to speak OF the wedding or any OF
the arrangements when he was pres
ent. and as our minds were naturally
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 it seemed
more thnn doubtful hat he would feel
equal to the position in his present
| state Of mind. We were anxious to
|
ana Mt last viii touched upon the sub
| ject. ". "
| 1T Is evident that YOU know nothing
of my feelings said Richard. In an
injured tone. II shall probably never
attend wedding again as long rs |
live. 1t would be torture agony sim
ply unbearable. I would do a great
deal for you, but don't ask me anything
so utterly impossible"
Will humbly apologiZcd. and has
tened to ask his cousin to act as best
man; he accepted with alacrity.
| Wills sister Dorothy. n girl of 1s.
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 school girl, and
not realizing the change that yeul
OF two can make at her age we were
surprised to receive n photograph show
ing her to be pretty and proposes.
sing young lady, with quite the air. as
we imagined from her pose, of a society
| woman
1t was two or three week. a fter Wills
conversation with Richard in regard tc
l eAAS AAi"ttSi VI i)tSl man lliiJ one even
ing our afflicted friend seemed a little
less morose than usual: he picked VT
Dorothy's picture, which was lying on
the table.
what pretty grill" he exclaimed
"Who is she?'
You ought to know her." replied
Will. "You and she were fast friends
once. She's no other than my sister
Dorothy
That handsome girl my little friend
Dorothy! Why, ! thought OF her as
still a child. By Jovc. but she's a
beauty!" said Richard. with more ami
nation than he had displayed since his
engagement was broken.
It was a relief tosee him something
Ike his.old self, II only for n moment;
hnt he snrprised us by conyersinr quite