Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-11-30
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT

Louis Temple was not his usual
good-natured, CHEEKY self this bright
beautiful morning. There was a look
of trouble on his handsome face as lie
and hands thrust into his pockets.
The sun was shining brightly: the
air was filled with the first sweet
breath Of spring, and everywhere T.
joyous singing of birds But tho.
needed not, for life to him was prat.
tically ended
What n.attered it now if the sun d.l
shine? it could not ligi ten the dark
ness within him. What II the birds
did sing? They could not gladden. his
heart.
One short week ago his fondest
dreams had been realized. and now
Just as he was about to drink from the
cup Of happiness it had been ludely
dashed from his lips Then for the
fourth time that day he drew from
which was death to the hope of years:
My Dear LOu--I am obliged to tell
you that l must break the engagement
which | made with you last Wednes-
day evening, for the fact is this: There
is another who has place before you
in my heart ] have not told YOU Of
him before because | was not sure that
he loved me
II know you will forgive me. dear
for breaking my promise to you aud
you Will not wonder that | love him
when you see how noble and manly
he is.
'Will explain more fully when see
you. Yours hastily, Mildred"
What could it mean? She had sure
ly loved him that evening not 80 long
ago, when in answer to his question
she had placed her hands in his and
softly whispered Yes"
Now there was another-one whom
she had loved all the time, and the
sweet hours spent together wuen her
eyes would not meet his. the ilrshaS
at his approach, her acceptance OF his
flowers and company to the exclusion
of all others had meant NOTHING 10
her.
His mind wandered back over the
years that he had known her. Sine
lived in the city only few mics
away and was ii constant visitor at
the home of her aunt, Mrs. CareU.Eho
was a near neighbor and friend Of mis-
mother. Therefore he had seen much
of her, although he had never visited
her in her own home until the event
full evening one week ago, When he
proposed to her and had been ac-
cepted
How well he remembered that even
ing! She was out when he called. SO
he was invited in to await her return
1t was not long before he heard her
voice in the hall bidding her friends
goodnight.
do not forget, Louise" she had
called. "Our meeting one week from
tonight" He remembered how sur
prlsed and pleased she was to see him.
and atterward, when he had kissed
her at parting, she had told him that
she was the happiest girl in the world.
She must have loved him then
Well, it was ended now ana there
as but one thing he could do-go far
away and forget that such IA girl as
Mildred Wayne ever existed. he had
a brother in California who had lGEg
wanted him to enter into partnership
with him in a paying business Yes
that was his opportunity: he would
join him and the rest of his life should
be devoted TO the accumulation OF
wealth. But, ON. what life it would
be without Mildred by his sdp-;ho
little girl he had thought of rs his own
for Il week, How could he give her
up?
He had been so buSily engaged with
his thoughts that he was Curious of
where mis- feet were leading him. AID
it was not till the sound Ct an az
preaching train aroused him 20 q 2Hr
of his surroundings that he fouM he
was close to the little railroad st"lian.
He walked over and listlcssly
watched the passengers alight. and
could it be? Yes, surely that was Mil
dred coming toward him with Face
as bright as the morning ANA out
stretched hama To greet him.
We'll, here ! am. bright and eorly,
you see. and now what shall we do
with our holiday" she said.
what holiday?" he answered,
vaguely
'Why, did you not get my letter in
which planned TO visit my aunt to-
day."
Louis Temple once more drew from
his pocket the letter which had been
the cause of so much heartache
Mildred, did you or did you not
write that letter?'
She took the letter from his hand
and after reading few lines, said,
Yes, ! wrote that letter to Louise
Farley. breakirs an engagement with
her for this evening. At the same time
| wrote one TO YOU asking you 70 AZ