The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-09-08
An Ideal Courtship
By Gizelle D'Unger.

THE crimson shaded lamp shed a
soft radiance upon woman,
cowned in some white fabric which
.nveloped her figure Opposite her,
lounging in careless fashion, was her
companion. handsome man of 30
years.
Judging from their surroundings, in
dicatiye OF culture and refinement, IL
might have been supposed topics of abb
sorbing interest. of travel. exciting ad-
venture or historical narrative were
being discussed.
The ease and grace of the woman
were equaled by the intensity of the
man. whose outward appearance
showed only cold and calm thought.
The woman broke the silence by say
kIy in clear. low tones: $50 you still
cling to your ideals. After these many
years you still respect the good, the
true. the beautiful. happy man"
The shade OF cynicism conveyed in
these few words grated upon the sens!-
tive temperament of the man.
Certainly. Agnes" he replied. quiet
". although fierce remonstance was in
his heart. why do | find you so
changed? Five years ago you were
enthusiastic in dilating upon the .,eau-
ties of friendship. platonic or sther-
wise: of the ideal in love, ideal happi-
ness in home where two souls with
but single thought. including the
remainder of Ingomar's rapturous So
liloquy. Tonight you return chance
assertion with singing swiftness, no;
unlike the strokes you use in tennis
matches"
Really. Jack. your remarks are quite
confusing. Ideals and tennis matches.
What other novelties in metaphor can
YOU Offer" laughingly rejoined Agnes.
but she placed her fan TO her lips TO
control their quivering. so fearful was
she that the subdued light would betray
her emotion.
On such a night five years before, in
the same place. they had discussed
ideals. All. how well she remembered
IL. When he left she wore diamond
circle. happy in the belief OF mans sin
ccrity. One year of bliss. her father
died. and the wedding had to be post
poned. As fate would have il. Jack
Wilson was ordered to Paris on special
business for his firm. Thus il CHANGED
that Agnes Leighton babe bin fare
well ar the steamers dock. and wat ched
the dim speck OF smoke which carried
the one she loved above ali vanish In
the horizon.
Letters came and went. Soon I'M
pleasant rumors reached her ears. then
were openly discusscd: rumors that
Jacks life was not becoming ia an en-
gagged man. Agnes crushed her sus-
picions and defended him nobly. when
her mother advised her to inquire of
Jack the cause of these rumors.
In an evil moment, a copy of the
Figaro reached her through friend.
containing an account of the ma gnifi
cent success of former schoolmate
who embraced music as a profession.
CHANGING through the paper Agnes was
Mortified to learn of the infatuation
of NJ. Jacque Wilson for pretty SOU
brette who charmed the crowds OF Wis
itors at a famous cafe chantant.
Naturally. this seemed conclusive
proof of which Agnes awaited herself
10 the extent that she sent the clip
ping and her engagement ring TO his
address in Paris. Swift as the mail
could bring it came reply from Jack
begging her TO believe i'm him. that
while appearances were against him, he
knew time would prove all things;
chat hs was bound BY vow Of silence