El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-20
FOLDING DOORS.

she changes their mood by passing them
through the folding doors. Upon the aft
ernuon in question she received me in the
music room; so my usual gayety deserted
me and conversation seemed to flag.
81 have often wondered, p" she said sud-
denly after had sighed three times, "why
you quarreled with Thea Lester. Forgive
me for abiding to a painful subject.
1.-THE fact is, my dear Mrs. Haviland, I
didn't quarrel with her" My hostess
shook her pretty head.
You don't mean to tell me that it was
Thea's fault? 1 simply can't imagine her
quarreling with anybody"
''Of course she wouldn It. -
''Then, if you didn't quarrel with her,
and she didn't quarrel with you, however
did you quarrel with one another?" I
shook my head and looked into the con-
servatory.
1--WE didn't exactly QUARREL I said.
1--WE thought it better to part-at least,
that is what we said"
Mrs. Haviland is an excellent little wo-
man, whose only weakness is a mania for
marrying off her friends.
1T was in this house." she exclaimed,
almost tearfully, Sin this very room if I
am not mistaken, that you and Thea
Yes; it was" She left US alone for
two whole hours, the good little soul!
''You both gave me your confidence
then,'' She is one of those nice little wo-
men whom every body confides in, you
know.
believe me, 1 should confide in you
now, if there were anything to confide,
but there isn't 1 didn't want to talk
to any one about it either.
She shook her head slowly. "When you
talk about-it-as if it were mere moth
ing, know that you are not in earnest,
ID
l twirled my mustache uneasily. She
was evidently determined to know all
about it, and somehow she always gets
her own way.
1.-The simple TRUTH 1 said, "my dear
Mrs. Haviland, is that Thea and 1 found
out that we were absolutely different in
tastes and opinions"
g OF course; that is the proper thing"
''She is as serious as-this music room
of yours
Most people consider it a charming
ROOM
Certainly. Thea is the most charming
of women-with one rival" She smiled
and held up her hands deprecatingly.
My respect and admiration have not less
ened in the slightest"
II am glad of that'' she cried, clasping
her hands. "But it makes me regret all
the more that you-oh, why should you?'
light as your pretty pink room."
GAS attractive in another way" she OBJ
served. with complimentary smile.
''Well, the long and short of it is that
Thea was always green, and was always
pink, and neither could change the other"
why need you try?" laughed little.
'Thea is quite missionary, you know.
OF course she was bent on reforming me-"
IAN impossible task! But you might
hoy dod hor hot CTR al
teration was necessary.
''She intimated her disapproval of smok-
ing and billiards the day after our engage
ment.''
''Surely she didn't insist on her objec-
ton. That would be unreasonable. -
''Well no. She conceded smoking and
a little billiards, but she wanted me to go
to church about three times a week, to
give up betting-it's only trifle now and
then, just for fun, assure you
Il know. Like Fred" She nodded.
Mrs. Haviland bets pair of gloves occa-
sionally herself and pays when she loses
she wished me to avoid music halls. |
to forswear whisky and to take her to a
lecture on the primitive something or 9TH
ers once week. -
why not?" My hostess shrugged her
shoulders and held out her hands expan- |
sively. 1 shrugged my shoulders with less
elegance, but equal emphasis.
Because Im-pink, said. She stud |
led the bows on her slippers for a few mo-
ments.
''You were very fond of her?' she ask
I'd suddenly. I dropped my gloves and |
picked them up again before answering.
Yes I said stubbornly, Il was.''
''And you are?''
Yes said, II am
you wish sometimes that you hadn't |
9arted?' 1 tapped the floor impatiently.
ives, 1 do. But as we could not |
agree''-
"Ohl'' she cried responsibility you
night have tried little harder. It was
,nly matter of really understanding each
,ther; only case of a few concessions on
zach side. All people have to make them,
wen Fred and T." They certainly seem
10 get on very well.
"I'm certain Thea Wouldn't 1 said
loggedly.
Don't you think she very, very
ond of your"
''That's just what I wasn't sure. If
lad been'-
Il venture to say that 1 am sure.'
bought heard a movement in the next
DOM. You can hear through the folding
loors.
There isn't any one in there, I sup
'ose?'' asked. 'It sounded just like
1.-The wind rattling the window she
aid laughing. Il haven't fastened it.
DON'T you think Thea very pretty and
weet and good?"
Most certainly 1 do. I-weIl, shall
ever think any one like her." I never
hall.
"Then why don't you put the matter
rankly to her. If you appeal to her love
Or you. i know she will meet you half
'ay. And, my dear Mr.. Richmond
he put her hand on my sleeve in her
agerness-''you wouldn't be any the
7orse for an occasional keeping in
reen!'
1 considered the matter carefully for
sw minutes. You are quite right, as
sual," 1 said resolutely. 81 will go and