The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-12-14

lie 10 ART
He reasoned in this way TO himself
as he told his father that he had
made up his mind to propose for Miss
Everett's hand in marriage
The father seemed little bit sur
prised and quite pleased; wished him
success and happiness, and so they
parted.
Lawrence Went TO his studio: he
had neglected 1t for several days. a
long time, it seemed to him: and
then he dropped i'll upon Miss Mayors
a ID she looked up and greeted him
with a happy. welcoming smile
Have you missed me-" he asked,
wistfully, and she answered as though
the thought had Just occurred to her
why, yes, YOU havebeen away for
a long time
And YOU We're not sOrrv?" he said.
piqued and almost angry at her calm
ness.
She looked up at him with a queer
little smile that seemed TO say she
was not going TO be tempted into any
enthusiastic outbreak of sentiment.
Then she said. resolutelv.
Il am always glad when you come
and sorry when you 90: what more
does your Unsuitable vanity call for?'
Nothing more. " he answered: but
| called to-day to tell YOU that | am
about to give up the studio; that |
shall not be here any more. that lam
going to get married.
| Married" the word died on her
lips: he saw the death-white pallor of
her face, but she was calm after that
first spasm, when her hand went me-
chemically to her throat, as though
she were strangling.
1T is the best thing you can do,
she said, in a hard, strained voice.
Your father is pleased, no doubt,
and your dear ten thousand friends.
Is it "A Chandler or 'Loring'? =
Neither. 1t is an Everett
"Ah, 4 cousin?"
Yes.
"Well | congratulate you. and
that is all. isn't it,
But 10, don't you care for me-a
little?"
.'Oh, immensely, | almost always
do care for men who are about to
marry some other woman" and she
laughed bitterly.
If you had ever loved me. though.
| would not marry another woman.
Again a spasm swept over her face,
and she said:
Don't be idiotic, Lawrie. Run
home-there's a good boy; buy your
self a pretty white necktie. a pair OF
gloves. and be married like man.
but don't let me see your precious
face again for ten years and with a
gesture she tried to make playful,
she pushed him out OF the room and
locked the door. He did not go home
then: but climbed upon the roof and
looked down through the skylieh hit.
wondering if she would go on with
her work as though nothing had hap
pened.
There she was moving up and down
the room with slow staggering steps;
her eyes streaming with tears: her
hands locked nervously; her frame
shaken by cruel sobs as she murmur
ed "Oh. | am such fool for caring
-anything-about it,
In an instant he had slid back down
the rickety ladder, and was knocking
at her door.
"Who is there" she asked. but he
pretended not to hear, and kept on
knocking until she opened the door,
and then he walked in before she had
time to close it again.
Il am tired and my head aches. l
shall not work any more: please
leave me-" she said, in a pleading
tone. But he had taken her in his
arms, and was murmuring words OF
love and hope more to himself than
to her. She drew herself away in
anger and surprise, as soon as she
could, and said:
How dare you treat me SO? You
know very well that | never shall
marry; and if you came TO me to-
morrow, free, with hundred thou
sand dollars in each hand, and offer
ed me your name, and your home and
half your fortune. would not marry