The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-04-04
SET. Pa, WEDNESDAY. APRIL 4. 1900.
JACQUEMINOTS.


ut was awfulIy good Of you to re.
member me 80 handsomely, dear Bob. -
murmured Irene Benson as she buried
her somewhat pronounced chin In the
gorgeous bouquet that had ELECTED the
remark.
The individual so affeetionately styl-
ed Bob was, according to mis- eartes
de visite, Mr.. r Sincl4ir King, though
withina few years OF the date Of this
story be had always given prominence
70 the first name bestowed upon him
by his godfather and godmother, and
had correspOndingIy obscured the Que
that now stood out 50 boldly against
the ehaste cardboard background. In
innate acquaintance still addressed
him as bob" with or without adiec-
tives, according to their sex and senti-
ments- In the capacity Of iancee his
present companion naturally exercised
special right over him, against which
he did not rebel
True, she was the fourth young lady
IN half as many years that the gushing,
naxen-haired, rnoney-burdeued Mr..
King bad bound himself to with sacred
promises. solemnized by temporary
sincerity, and of course society laugh
ell az her for expecting to retain the
devotion Of man who had so quickly
tired Of three handsome predecessors
But Miss Benson only smiled sweetly.
She was not beautiful certainly; but
she never for a moment argued the
question with the mirror. Her vision
was wonderfully clear and easily dis
cerned such defects as an elongated
chin that would not diminish with
age, an aspiring nose, and an absence
Of nstaral color in the cheeks. Never
theless, she was by no means plain,
and at times her large gray eyes seem
ed to lend their beauty TO her features
Then, tco, she was admittedly clever
quality that can Oftimes hold man
when the tinsel bonds of fascination
have snapped.
Already the engagement was three
months old, and though the wafehfnl
professed to notice a gradual decline in
tie gentleman's attentions. there wss
nothing sufficiently marked to attract
any general comment
AS matter of fact "dear Bob was
tiring ever so little of his fourth con
quest, but he was not yete with any
thing more desirable, and he scorned
the old adage 30 redundant with eau
tiop.
He thought Irene looked remarka-
bly, well on this evening, and he had
led her away from the throng Of
dancers to gladden. her healt with
few efficaeious and well-tried words of
praise They were little battered with
much campaigning, for Mr.. Kings
range in metaphoricel composition was
painfully limited, bat as they were all
illumIned with the glow Of gold the
necessary effect was invariably pro-
duced.
Everything had proceeded very nice
" until Irene had murmured her
thanks for the flowers Then a save
of hot confusion that experience and
diplomacy could not keep back swept
over the gentlemanis fair face. He
moved restlessly in his seat, then
glanced askance at the bouquet Several
nmes he cleared his throat and straight
ened his neck a. though breathing
with an effort.
Meantime his companion continued
the ones sided conversation.
"Red is my color" she ssid,-the
deep, rich red cf these roses L was 50
delighted when they arrived this after
noon that fairly danced with joy.
Aunt thought was crazy, but when
she saw the cause Of my actions she
was almost as bsS herself 1t was real
iy too good of you, Bob"
"Don't thank me, Irene" eommenc-
ed Mr.. King. But Irene cut him short.
"Why shouldn't thank you ?" she
asked effusively. 81 know lots ofen-
gagged girls whose intended never both
~ sending them flowers But you are
not like that" and she bent her gray
eyes upon him, shining with love aad
gratitude.
But this did not serve to put Mr.
King at his ease. A elammy. persPira-
ton stood out on his smooth, low fore
head.
"Are you Ill, Bob?" asked Miss
Benson, suddenly looking up and see
ing the metamorphosis in her dear one
She seized his hand and stroked il ner-
vously, while her twitehing face and
short drawn breath expressed the
anxiety she felt
With a mighty effort Mr.. King pull
ed himself together; and from his man
ly chest there came laugh of great di-
,nensions, but so hollow aud heartless as
to seem but the echo ola past happiness
"I'm ali right" he said boisterously:
"never felt better, though it is trifie
warm; but the fact is-well, dear, about
that bouquet. Was there any card sent
with IL?
"Why should there have been a
card ?u inquired Miss Benson softly.
cit WAS not necessary. 1 knew you
sent the flowers, because only you had
the right TO do 50. But, dear, it wes
very extravsgant Of you to send such a
profusion," /" and again her face sought
the caress Of the velvety petals
Admiration had somewhat displaced
the agitation in Hr. King'seyes as they
rested upon the rounded arms and daz-
cling shoulders Of his companion, so
Eve-like in modest nudity.
ssThey are beautiful" he murmured
with great tenderness. She thought
he referred to the roses
He wondered why be bad diminish
ed his attentions to this girl, who
would make him such an attractive