The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-04-04

soft," he mnttersd. s.Wonder If he
sent her the fi)wers? II would bejast
like his impudence. don't like him,
anyway. I'll see that he enjoys no
more Of Ireae's divine daucingllD
Mr.. King returned 70 the ballroom,
jealous for the first time in his life.
He found an irate partner awaiting
him with little pretense Of patience.
Usually mild and laughing, he apollo
gized for his unavoidable delay with
ssvagery that revealed the trie extent
OF his repentance.
Always graceful dancer, he conduct
ed himself on this occasion with so
much swkwardness that he was soon
the cynosure OF many surprised eyes,
50 much 50, in fact. that before the
music was much more than half
way through his partner was forced to
call halt, for the pace had been fas.
one and she had MT escaped without
several collisions which had more or
less deranged her toilette. Anger
sparkled in her eyes, bat to no effect,
for Mr.. Kings gaze kep- a close watch
on his absent thoughts. Curiosity i'm
PEELED his partner to follow the former;
she saw Miss Benson gliding gracefully
along with Mr.. Lpvelace, a msgnid-
cent bouquet Of Jsequeminot roses
which she held peeping over his broad
shoulder.
"Are you still enamoured Of Miss
Benson?'' she pertly asked, for the
brevity Of Mr.. Kings attentions was
ordinary talk.
81 am engaged to her." he answered
stifiy.
"Still?"
The query was Aggravatingly sAr-
castle
81 hardly understand you" remark
ed Mr.. King with great dignity.
The lady laughed good-naturedly.
She was pretty and much admired.
Mr.. King had neglected to pay due
homage to her charms, and she took
malicious enjoyment in adding to his
evident discomfort.
When il was rumored that his atten-
tions to Miss Benson were losing force,
Miss Archer had taken hasty counsel
with herself and decided upon plan
of campaign by which she might cap
ture and retain the regal favor. On
this evening she had hoped by pre-
liminary skirmish 10 get thugs well
under way, but the gentleman's pre-
occupation upset her calculations
When she realized that his fiancee still
held his inner thoughts, her chagrin
rose TO the surface and was driven hith-
er and thither by the wind of disap-
pointment. She therefore piled her
partner with annoying questions.
You mustn't mind me laughing"
said she, as the echoes Of well-modu-
lated effort died away without a strug-
gle, ''but you see. Mr.. King, you've
announced your engagement SO many
times, and you have transplanted your
affections so rapidly from one lady to
another, that-weIl, presumed your
understanding with Miss Benson had
by this time become misnnderstand
ing"
"Indeedg'
'.NOw, you shouldn't be angry with
people for thinking this. You've been
such fiirt, and il was whispered that
your attentions to your present fiancee
we're we'll" The speaker hesi-
tated with charming provOcativeness.
"Were what ?'i asked Mr.. King more
impatiently than etiquette demanded
The music had by this time ceased,
aud he noticed with rising wrath that
sfr. Lovelace occupied a divan with
Miss Benson and was fauning her as
siduously. Miss Archer viewed the
same picture with different feelings
"WelI," she continued, "the rumor
began to circulate that your attentions
were-ah-not as ardent as they
might be, and, of course, every one ex-
pected soon to hear Of your again being
fsney free. You've deceived Us so
often. you know"
Every one Is liable to make mis-
takes retOrted Mr.. King.
Certainly; that's why won iered If
your engagement with Miss Benson
was still on"
Il haven't made a mistake this
time"
A few hours earlier he rIight not
have felt so positive on this point, but
he was now bound u foil the donor
of the gorgeous bouquet-the hateful
flowers which, from lime to time, his
lady love pressed to the full lips that
rivaIled them in color. And Lovelaee
gazed at her 50 sffectionately that the
Jealous man saw ia him a rival.
.'I'm so glad you have decided TO
settle down." nurmlrsd Miss Archer
THANK you"
''I must congratulate you on Miss
Bsnson's appearance this evening.
Her gown looks almost as good as new.
and her bouquet is really the hand
somest in the room. You show re-
markably good taste.
Mr.. King did not mind the cut at his
fancee, 50 uncomfortable did the refer
ence to the flowers make him feel
"How is il you're wearing a rose Of
another color?n continued Miss Archer,
nodding towards his buttonhole.
"I always wear white"
sIt looks pink in this light" The
speakers glance was ever so quizzicaI.
AT this juneture the orchestra launeh-
ed out into brisk polka, and with
look OF inexpressible relief Mr.. King
bowed his adisu to the tormenting
young lady. With desperate resolve to
be alone, he hastened to the smoking
room on the fiat above, where a hazy
curtain floating about the entrance
showed the purpose it served He was
zngry at being so numerically chaffed
by girl who he felt would be quite
content TO occupy the place in his heart
nov filed by another, but he WIS
chiefly upset on account of that bou-
quet which he had not sent.
He seized cigarette from the table.
aud, lighting il by the gas, puffed away
violently. he began to feel positive