The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1901-08-01

trifie lacking in penetration.
Broadbrldge was young enough 20
natter himself that he understood
women very well. Such presumption
generally carries with II It's own pun
isbment. When Miss Peters, after
that conversation about his heroine,
began TO avoid him, he made mp his
mind that she had read In his eyes
his growing interest, and did not
care To encc uraEe II. Brohdbridge
hefan to fccl blue and his story be-
came of secondary Importance. The
rector possessed a valuable reference
library, which he placed at Broad
bridges disposnl.
When Miss Peters began Ia desert
him in his walks the library was
prctext for meeting her. The story
was almost finished, and in spite ~
his hluencss he fei, singularly elated
over IL. Miss Peters lack Of interest,
however. married his content He was
sitting In the library late one after
noon reading when she came in uncy.
pectrdly. She nodded cordially to
Broadbridgc. seized book aud
turned 10 leave
stay and talk" pleaded BROAD.
bridge. Its too early for lights and
too dusty to read"
We've nothing more TO talk about"
said Miss Peters, gazing into the fire.
81 know what you would say on ey.
cry subject"
Well. life, for instance" suggested
Broadbridgc, nettlcd.
An IN endured because man II vain
ard objects 10 becoming nothing"
And DEATH"
AN ending with no fresh begin.
ming"
And love-"
"Flirtation carried to IFS logical
conclusion -disillusionmcnt"
As she mockingly repeated some %
his own pet cynicisms Miss Peters
looked provnkiugly impairment in
the firelight, but. Of course. she
couldn't realize her own irresistible
charm. and when Broadhridge sud.
denly kissed her there seemed no ex-
cuse for him. lie had no opportunity
| for the explanation that was meant
IN follow the kissing, for Miss Peters.
after one indignant. scorniul glance,
/ ard from the room. That night he
almost finished the story. The next
morning, IN passing through the hall.
/ hr heard Miss Peters voice talking
| 10 his hostess.
- IT lon
standing" she was saying although
don't believe I've ever mentioned
the name to you before
ITS perfectly lovely, and con.
graduate YOU"
Broadhridgr. dared seized his hat
and rushed out Of the house. rte
walked all morning. In the after.
noon he tried 10 finish his story. hu'
/ found he couldn't write nm in'rlli-
gent line. Finally. with sudden re-
solve. he bundled up and sent u nm.
| finished To the editor. The next day
/ he went down to hid the rector good
hy. II" inquired for Miss Peters
"Ah." said the rector. kindly. "shr
was so sorry 10 leave without seeing
. Won. She left last night for Roston
| TO attend the wedding Of college
/ friend IT, an engagement ~ long
standing. I believe. The girls prom.
| isrd ai college that whoever was
married first should invite the other
| 10 be maid ~ honor"
/ "Ah." said Broadhridgc. In turn,
and there was no apparent excuse for
| the gayrty that WAS expressed in that
tiny monosy liable. I'm probably see
Miss Peters, then. I'm going to Bos-
| ton later myself"
| Two weeks after he left Ashton
! Rrnadhridgr received q letter from
| the editor, together with the manu-.
script. "Iour story is the most
available Of any sent in." said the let
ter. but IT, not finished. Doubtless
YOU overlooked sending NJ the las'
sheet. II II ends happily, send 10
| hack to ~ with the missing sheet,
and we'll consider IT,"
Two days later Miss Peters In Hos.
ton received manuscript entitled
I"An Tgly Girl" together with the
note Eroa,;bridrr had received from
the editor There was also note
/ from Broadhridgc himself
I'm in a dilemma" said this lat.
ter note. 81 should like 20 have the
story accepted for It's acceptance
would help make possible nm ideal
honeymoon with Easter, perhaps, In
Rome. Hut the story is true to life.
I cant mar 4 by making mp an end.
ing. Please read it yourself and tell
me whether u is to end happily"
~, too. should like 70 have the
story accepted" wrote back Miss
Peters, for feel as II had q pro-
prietary intercs, in 1t, End It happily.
by all means"
OF course there was n postscript.
"Your title is misnomcr," IL said.
"You call your heroine ugly, but you
make her out angelic"
That night Broadbridge took tho
train for postou