River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-09-26

II
was RhOda Nothingbut's. He opened
the box. It was hyacinth this morning.
First he read the telesIdms and
smiled tenderly over the first. GOOD
morning, Cecil" was all it said. 1t
was a facsimile of one that came to
him at this time each day. Surely
| she was a noble-hearted woman. If
she were only younger But youth
after all was crude. There was Fizzie
-uncultured as a hawk. The second
telegram was from a Broadway firm
of haberdashers asking the privilege
of naming new necktie after Cecil.
He Endorsed it firmly NO" He had
always hated that sort of thing. Be
sides, the things they named after
one were always atrocious. Then he
began the notes.
Laura Gotrox wanted him to join a
coaching party Saturday afternoon.
She always did forget about Cecils
matinee days. Mrs. Harry Highroller
was giving something on the 18th.
The Highroller parties were always
nice Yes, he would go. Then Miss
Betty BoXseat wished him to drive out
behind new pair she had Just taken
blue ribbon with. Well, Betty was
fine girl, but it was as much as a
mans life was worth TO sit in trap
with her while she held the reins. Last
time Cecil was all shaken up.
Ha Ha! The Sunday Omelet wished
him to pose for a series of pictures
showing the newest things in mems
wear Decidedly not An author
wished to submit play which he had
specially written with a view to the
chorus boy as its star. Then another
man wrote: II have just completed
charming sketch, AN for Love,
which l have written for two. 1t is
in the same dainty satirical vein as
the popular Foozleorum sextet, and
if you could get one of the young la
dies-preferably the one with reddish
hair-to take the opposite part, l
feel safe in predicting a great success
for you both"
The pretty one with reddish hair
that was Fizzie. The chorus boy could
remember when he thought Fi2zie's
hair the most beautiful in the world.
Rhoda Nothingbut's hair was like ex-
celsior. What pity that Fizzie was
such an odd little thing. Still he
would look at the sketch. "All for
Love" Humph.
He was still thinking with annoying
persistence of Fizzie and wondering
how he would manage to break with
her without hurting her feelings. Of
course she loved him, but that wasn't
the worst of it. He knew that Fizzie
imagined they were engaged. When
they were at the school together he
had been very sweet on her-yes-they
had certainly loved each other in a
boy and girl way, but Fizzie had TAX
en- lot more out of what he had said
that he had meant That was always
the way with a girl who was in love.
The question was how was he to
disabuse Fizzie's mind gently of the
idea that there was anything serious
in it. He had positively paid her no
attention whatever for the last few
weeks and was always out when she
called. He had explained that his So
cial engagements engrossed him to the
exclusion of the old times they used
to have when they had dined at table
d'hotes and lunched at bakeries. They
were happy times enough, but it was
all over now and n brilliant social ca
reer was opening to Cecil. He must
,,1+ I, H., bxy apxs foolish at.
tachment which Fizzie might feel for
him. 1t was odd how she seemed not
to notice. Ordinarily she was girl
of quick perceptions. But in this mat
ter she seemed to have been strangely
/ duh of comprehension. And there was
Rhoda ready 10 be his bride at the
drop of a hat Her father was several
| times n millionaire.
There was ring at the bell, but
James knew he was never at home
mornings, so Cecil continued his cogi-
| tations. With an infinite surprise he
heard a swish of skirts in the hall and
the patter OF French heels. In another
minute Fizzie unceremoniously burst
into the room. Really, the girl was
getting too impossible.
informing, Cess" she exclaimed
exuberantly; Whats the matter?"
/ 81 was somewhat surprised at your
entering without being announced. II
is rather unusual, you know"
oh, cut that out, Cess; don't put
on airs with me. I've some news foI
you"
"Yes -" Cecil fingered a paper
cutter nervously.
I'm going to be married."
"What TO be married."
ITO a millionaire"
"Fizzie You don't mean it,"
Don't l though. Who do yo,
think?"
Haven't an idea"
"Mr. Nothingbut."
Nothing
"But, yes"
"But he's CO."
"And a millionaire"
"But, my dear Fizzle, you musn'
think of such thing"
"Why not? You mustn't thinl
you're the only one who can go il
/ for high society when I'm Mrs. Moth