The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-03-07

tlkS LIE k0SCss %
We passed opt Of the fleroom. I, !,
Phyllis, we must be going, dear
said Ethel. 81
/ led Phyllis down the narrow stairs.
A handsome victoria stood at the curb,
II shall be pleased to hear your sto.
! ry," said she. i,stsss ttF
! / It occurred to- me that the tale might
not be to her liking, so said, But 1t
is one of those disagreeable stories :
one where all should end nicely, but
: doesn't: one which ends leaving the
hero, the heroine and the reader dis
satisfied with the world In general and
the author, who is fate, in particular"
Il knew that she was puzzled. She
wasn't quite sure that Twas not refer
ring to the old affair. -.
IF the story is one | never heard
before" suspiciously, II should like to
hear It," = 49, 80 "a
"And does It not occur to you,"
throwing back the robes so that she
might step into the victoria, that fate
has a special grudge against me-?
Oncefwas not enough, but it must be
twice." = y
"And she does not love your, Are
you quite sure? You poor fellowv'
She squeezed my hand kindly. shall
be candid with your" with the faint
est flicker of coquetry in her smile.
"As in the old days." said l. glancing
over my shoulder to see how near the
others were. A groom is never to be
considered. Eyes. as in the old days."
"Well. I have often regretted that
did not accept you as an experiment"
Then l knew that she did not under
stand.
"You must not think l am jesting,"
said l seriously. 'The story is Of the
bittersweet kind. The heroine loves
me. cannot be mine" 49,.
Loves your with a slight start.
"How do you know"
"She has told me So" lowering my
voice.
Frankness of this sort to a woman
who has rejected you has a peculiar
effect. The coquetry faded from her
smile. and there was perceptible con-
traction of the brows. Her eyes,
which were looking into mine, shifted
to the back Of the groom. No. l shall
never understand a woman. She should
have been the most sympathetic wom-
an in the world. yet she appeared to
be annoyed.
"What's all this between you and
PhyllisY asked Ethel. coming up.
"There is nothing between her and
me-" said |.
"Well. there should be-" she retorted.
'"That is the trouble"
My ObServa ton was: Il have always
held that Immediately a woman gets
married she makes it her business to
see that all old bachelors are logged
out and disposed of to old maids"
Il shall never forgive that" Phyllis
declared; never"
"Then shall always have the exqui-
site pleasure Of being a supplicant for
your pardon. 1t is delightful to sue
pardon of beautiful woman"
Phyllis shifted.
Forgive him at once" said Ethel.
"if only for that pretty speech" ~
Mr.. Holland pulled out his watch
suggestivaly.
WELL" said. 81 see that am keep
ing you from your lunch. Goodby,
then. till dinner, when l shall continue
at length on the evils
"William." interrupted Ethel, ad-
dressing the groom, "drive on"
And so they left us.
"Shall we go to lunch now?" asked
of Pembroke.
EYES," rather dreamily. thought.
do you know" with sudden ANNA
ton. "she is remarkably beautiful
womsnY
Eyes, she isl After all, the sight of
Phyllis had rather upset me.
Il had glimpse Of her in Vienna
last winter" went on Pembroke. Il
never knew who she was"
"Viennav' exclaimed.
eyes. 1t was at a concert. Her face
was indelibly craven on my memory.
/ asked a neighbor who she was, but
when l went to point her out she was
gone. should like to see more Of her."
So Gretchen had been in Vienna, and
poor Hillars had never known.
l took Pembroke to the club that aft
ernoon. and we dallied in the billiard
room till time to dress for dinner. Din
ner came. But Phyllis forgot Ito ask
me about the story. at which. grew
puzzled, considering what | know Of
woman's curiosity. And she devoted
most Of her time to Pembroke, who did
not mind. Later we went to the thea
ter-some production of Gilbert and
Sullivan. Whenever glanced at Phyl-
lis l fell to wondering how Gretchen
would have looked in evening dress.
Yes. Phyllis was certainly beautiful,
uncommonly. For years l had wor-
SHIPPED at her shrine, and then-how lit
tie we know of the heart! | was rath.
or distracted during the performance.
and many of my replies went wide the
mark. tl @u...
As we were. leaving the foyer Phyllis
said. Jack. man has been staring
me out Of countenance." u
"Pembroke?" l laughed.
"No. And, moreover. the stare was
accompanied by the most irritating
sneer."
"Point him out to me when we
reach the street." said. humoring
what | thought to be fancy, land