The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-14
Kits
Sweetheart
A STORY OF LOVE AND
A MISTAKE.

: A STORY OF LOVE ANc
{ A MISTAKE. Z
2o..rOO-:-.oO.-:oO-+.-OO-H.eo-A0S
Jack Cardrew whistled. Then up
went his eyebrows. second indication
Of surprise. Then he laid the note on
the table, and. standing oyer It with his
hands on his hips in commanding
fashion, he read it again to make quite
sure of its contents:
Dear Jack-Can't possibly get back for half an
hour. Be my good angel. there's a good chap.
Madeline and l have had tiff; nothing really
serious. only she Is so impetuous- She promised
to call today and to thrash the whole
thing out over q luncheon Of the daintiest con-
ceiving. and here am simply booked for an hour
or more with my only moneyed relation. My
dear old Jack, you see my dilemma and your
dutyi Madeline goes to HALF Moon street and
finds not there, that beautiful half hoop, with
the pearls, etc (Which, by the bye. is still un-
paid for). will return into my possession (or the
jcweler's), and Madeline Oh Jack, my dear old
chap, you must explain how unhappy l was hay-
ing to go out. II stayed. could make it up
with Madeline, and should be married, but
should offend my disgustingly rich uncle and lose
my income. On the other hand. l am now in
wife-precious, impetuous Madeline-is in danger
Of being lost forever. So you must pacify her
until I come And ! say, old boy, do just slip in
q few incidental touches rs to my-ahemi-manly
qualities Paint my virtues in all the iridescent
hues of an abnormally healthy Imagination But
ter up for ali you are worth Bring rs to-
gether like the good fairy in the story book. and
i shall ever more pemsin your grateful Kit
p. S-Say I'm q real good chap and all that
sort Of thing.
Here was a strange situation Jack
reviewed 1t critically, marking OF the
main points on his finger ends. Kit. the
best chap in the world. though little
| impetuous, vexes Madeline. also impet-
nous. Madeline consents to a general
amnesty to discuss terms Of peace. Kit
appoints - here Jack consulted his
watch-a quarter to II. Madeline
agrees. Kit Is ambushed by hopeless
ly wealthy uncle. and Madeline Is on
the point of coming to the agreed spot
| to find herself. In plain English, spool
| ed Item: One intermediary-viz and
to wit, Jack Cardrew = who hereby
swears and undertakes to pacify, molli-
fy. soothe, soften and otherwise stroke
down Madeline
After which mental declaration Jack
fell into an armchair and tried to pic
ture Miss Madeline Nelthorpe, laugh
| ing at the odd chance that was to give
him his first Introduction to Kits
| sweetheart.
| She was late. 1t was FIVE minutes to
IL. Jack strobe the room with all the
seriousness of professional expert in
smoothing over the waters of true love.
To complete the picture he thrust his
right hand with an air of careless med
itation into his double breasted jacket
and hooked his fOrcfinger into his
watch pocket. 1t came in contact with
q hard, smooth substance. A brigh;
light illumined Jacks face as he very
| carefully and tenderly withdrew q
dance programme. 1t would inspire
him In Kits cause. He knew what il
was to love. He had a very deep and
sincere attachment for-he looked al
the programme against the eighth
dance-"pink with blue dots" So brief
so unintelligible, yet how sweet morsel
of womanhood was contained in those
magic If slightly unromantic words
that was all he knew of her! HeI
name, her chaperon. alike unknown tc
himI The music of her voice. the de
lightful roguish laugh the deep. un
fathomable blue dots-eyes. l mean
fingered In his memory like some pleas
ant dream.
Yes, he could plead to Miss Nelthorpt
on Kits behalf with lovers enthusi
asm. He could speak from experience
for Cupid had taken him by the hand
and shown him a wonderful new
world, realm hitherto undreamed of
| a beautiful pink paradise with-well
blue dots.
Twelve o'clock. She was late.
| Just then the door opened, and Mis-!
Nelthorpe was announced.
Jack came forward to meet her. theI
stopped dead. Could it bef Kits sweet
heart this?
Mr. Cardrew," exclaimed the be
witching visitor In a tone of genuine
amazement, what a surpriseT'
"Pink with blue dots" cried Jack
, with look of chagrin.
Then you haven't forgotten meT
Forgotten you? No; wish l had.
mean l wish-oh, to think what l hav,
promisedp' And he let slip the littl
suede fingers OF his lost angel and met
aphorically turned his back on para
disc.
1.-The eighth dance" said Miss Mel
thorpe. with sigh and half laugh
. "The seventh heaven" groaned JACK
Miss Nelthorpe. let me tell you every
thing" continued the unhappy Cal
Z drew. taking a low seat by the girl
9 side and assuming a martyr at tn
:. stake expression. when l saw yo
o melt into a crowd lowering and press
3 ing about the refreshment buffet q
4 the dance the other night. felt almos
!, inclined to run after you and beg yo
e not to leave me. The thought that W
might never meet again chilled an
sickened me. For the truth Is | wa
hopelessly. desperately. madly. blindl
and all the rest of it, in love with you.
"Mr. Cardrew," calculated she. risln
with a pretty glow in her cheeks.
"Sit down." said Jack quietly an
with a matter of fact air. "For thre
whole days | have felt the ebb an
i flow of a strong tide of passion.
y have suffered apprehension lest
n should never see you. lest you shoul
10 forget me, lest my violent attachmeI
l. should work itself out like a cold
le the head"
q Miss Nelthorpe looked perplexed.
3 IAN hour ago." said Jack, rising a
ruptly. land I would have given O