Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-06-05
A CO E T T E

4
most bewitchlng.
One evening while visiting her | was
seized with a violent headache. told
her | was subject to such attacks, and
the pretty creature, putting on grave
face. gave me a lecture on the subject
of health, winding up with:
"The best thing you can do is to get a
wife to take care of you and keep you
from study. advise you to do it IL you
can get anybody to have you"
"Indeed." | said, rather piqued.
"there are only too many. | refrain
from selection for fear of breaking
other hearts. How fond all the ladies
are of me, to be sure" | added con.
ceitedly. though can't see that | am
particularly fascinating"
s.Neither can H. added Susy. with an
air of perfect simplicity.
cant your" said |. Il hoped-hop-
cd oh. that dreadfully attractive
face of hers! "That is, Miss Susy,
thought perhaps-oh, my head, my
headr' And | buried my face in the
cushion.
docs il ache so very badlyg' she
asked tenderly. and she put her cool
| little hand in among my curls. | felt
the thrill her fingers gave me through
my whole system.
Soon after this it became necessary
for me to leave the city on business.
An offer of partnership in the office
of a lawyer friend of mine made me
decide to extend my trip and see how
the "land lay"
One thing was certain-I could not
leave home for months perhaps years
without some answer from Susy
Dressed i'm my most faultless costume
Git was the only suit | possessed) and
full of hope. went TO Miss Susy's
house. She was In the parlor at the pi-
ano alone. She nodded gayly as came
in. but continued her song 1t was
"T've Something Sweet to Tell YOU
At the words: 81 love you, adore
your sweeping back the curls from her
forehead with laughing defiance. she
warbled, But I'm talking in my sleep
"Then." cried, you love me when
you sleep! May think SOP
"Oh. yes. if you choose, for dreams 90
by contraries. you know"
sat down beside her We chatted
away for Il time At last | began:
Miss Susy, came up this evening tt
tell you that II
How she was Iisteningl A bright
thought struck me would tell her OF
my journey. and in the emotion she
was certain to betray it would be easy
to declare my love.
"NIiss Susy." | said. 81 am going tc
New York tomorrow"
Going away
"Yes. for some months"
Dear me. how distressing! Just stop
at Gauche's as you go home and order
me some extra pocket handkerchiefs
for this melancholy occasion. will
your"
''You do not seem TO require them" |
said. rather piqued. 81 shall stay some
months"
"Well. write TO my ma. won't youi
And if you get married or die or any.
thing let us know"
II have an offer to be partner in a
|
her. land if accept it, as have some
thoughts of doing, shall never re-
turn"
Her face did not change. Her old.
saucy look was there as | spoke, but
noticed that one little hand closed con.
vulsively over her watch chain and
that the other fell upon the keys, max
| i,..r Son 10, a
Going away forever" she said, with
a sad tone that made my heart throb.
Miss Susy. hoped you at least
would miss me and sorrow in my alb
sence"
IT
yes 1t might change all my plans
If my absence would grieye you
"Change all your pIansY'
Eyes. | hoped thought
Oh. that earnest grave face! My
cheeks burned. my hands and feet
seemed to swell. and felt cold chills
all over me. could not go on. | broke
down for the third time.
There was an awkward silence.
glanced at Susy. Her eyes were rest
ing ON my hand. which lay OH the arm
of the sofa. The contrast between the
black horsehair and the flesh seemed
to strike her.
"What pretty little handG she said
brilliant idea passed through my
brain.
"You may have it if you will" said
Offering il.
She took it between her own and
toying with the fingers. said:
MAY II
''Yes. if-you will give me this one.
And | raised her beautiful hand to my
lips.
She looked into my face. What she
saw there cannot say, but IL ever eyes
tried TO talk mine did then. Her color
rose. the white lids fell over the CLIO
rious eyes. and the tiny hand struggled
to free itself Was fool enough to re
lease IL?
What | said | know not, but | dare
say my bctrothed can tell you. Fiv,
minutes later my arms encircled blue
silk dress the brown hair fell upon my
breast. and my lips We're in contact