The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-14

The visitor grew little uneasy.
81 don't understand you," she said
simply.
81 wish you hadn't come in. that's
all" said Jack.
''If / had known began Miss Mel
thorpe. "But / came to see''-
Kit"
'Yes," assented she, surprised at
Jacks bOisterous interruption.
kit, fortunate Kit"
"And he promised to meet
"But you'll forgive him. He left me
here and, after making me promise to
ring from you an assurance of for
giveness, told me to be sure and not
let you go until he came back"
"But l want to tell YOU said Miss
Nelthorpe, with a roguish laugh.
mo, no. 1 won't listen." said Jack
resolutely. you're going to slang Kit.
You're going to blame him. scold him.
Now you must forgive him. He's such
splendid chap, and-and it was who
made him go out"
'I'm glad" said she and laughed.
"Glad? Then you didn't want to
meet him and make it up?"
mo. It's not exactly that"
after all it was only lovers quar-
rel, slight brush, and all about hat,
a paltry toque. You see, Kit has told
me everything. Now you're sorry, real
ly sorry, Kit Is out, aren't your
NO." began she In petulant tone.
"Now," said Jack In CHEEKY tones, 81
see you relenting. The hard little heart
Is melting"
She laughed outright. every well,
then" she admitted. her face wreathed
| In smiles, 81 am sorry"
Capital" said Jack. Hes such an
awfuIly decent chap-Kit. You'll be
so happy, and shall be SO miserablew
Miss Nelthorpe stroked her muff. AS
| she raised her eyes she saw on chair
near by the dance programme.
"Why," she said, that's the pro-
| gramme off,
"Yes," interrupted Jack hastily.
| "Fancy your keeping it"
'aThe pencil, you know" replied he
"such jolly handy thing to have"
"Yes," responded Miss Nelthorpe feel
ingly, especially when it hasn't a
point"
Jack blushed. by Jove." he said in
desperation, what splendid chap Kit
isr'
Eyes; you told me-"
81 suppose you're simply devoted to
him."
"Humph! Yes IL like him.
like himw repeated Jack. my dear
Miss Nelthorpe, you love him; you
know you do"
Likes him." he said to himself. "She
only likes him."
The girl gave the case due considera-
tion. We'll" she said. perhaps you
are right. Mr.. Cardrew. 1 do love
him."
Jacks face fell. "Loves him." he
said to himself. 1--WE overpersuaded
her Pm forcing her into. loveless,
distasteful marriage, and simply wor-
ship her."
when 1 say like him-love him,
explained Miss Nelthorpe, taking
Jacks dismal expression as an index
of his true feelings, ''of course mean
in friendly way, brother3y way"
"Friendlyw said Jack. C'AngelP be
thought) "Brotherly" said Jack.
c'Lovely creaturep he thought)
"Poor old Kitp' he calculated In his
most buoyant tone. C'She doesn't care
snap for him.) She has thrown him
up. She's in love with me, while
have promised
"Poor old Kitw echoed Miss Mel
thorpe. "If only
'If only" repeated Jack, coming
closer and touching her gloved hand.
that"
NO" az
81 mean you oughtn't to-"
NOT
Silence for exactly thirty seconds.
"After ALL" said Jack, with a gallant
attempt at gayety, you can't do bettel
than stick to Kit. Make q better hus
band than I"-
"Why, what do you meanT
Handsome chap, well made. Tn
loose jointed, plain. Kits amiability
itself. I'm never civil before II ant
always grumpy when the sun goe.
In. Kits bright, talkative. witty, com
panionable. I'm silent, unsociable and
dull"
"And your liversT inquired Mis-!
Nelthorpe.
81 don't believe Kit has one. while
IL believe I've got two. Now you se'
what a treasure you've got in Kit
And Jack picked the programme VI
and nursed 1t tenderly.
She watched him closely.
$50 you'll forget his little unreason
ableness. won't you"
"On one condition." she said.
"And thatY'
"That you will put that programme
in the fire."
Jack eyed 1t longingly.
'If marry Kit" said the girl. witt
a little laugh. sit would be as well no
to cherish old memories"
at will be only a memory. Won
| you let me keep it?" he asked plain
: lively.
Better not" she said.
"The remembrance Of the happies
quarter of an hour in all my life
"For Kits sake"
Jack folded the silken cord about
and went over to the fireplace.
"a pencil Is such an awfully hand
thing"
l "For Kits sake"
He raised 1t above the flames.
wait" said the girl. 81 just rt
! member l am always wanting a per
Gil Perhaps it would do If took it.
] Jack handed it to her as If 1t were
coronet of thIstledown. She took