The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-17
A cOoUETTE

most bewitching.
One evening while visiting her I was
seized with a violent headache. I told
her was subject 70 such attacks. and
the pretty creature. putting on grave
face. gave me Il lecture ON the subject
OF health. winding up with:
The best thing you can do is 10 get n
wife to take care OF you and keep you
from study. advise you 20 10 il II you
can get any body to have YOU"
Indeed" | said. rather piqucd
there are only too many. | refrain
from selection for fear OF breaking
other hearts. How fond all the ladies
are OF me. 70 he sure" I added con
ceitedly. though l can't see that am
particularly fascinating"
Neither can l." added Susy. with an
air Of Perfect simplicity.
Cant your said |. Il hoped--hop
cd oh. that drcadfully attractive
face Of hers, That is. Miss Susy. /
thought perhaps oh. my head. my
headr And I buried my face In the
cushion.
Does it ache So very hadly?' she
asked tcnderly. and she put her cool
little hand in among my curls. l felt
the thrill her fingers gave me through
my whole system.
soon after this IL became necessary
for me 20 leave the city on business
An oder OF partnership i'm the office
Of lawyer friend OF mine made me
decide TO extend my trip and see how
the "iand lay"
One thing was ccrtair-I could not
leave home Tor months. perhaps years.
without some answer from Susv.
Dressed I'm my most faultlcsS costume
III was the only Suit possessed and
fun OF hope. | went 10 Miss Susy's
house. She WAS in thc parior at the pi.
ano alone. She nodded gayly as came
in. but continued her song. II was.
I've Something Sweet To- Tell You"
At the words. Il love you. | adore
you sweeping back the curiS from her
forehead with laughing defiance. she
warblcd, But I'm talking in my sleep
Then" | cried. won love me when
you sleep. May think 500
"Oh. yes. 10 you choose. for dreams go
by cCniraricS. you know"
| sat down beside her We chatted
away for time. At last began:
Miss Susy. came up this evening TO
tell Won that I -
How she was listening, \ bright
thought struck me. I would tell her Of
my journey. aud in the emotion she
WINS certain 10 bctray II would be easy
70 declare my love.
Miss Susy.~ said. Il am going 70
New York tomorrow"
Going away?"
yes. Tor some months
Dear me. how distressing, Just stop
At Gauchc's as you 20 home and order
me some extra pocket handkerchicfs
Tor this melancholy occasion. will
youf"
You DO not seem to require them" /
said. rather piqucd. Il shall stay some
months
Well write to my ma. won't yous
And II you get married or die or any
thing let us know"
Il have an offer 20 Toe 4 partner in n
law office" I said. determined TO try
her. and II accept it. rs have some
thoughts Of doing. shall never re-
turn
Her face did not change Her old
saucy look was there rs spoke. but I
noticed that one little hand closed con
vulsively over her watch chain and
that the other fell upon the KEYS. max
Ing for the first time a discord.
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."
~"
Yes. 1t might change all my plans
If my absence would grieve you"
Change all your plansF"
YES. l hoped-thought"-
Oh. that earnest. grave face! MY
checks burned. my hands and feet
seemed 70 swell. and felt cold chlls
all over me. | could not 90 on. broke
down for the third time.
There was an awkward silence ]
glanced at SCsy. Her eyes were rest
ing on my hand. which lay on the arm
Of the sofa. The contrast between the
black hOrsehair and the flesh seemed
TO strike her.
What pretty little hand"' she said.
A brilliant idea passed through my
brain.
You may have it IL you WILL" said.
Offering it,
She took 1t between her own and.
toying with the fingers. said:
MAY ~
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 if ever eyes
tried to talk mine did then. Her color
rose, the white lids fell over the glo.
rious eyes. and the tiny hand struggled
to free itself. Was | fool enough to re.
lease it?
What said | know not. but | dare
say my betrothed can tell you. Five
minutes later my arms encircled n blue
silk dress. the brown hair fell upon my
breast, and my lips were In contact
with another pair
Character.