Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-03-06

- Then the dance, and sc
fearfulIy out Of tune for dancing.
If she had only written; but then il
would have been 50 utterly unlike
Dora to have written, she generally
contented herself with sending wires
and post cards.
MY handwriting is atrOcious anC
l spell abominably," she used to say
go it would be simply absurd Of me
TO cultivate the art Of letter-writing.
The news was broken to me so sud
denly
Heard of Dora's engagement,
suppose?" asked old Colonel Foster
briskly. Capital fellow, George
Standish, a little old for the girl
perhaps. but she seems to like him
and, Of course. my wife is pleased, for
with your two cousins coming out
next summer, it's a great thing to get
the eldest girl well married you
know
/ nodded and murmured something
conventional. How could | tell
Colonel Foster that for the last two
years | had regarded him as my pros
pective father-in-law. and that | had
even been fool enough to come down
10 the Grange with an engagement
ring for Dora in my pocket,
Well. well; | had been u fool, it
seemed. an utter fool; and the sooner
I got back to London the better; if
they had not been having that con
founded dance. the annual New Years
eve affair, | believe | should have
made some wild excuse and got away:
but to desert within a few hours Of
the dance was a crime that dared not
contemplate; also J did not see my
way to getting the dogcart.
Dora danced into the study; she
looked wonderfully bright and pretty
20. here you are Jack. When did
YOU arrive? Fancy sitting here and
drinking horrid whisky and water with
father. when you might have been
having nice tea with mother and me
in the drawing-room. and mullins,
Jack. 0. such heavenly mullins"
4 must congratulate YOU. Dora"
spoke in my best manner, stitily.
and hope. sternly, putting as much
reproach in my glance as l could.
Thank you so much. the house isl
upside down with excitement and the
girls. as you will find can talk of
nothing but bridesmaids dresses AsI
10 mother. she is radiant with pride
for l shall be a quite great lady.
shall l not. Daddy dear? The Stan
dish diamonds are perfectly lovely |
Jack, Q. here's the ring
She held mp a slender finger for my
inspection. circled by a cleaning hoOpI
Of large and scintinating briIliants |
Inyoluntarily | contrasted the costly |
sage with the simple ring repOsing in !
my waistcoat pocket. 0, yes, Dora |
had been wise in her generation.
l had privately determined not to |
ask Dora to dance, but. all the same. |
yalse No. s found US sitting out to-
gethcr in the darkest and most be-
screened of retreats. Dora had led |
me there, I may as we'll say.
Is it not nice. and dark. and cozy?" |
she laughed eleefully. I rugged it up |
myself this morning: mother has the !
most garish and primitive ideas of a !
sitting out room" then. with a sudden !
strain Of voice and manner. .Whyl
are Eon 50 gloomy and silent. Jack?
Are you cross with me-"
The truth is I answered. Il don't !
feel happy over this engagement of
yours: Standish Is so much older
than you are" -
Well, know that" She tapped herI
pretty foot impatiently. Have you |
nothing else to sayo''
Only this. I cannot believe you are
in love With HIM"
Il never said was; listen. Jack. tot
the true position of affairs I was
rather fond of somebody-years age. /
and though he evidently did not care
about me in that way. still I never |
could fancy myself liking any one
else; any young man. l mean. Well.