The Western news., 1903-08-05
| HIS POST.NUPTIAL
GALL - - -

ME ELL" she said, gayly, as she
w stretched one hand toward
him, while in the other she still held
his card, what genuine surprise! l
thought you were honeymooning in
the hills. Congratulations! But why
haven't you brought your bride? And
why didn't you send me cards? But
you always were a careless boy!"
He held her hand minute, search
ing her face for some sign of chagrin.
But mocking smile was all that
greeted him.
"There weren't any cards." he said,
somewhat hurriedly; 81 was in town,
and l supposed you'd see me now that
1t is all over with. Besides you know
1T happened with out"
"Cards?"
"'Preparation. The fact is, I hadn't
intended-hadn't-b it's all over
now! How are you? You look just
the same, Betty"
''Why it's only year since-but sit
down! Won't you have some tea? Do!
But how nice of you to call! And only
y v
go away, as the papers said?"
'No; we took train for town, in
tending to go to the Berkshires next
day But she-that is, Mrs. Brown,
YOU know-had never been to the Wal
dorf, and she found it so absorbing
that / haven't been able to tear her
away"
"Just fancy! You take two Jumps,
don't you? 1t seems so odd! You see,
I've never met anybody that knew her.
She's lived off there in the country,
hasn't she? Is she pretty?"
"She's a dear little girl, Beauty
Betty, mean. Ha, ha! wasn't quite
sure you'd see me at first. But it was
little bit dull this morning, and
said to myself: I'll chance it! Betty
was always good sort, and now that
everything is ended-why-' Thanks"
'Is she pretty?"
"She's blonde, you know. Yes,
never liked blondes, but she is quite
fair. Not dark at all-not bit like
you!"
"No-blondes usually aren't dark,
are they? What did you say her name
WASP"
Harriet"
"Oh, dear me! But Of course, you
have some pet name? You were al
ways very clever at improvising."
mo, just call her Harrie-she pre-
fers it. And shs-she calls me
Charles"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! Oh, Club! Not
really?"
"Yes-she's dignified sort of girl
dear girl! We'd known each other
since we were kids. Why, knew her,
Beauty, before met you!"
eyes? You never told me"
"Well, you see I never thought of
her except as the little girl next door.
And then--well, you know, Betty,
never thought of anyone but you
then"
She fingered his card pervously,
thinking tapping the bit of past eboard
against her rings. Her tea was untast-
ed. He drank his feverishly.
ST suppose" she said, 81 hope those
letters of mine-they-they-they
are"
ST burned them-the night before
before it happened"
.Oh!"
ut was queer. I knew I was going
to be married next day, but l read
some Of them over, and over and over
again! 1t was like opening grave It
began to hurt. had to stop and dump
them all in the fire."
81 :
all dream"
"Ah-h-h!"
1--WE should have been drsadfully un.
happy!"
"Unhappy?"
"Yss-you were jsalous-and Aarsd
up"
"And you flirted-"
''Ha, ha! You fancied So"
"Ah-don't talk like that now, Betty
It's not necessary. You cared nc
more for me than"
"I cared for no one else in the
world. That's all! But what's the use
of all this Club? haven't seen you
tor more than year-then I read Of
your marriage. then-your card comes
up-three days after. And instead Of
telling me of the perfections of your
bride, you begin to quarrel with me
tust like old times. Now tell me al
about it.! Is she nice? But. of course
she II. You were always so particular
No other sort of girl would attract
you"
"You don't Observation-Disclosures
ef-I mean Betty. Harriet didn't at
tract me in that way. You sse. wheZ