The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-03-27

have a respectable-looking husband
with a suspicion of brains. Then, too.
while she is about it, why can't q girl
happen to fall in love with a man who
has money? | regard it as my duty to
do this, and-by the way-you ought to
follow my example,"
He changed his seat to one beside heI
on the sofa, and spoke in a hurt, re-
proachful tone:
"Robertine, thesewords are unworthy
of you. I can't understand why you
should joke, either. We've have been
good friends-n then he broke of, as
If he had lost all ~self-control, all power
of speech.
She was moved, and remained silent
until the sound of her mother in the
other room seemed to give her tongue
new impetus.
"Ah, Richard, art is long and life
is leeting!' We have no time to be great
OF to foster grand thoughts. Why, wen
you and I might be. silly enough to fall
in love with each other, but it wouldn't
do, would it? o no, it would be ridicu-
lous,madl The very last thing on
"The very last thing on earth, nhe re-
peated, quietly. They were notlooking
az eacn otheT now, yet they were both
"The very lastI' she said, recovering
herself after a moment; then abruptly:
Richard, / want to tell you some
little things-confidential, YOU know.
strictly confidential"
Yes" he said, vacantly.
Richard, this is midsummer: but I
suppose you know people wear hannels
In Wlnter-tlme-ladies do.n
Her seeming irrelevancy might other
times have startled him; now he only
sighed inguiringly.
Wei, last winter-you remember
how cold it was-how many lannels do
yOu suppose mother and [ had apiecep,,
Three, perhaps, /" he yentured, weari-
No: indeed; we had three between
us. lhls kept us washing one twice a
week, which was tiresome, beside wear
ing out the garments. Fancy having
it off at bedtime to wash it that it NAV
dry by morning. Isn't the thought
abominable?"
The long, quivering breath that he
drew smote her painfully, as she felt
that, through her, his heart must ache
a long time, perhaps forever.
she could not look at him. he rose
without speaking. Perhaps he could
not trust his voice.
NV SOluB, blckI buC per-
Il don't know he faltered. II must
60 and finish some work. II hope
you Will not3do anything hastily. Rob
ertlne, Observation-Disclosures lam your
frlend-always." Then he went out
and away.
tered.
Gone At last?" she asked, glancing
through the window at the tall form
crossing D street with slow, dispirited
gait. IF he doesn't look commonin
Robertine had gone to the piano.
SMother,o she said impatiently. 'If
Maj. Drummond proposes again you'd
better marry him. He's uncommon
enough TO suit you-especially his tenn
She could have sobbed aloud, she SO
hated herself. She fancied Richard
ascending to his poor room across the
gray, cheerless, pathetic room
and sitting down uncontrolled among
his manuscripts. She could see his pale
face, his sad, brown eyes. She hated
herself, and her mother, and Wilfred
Wales, and all the cruel, bitter world
She tried a strain of Mendelssohn's
music to soothe and strengthen her, and
her mother spoke, as if reminded:
'sThe piano rent is due tomorrow,
Robertine. Don't let me forget;they are
very exacting."
Robertine changed to fierce opera
melodies, and Immediately Mr.. Wilfred
Wales arrived. Mrs. Ferris had made
II was thinking of YOU" said Rob-
ertine sweetly, and speaking the truth.
OF mep Is that so? Then I'm glad"
He pressed her hand with all a lovers
fOndness.
Nor was he really so objectionable-a
well-built man with a prepossessing
countenance and a frank, easy speech.
He never romanced, nor paused for
exactness, nor unfolded quaint dis
coveries, nor INDUCED in ben tropato
poesy, as poor Dick Ethel was wont.
made her laugh; still there were times
when she could as well have yawned.
Poor Dick Ethel might have talked all
and never wearied her,
Take the rocking-chair, "she begged,
land / will sit right here on the sofa.
We can both see the street and feel the
breeze"
Thanks said Mr.. Wales, twinkling
his great third-finger diamond by care
less motions of the hand.
"Isay, what do you think2 I am go
ing to change hotels"
Indeed? Why thought you liked
your place so much?"
Il did, until this morning. Never
was more surprised in my life. What
do you suppose | found in my coffee?"
"a fly" the young lady suggested.
Not exactly"
"Then a roach?"
ooh, no; dear me, not so bad. But it
was a shred of something resembling
'Ot" said Robertine in a relieved
tone. "a piece of the dish-cloth. And
you will change because of that?"
7 have serious thoughts. And now,
Robertine-"
She turned to the window and gazed
intently.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
"That literary friend Of yours coming
out across? Clever fellow. isn't he?
Wish I could write. But, do youknow,
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