Smyrna times., 1903-07-22

than fOolishly adOring. He had not
been gone two days before she had an
swered her own question with a decid-
ed NO" and, further, had made up
her mind that when he came again
she would not fiOut his lovemaking, no
matter how earnest it might be. She
could not of course admit even to her
image in the mirror how impossible
she found 1t to get him out of mind,
nor how long and dull the short winter
days were now that he no longer
claimed much more than half of them.
Somehow she had a fancy that he
would surely come back for Christmas.
Her father, she knew, had pressed him,
and she herself had smiled invitation,
though she had said nothing outright.
But it took her all aback to have Peggy
Glenn run in and say: "Only think. Ber-
rv! All of us wasted our sweetness on
ali engaged man! Frank Ensley is a
wretch Of the first water! Brother Jack
has letter from him saying, L expect
to be married early in the new year, so
will gladly let Ashcroft delights beguile
my impatience for the happy day.
Now, what do you think of that?"
'Oh, that it is-characteristic," Ber-
nice said, the least possible break in
her voice. Peggy stared hard. Jack
must be right after ALL" she said 81
was dead sure Ensley was courting you
hard, but that brother of mine said all
along you were only chums."
Jack is a good fellow and discrimi-
nating," Bernice said, smiling, although
she saw things through a mist and felt
her pulses beat all over. Somehow she
held herself steady until Peggy went
off to spread the news. How she fought
through the next hour only the soul of
infinite compassion will ever know
Tie news came in mid-December.
Ensley was to follow it. The day be-
fore Christmas Bernice had herself well
in hand. She loved him, faced the
knowledge of 1t as became a thorough
bred and was resolved to break her
heart, If it needs must break, with
laughing lips. She would wish him
joy, clear eyed clear voiced. She would
even affect to have disc2rned his estate
of bondage and claim to -bave saved
him from farce comedy pGrfidy. Not
withstanding, twilight of the winter
sOlstice found her very low and miser-
able. The day had been lowering and
sOdden, full of gusty rains and shrek
ing elfn blasts. BY way of Offsetting
the gloom Squire Elton had heaped
logs on the big andirons and lighted all
the candles in the big silver scOnces
while it was still but murk outside.
Then he had hustled off to see afte-
some of his poor neighbOrs. Bernice
was alone except for the servants,
who had been there ever since she was
born. She sat, wan and dropping, star
ing into the heart of the fire as Ensley
came nOiselessly through the door.
Il will not offer a penny for your
thoughts. l know exactly what they
are" he said, stepping to her side, but
not Offering his hand. You are con
ming the pretty speech you mean tC
make me. That is wrong. You should
not felicitate me until you hear whom
am going to marry"
rs there more against her than hav
ing accepted you?" Bernice asked, with
a flash of her old spirit. He stopped
and half lifted her to her feet before
answering. "She is that impossible
she, the sum of all perfections in a wo
man."
Indeed! How did you prevail? Was
it the attraction of opposites?" Bernict
asked, trying to speak saucily, though
her heart beat like triphammer "And
further, what's her name, and where's
her homer
Her home is here" Ensley said
drawing her close to his breast. Gas
for her name, wis the very sweetest il
the world, but believe she likes best
to be called the tgeauty of Ashcroft"