Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-08-06


than foolishly adoring. He had not
been gone two days before she had an
Swered her own question with decid-
ed NO" and. further, had made up
her mind that when he came again
she would not fout 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 it 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 1t took her all abacl to have Peggy
Glenn run In and say: only think, Ber-
ry All OF us wasted our sweetness on
an engaged man. Frank Ensley Is
| wretch of the first water! Brother Jack
has letter from him saying, 4 expect
| to be married early in the new year. SO
will gladly let Ashcroft delights beguile
my impaticnce for the happy day.
Now, what do you think of thatT
ooh. that it is--characteristic," Ber-
nice said, the least possible break in
her voice. Peggy stared hard. Jack
must be right after ALL" she sand. Il
was dead sure Ensley was counting you
hard. but that brother of mine said all
along you were only chums.'
"Jack is a good fellow and discrimi-
mating" Bernice said, smiling, although
she saw things through Il 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 viii ever know.
The news came in mid-December
EnsIey was to follow it, The day be-
fore Christmas Bernice had herself well
in hand. She loved him, faced the
knowledge of it as became q 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 discerned his estate
of bondage and claim 10 have saved
him from farce comedy periidy. Not
outstanding. 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 clfn blasts. BY way OF offsetting
Az OIL hon
logs on the big andirons and lighted all
the candles in the big silver sconces
while it was still bat murk outside.
Then he had hustled off to see after
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 noisclessly through the door
81 will not offer penny for your
thoughts | 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 to
make me. That is wrong. You should
not felicitato me until YOU hear whom |
am going TO marry
as there more against her than hav
ing accepted you?" Bernice asked, with
a dash Of her old spirit. lie stopped
and half lifted her TO her feet before
answering. "She is that impossible
| she, the sum of all projections in wo-
man
JUDGED, How did you prevail? Was
| it the attraction of OppositesT Bernice
asked trying to speak saucly, though
her heart beat like n triphammer. And,
| further, what's her name, and where's
her hOmeF'
Her home is 49, here" Ensley said,
drawing her close to his breast "As
| for her name, it is the very sweetest in
| the world, but | believe she likes best
| to be called the beauty of Ashcroft"