Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-10-27
cept me when she might have had any

cept me when she might have had any
man-why, she might have married
you, old chap, couldn't she?"
Did she tell you so?"
Nope" said Jimmie cheerfully, "but
can't see how it is that you haven't
fallen in love with her."
Maybe l was in love with another
woman said Walcot slowly.
There was something in his tone
that made Jimmie look up quickly.
Walcot was gazing into the cheerful
fire, and there was such smile upon
bis face as Jimmie had never seen.
That mercurial youngster was on his
feet In an instant and rushed over to
Walcot.
by Jove, old chap, so you have
been INDUCING in a love affair and
didn't even take me, your best friend,
into your confidenceI 1 call that
shameful of you, but am deuced glad
to know that you are in love, after
all. Take my word for it. old chap,
there's nothing like it in all the world"
Easy, boy, easy" said Walcot, with
quiet smile that may have conceal
ed some embarrassment. 81 haven't
confessed to any love affair yet. And
as for condolences, remember that you
told me nothing of yours until you
were actually engaged. Even good
friends like you and me don't talk
over such affairs. However, I may
have-I hope to have-some good news
to tell you soon."
GLOW soon?"
"Who can say?"
'Have you proposed to her?'
''No, but intend to do So"
Good boy! Go In and win. II you
want a certificate Of good character
call on me. am always ready to tell
lie in the sacred cause of friendship -
And Jimmie's infectious laugh took all
sting away from the remark.
Once more fell period Of silence
and Jimmie broke it with:
Ibid you ever notice the color of
her eyes. Henry?"
YES" answered Henry, with an air
of amusement. ''They are blue, aren't
they?"
mo, indeed" said Jimmie somewhat
Indignantly. "They are a wonderful
deep gray, almost black"
us that so?" was the somewhat In
different reply. "Then she has the
same color of eyes as her cousin. l
know that she has wonderful, deep
gray eyes-wonderful eyes," This last
was very soft.
"Not at all, stupidv said Jimmie,
vexed at so much stupidity. "Her
cousins eyes are blue. I'll be blessed
if you ever observe anythingv'
Jimmie himself was not observing
anything, but was sitting with his gaze
fixed ON the heart of the flames and
his mind lost in happy reverie. He
did not see his companion look up with
quick terror in his eyes and a face
drawn with emotion, nor did he hear
a question addressed to him. Indeed
Walcot's voice was very thick, and he
hardly knew himself whether he had
spoken the question aloud or merely In
his anguish voiced it to himself.
Then you are engaged to Kate Pres
ton?" he finally managed to say, lou6
enough to make his companion hear.
Certainly" said Jimmie In astonish
ment. "Who did you think I was en-
gagged to-certainly not to Annie Pres
ton?"
81 didn't know" said Walcot weakly
$50 your mind reading wasn't 81
good after all" exclaimed Jimmie II
triumph. "Well. must be going. 81
longv'
And he was gone.
For long time Walcot sat before
the fire. though his cigar went out un
noticed and was not relit.
Then he slowly walked to his desl
and took out letter addressed in his
own firm handwriting. Opening it, hs
stood in front of the fire and read i
through twice. 1t was a proposal OF
marriage, simple, straightforward ant
winning In its declaration Of grea
love.
The letter f1uttered first to the fire
and the envelope followed it, Walco
standing quietly to watch them burn
One might have read the address OF
the envelope even after it was caugh
by the flames, and that address was:
miss Kate Preston"
Poor Students AT Dublin