Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-08-20
Breaking It Gently

/ (ASO H II ueebeuScT wy Nu'teu """S
Jack Powers wrote his answer
to Her note. She might have
telephoned, but 1t was Her way to
send messengers with her missives.
every well, Kathleen" wrote Jack.
"Ill be there. You say for the last
time. I wonder whyT'
He sent a boy with this note and
an order on a florist for box Of viO-
let's, as the messages accompaniment.
and then he turned to his work again.
But his eyes failed to do more than
stare at the figures before him. His
brain could not grasp their meaning.
Kathleen's face persisted in dancing
about the inkwell. in a twO.step that
played havoc with Business.
I'm beastly cad" cogitated Jack.
"and that's what. But 1t must be
done. For the last time, she said.
Perhaps she's heard. 1t would help
things a lot IL she had"
He looked meditatively Mt photo.
graph which he fished from q dark
pigeonhole In his desk.
"Shes a mighty nice little thing"
he said to himself, but"
And then he took another photo
graph from an inner pocket Of his coat
and kissed 1t tenderly.
"violets" Kathleen buried her nez
retrousse in the purple fragrance and
shifted with satisfaction.
as,I tall e. al, n
said, to no one In particular, though
her maid sat near by sewing some
lace on the dinner frock her mistress
had babe her lay out for her to wear.
Kathleen looked gloomily upon tall
vase Of long-stemmed American Beau
ties that stood OH the table.
"That's the difference In men. Law.
renee sends big Beauties. because they
cost money, and Jack sends vlolets be-
cause they're my favorite flower. Poor
Jack! How can I break his heart
for I suppose 1t will. You say for the
last time. wonder why? Heigho!
We must take our medicine. Marie.
Because I prefer millions to love In a
cottage-that's why. Hurry with the
waist. Marie; I must not be late ut my
last dinner with Jack"
mo, I didn't think we needed q
chaperon tonight. Jack"
why not to.night!"
because. we'll"
"'Life Ii too short to quarrel,
Life 10 too short to sigh
"I'li tell you by and by. Jack-afteI
the ash, perhaps"
II. too. have something to tell you
Kathleen"
For the space Of ten minutes. while
the garcOn placed the soup. before
them, Jack felt uncomfortable. Every
body hates to attack q disagreeablt
duty. When the duty involves pretty
woman. It 10 doubly distasteful. How
ever, he took q surreptitious peep Al
the photograph In his breast pocket
and 1t nerved him to his task. Never
theless. there was no hurry about 1t.
"Isn't It absurd, Jack. to say tha
love makes the world 70 r0undY' asked
Kathleen.
In her diplomatic. feminine way sh,
had wished to lead up to the subjec
she had come to discuss.
"Of course 1t is." he answered
"when champagne-if one has enough
Of twill do the same thing"
"Salmon-Oh, Jack. do you remem
Der how we trOlled for salmon at De
Monte last summers"
Did he remember? He had to pa
the photograph In his pocket to for
get.
II read the other day." Kathleen wa
saying, "that girl who couldn't maxi
up her mind between two lovers hasn'
q mind worth making up"
She looked ut him from the corner
of her eyes.
Jacks face lighted up. She knew
then, and that was the meaning of he
desire for a farewell dinner. How
easy It would be now to explain.
But Kathleen was not waiting 70
an answer.
"They say there's no skill In winnin
Q game where one holds all the trumpi
But In the game of hearts. Jack. sur
pose one held just two. Don't 20
think It would be hard to know whic
to discardT"
Bravo! thought Jack. What cleve
little diplomat Kathleen Is!
But she veered to the other side.
"Isn't 1t nice. Jack, Just We two si
ting here like this2" oh, 50 tenderl,
isn't 1t like old times?"
He really couldn't help it-one uttl
kiss was nothing.
There was a pause of some minutes
and then Kathleen sprang to her fee
"D0n't, Jack. or l won't be able
brace myself to The ordeal. Don't loo
like that"
He put his hand in his coat poke
Yes. the photograph was there. Ha
The been untrue to Her?
I'm gaged-engaged, Jack" sal
Kathleen, excitedly. I'm going
marry Lawrence Smith. the milliol
aire. Oh, Jack, I never really thOugl
you cared--why didn't you ask n
years ago-when was bud. It's t.
late n0w-too late. It's going to be
grand church wedding. He wanted
Ito - . 01ise affair. but -