Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-09-07

a half hour But first 1 want you to
promise to forget that came perilous-
ly near being sentimental and old fash
Toned, forget that seemed bit sad.
Why, I'm quite happy, on the contra
ry! I'm going to marry Mr.. Stanley
Hughes. My wedding III be smart af.
fair; my gown'll be a veritable dream,
and my husband III be one of the most
desirable gentlemen of the season.
Humph! Why shouldn't be happy?"
Don't go just yeti" pleaded Mrs.
Ormsby, not needing the badinage, but
looking straight into the girls eyes.
"Chester's train is due now, and he'll
be here any moment. I want you to
meet him.
friend, an impulse took possession of
Clare. She deliberately seated herself
again.
Catherine" she said whimsically,
my moods changed. I'll stay, and I'll
give you little Of my confidence, If
you care. l did love some one once,
but-he's married now. 1t was some
thing like this: Imagine girl who
knew scarcely anything of the world
Of men or Of the things men do to be
engaged toto a man whose name
spelled Paradise to her with capital
P. Imagine a friend of that man and
of the girl passing q lot of his time
with them both. Indeed, he CHANGED to
be such a stanch friend to the girl that
hn rof, 10 10
man not worthy Of her, though the man
had been his bosom pal''- If that cat
bird would only stop singing! 1t made
her want to cry.
"Well," continued Glare, "he proved
certain things to the girl, and she wrote
to the man she loved better than life
and told him that really she did not
care for him at all-that it had all been
a mistake. 1t saved her pride, but it
froze her heart, Catherine"
Poor, dear Clare" answered Mrs.
Ormsby, touching the lace on the girls
tllmy sleeve in gentle, sympathetic
fashion. "And the man-what did he
say to the note?"
'Never answered It," contemptuous-
ly. I'm fact, the girl never heard from
him till she got his wedding cards.
You see-why, don't, Catherine-not for
me-" as Mrs. Ormsby brushed tear
from her eye. WAS 1 talking like
tragedy queen?"
The maid came down the garden
it. Mrs. Ormsby glanced at the paste
board
Mrs. Brownsley, our neghbor across
the road How inconsiderate of her!"
she exclaimed. "Wait for me here, will
you, Clare? l must see her just for
moment or two"
From around the veranda, down the
path that led by the tulip and jonquil
beds, came the sound of mans ap-
preaching footsteps.
BEG pardon" he said, politely re-
treating as he became aware of the
unfamiliar figure, but as the girl turned
her face upon him.
'Clare-you. How did you come
here?"
For second Glare gagged him ST.
lently. Then, although the sound of his
old, dear voice came near undoing her.
she answered coldly enough:
Not so strange as you'd think! Cath
crime and went to school together.
I'm visiting the Hayes, your neighbors
down the road, 50 l made u point of
coming to see her before left That's
all, except that l once knew you
also, and sudden fancy came to me
to stay and see you too
ITO see If the wound you gave my
heart had healed?" broke In the man
bitterly. Cali these years I've suffered
AS only a man can suffer who scorns
explanations to those whom he feels
should be above suspicion l swore not
to ask what you meant by that let
| ter
Tom Bronner can tell YOU" threw in
the girl icily. "For myself, l do not
care to discuss the matter"
"Bronner!' The man drew ND his
hand before his eye, palm outward, as
one who has Unexpectedly been shot
When he dropped 1t he spoke un-