Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-04-06
THE TWO MISSES BONNEY
BY Florence kesIerton.

Gertrude Bonney was pretty, and, as
is the case with other pretty girls, she
kept herself and everyone else always
aware of tho fact. Not that she was
overbearing and proud. but in a hun
dred little ways she would remind one
that Gertrude Bonney had lovely gray
eyes, a straight nose, and dimp!ed
chin.
When Jack Willet first saw her at a
ball he thought he had seen the pref
tiest woman in the world, and after
AN introduction had been managed, he
proceeded to fall straight way i'm love
with the pretty damsel. After meeting
her at Il number of social gatherings,
Mr.. Willet called one afternoon.
Miss Bonney was at home" the
maid told him. and he was shown into
a long, sunny reception room.
A tall young woman i'm a plain gray
gown stood holding his card in her
hand.
Il called to see Miss Bonney." am
swered he, and the smile passed from
her face. You probably wish to see
my sister. Miss Gertrude? will send
her to you And she left the room.
Is it possible" though the young
man, that such pretty girl as Miss
Gertrude could have such a plain sis
ter?" And yet her voice was delicious.
All good afternoon. Miss l3onney" as
Gertrude Bonney tripped into the room,
all smiles and blue muslin.
Mr.. Willet called many times at the
palatial residence of his divinity, but
he never again saw the elder Miss Bon
ncy. by this time he was in the deep
waters of love. and as yet he had not
contrived to whisper his devotion into
the shell like ears of Miss Gertrude,
for, With all her innocent chances and
confiding ways the little beauty's head
was set square upon her white shout
ders. and she always avoided conf
Nential tete-a-tete. Thus the swift
months slipped by. and the Bonneys
prepared to move to their country resi-
dence. When this news reached Jack
he determined to speak with Gertrude
of his love for her.
He nervously moved about the dainty
room awaiting her coming, and when
he heard the swish of skirts outside
the door he hurried forward to greet
Miss Rose Bonney.
She handed him letterit ran:
My Dear Mr.. Wilet: You are such
Il good friend of mine that | tell you
the good news first. Tomorrow will
witness the public announcement of my
engagement, to Mr. Horace Richards
to whom nave been engaged for the
past six months. Won't you congra tu-
late me? Trusting you will excuse me
for not appearing this afternoon, yours
sincerely, GERTRUDE BONNEY"
With Il groan the young man dropped
his hand upon his arm, while dry sobs
shook his frame.
MIR. Willet." The words We're hard
ly more than a breath, yet they caused
the young man to raise his head and
look at the speaker.
And he had once called her plain
II,
her eyes bright with sympathy The
touch of her slender hand upon his
arm sent a thrill of comfort to his
soul.
You must try to bear it. Mr. Wilet.
] know what Gertrude has written
Don't be too hard on her. She is SO
pretty She has been spoiled"
Forgive me-" cried Jack contritely
When one sees you one wonders how
she could be so false And he left
the room.
A snonth later. business taking Mr..
Willie. to to one of the most squalid
quarters of the city, he met Miss Rose
Bonney coming out of house. basket
on her arm.
Haven't you been away, Miss Bon
ney?" he inquired.
"Oh, no." replied the girl brightly
Il could not leave my poor. They need
me even more in the summer And l
do not accomplish half what wish to-
1t is very hard for one working alone"
1t seemed but natural after that that
he should meet the elder Miss Bonney
on many of her errands of mercy, and
much help he was to her. too.
Then one day when he met her with
a face expressing happiness and news.
Miss Bonney," he said. as soon as
politeness permitted, II have unex-
pcctedly come into huge fortune
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