The Caldwell tribune., 1905-04-29

lutely shut his mouth and turned again
to his cigar.
"Now, Jimmie" said Walcot, with
dignity, don't be any more Of
chump than USUAL You know yoy are
SO full of the subject that you .pve
just got to talk. So fire away"
And Jimmie did FIRE away presently,
the subject having got the better Of
his resolve.
"But, Henry, all natural prejudice
aside, Just can't believe my good
luck. To think that she should ac-
I-cept me, when she might have had any
man--why. she might have married
you, old chap, couldn't shet"
did she tell you soT
Nope" said Jimmie, cheerfully,
but can't see how 1t Is that you
haven't fallen in love with her."
Maybe 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
his face as Jimmie had never seen.
The mecurial youngster was on his
feet In an instant and rushed over to
Walcot.
by Jove, old chap, so you have been
indulging in a love affair and didn't
even take me, your best friend, into
your confidence! l call that shameful
of you, but l am deuced glad to know
that you are in love, after all. Take
my word for 1t, old chap, there's moth
ing like it in all the world"
Easy, boy, easy" said Waicot, with
, quiet smile that may have concealed
some embarrassment II haven't con-
fessed 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, l may
have-I hope to have-some good news
to tell you soon."
. How soonW
"Who can sayT
"Have you proposed to herr"
"No, but intend to 40 So"
Good boyl Go in and win. If yot
! want a certificate Of good character
: call on me. am always ready to tel
lie in the sacred cause Of friendship
: And Jimmie's infectious laugh took al
the sting away from the remark.
8 Once more fell a period of silence
+ and Jimmie broke it with:
J. did you ever notice the color o
e her eyes, HenryT
with aI
l. of amusement "They are blue, aren'
$ they"
l. mo, indeed" said Jimmie, somewha
J. Indignantly. "They are a wonderful
J. deep gray; almost black"
"Is that so?" was the somewhat in
" different reply. Then she has tn
j. same color of eyes as her cousin.
J. know that she has wonderful dee
h gray eyes-wonderful eyes" This las
l. was very soft.
k Not at ALL stupid" said Jimmie
y vexed at SO much stupidity. He
n cousins eyes are blue. I'll be blesse
IT IL you ever observe anything"
Jimmie himself was not observln
H. anything, but was sitting with his gaz
" fixed on the hearth Of the flames an
| his mind lost in a happy reverie. n
did not see his companion look u
r. with a quick terror in his eyes and
- face drawn with emotion. Nor did h
=" hear a question addressed to him. Il
deed, Walcott's voice was very thic
~ and he hardly knew himself whethC
- he had spoken the question aloud I
70 merely in his anguish voiced 1t to hlr
a self.
" Then you are engaged to Ka
Va Preston" he finally managed to sa
a loud enough to make his companic
~, hear.
~ "Certainly," said Jimmy, in astonis
~ ment. who did you think was e
gagged to-certainly not to Annie Pre-
- ton?"
" AZ didn't know" said walc'
weakly.
iu' 80 your mind reading wasn't
tn good, after allw exclaimed Jimmie,
fe triumph. well, l must be going
long"
0e And he was gone.
For a long time Walcot sat befo
." the Are, though his cigar went out I
an noticed and was not rel1t.
10 Then he slowly walked to his de
gu and took out letter, addressed in
IAN own firm handwriting. Opening it,
lho stood In front Of the fire and read
through twice. 1t was a proposal
ow marriage, simple, straightforward a
In winning in Its declaration Of grt
love.
'ry, The letter fiuttered frst to the 1
in and the envelope followed 1t, Wal
standing quietly to watch them bu
vas One might have read the address
ON the envelope, even after it was caul
'g," by the flames, and that address was
lou Miss Kate Preston"
me The Materials Were Hers.