Sistersville daily review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1905-1907, 1905-05-25
BREAKING THE NEWS

| It was a, difficult situation. To be
sure. MarceIla had not actually flirted
with Ackley Henderson. she refused
to include the verb in her well bred vo-
cabulary. but then
Men are so queer, so apt to think that
one means things when really one is
actuated only by ordinary courtesy and
the gayety of the moment and cheer
fulness toward the world in general.
When man calls very regularly, is
that any reason why girl should con-
slider him in love with her? 1t would
be abominable conceit, Marcella as
sured herself Indignantly as she twist
ed up her hair. Why, dozens Of men
had called on her in the last five years,
and only three or four had asked her to
marry them. Each of these men had
seemed surprised when she refused.
Therefore why should she worry for
fear Ackley Henderson would take it
badly and think himself Ill treated
when he learned she was engaged to
an eastern man? The wedding was set
for June, and Marcella felt that she
must break the news. She told herself
that she would do it that very evening
and was surprised to find herself turn
ing to ice at tho-.lought.
She stared at her own face sternly in
the glass. 1t was not that she had
lingering fear lest she cared for Ack-
ley-not bit of it! The man down
east had all her heart. but she did like
Ackley immensely in friendly fash,
ion and dreaded his displeasure. Just
why should she think he cared for her!
She demanded a reply as she fiercely
searched for another shell hairpin. He
had never said anything, but then
words were not always necessary. On
" a week ago, when she had been play
ing at the piano, on turning suddenly
she had caught his gaze fixed on her
with such open tenderness that the
blood had rushed to her face. He had
carried it off we'll by asking in the
next breath some irrelevant question.
but it had started her to thinking.
Really it was too bad of Ackley. He
was such reserved, odd person that
one never could tell what he was going
to do next. E.c never cOnfidcd in his
friends. though apparently he was free
and open.
She searched her memory sharply.
Had she ever given him the slightest
right to fancy she was especially at
tracted by him? OF course she had
been interested in his yachts and his
theories Oh the proper way to drive
horse and his favorite books. but that
was only what ordinary politeneSs call
I ed for. If one did not talk to man
about the things in which he was in
terested, what on earth would become
of conversation?
Marcella jabbed in the last pin and
straigltened her side combs. and just
| then the bell rang. leaving long
| sigh. she went down to greet Ackley'
| Henderson. He was so particularly
happy and cheerful tonight that it made
her task doubly hard. How should she
begin: She could not plunge into the
subject abruptly-She wanted to glide
into it gracefully and by degrees-hut
somehow she could not manage the CON
versation. And all the while Ackley
sat beaming joyously at her.
Marcella shivered. She wished she
! could remember few times when she
had been rude to him-the memory
would brace her up-but there was
nothing but unremitting and gracious
kindness on her part in the hateful
past. She wondered if he would tell her
what he thought Of her when she told
him of her engagement or whether he
would take it quietly and go away and
brood over it. She didn't know which
would be worse.
She chartered fluently on everything
under the sun, but at last talk ran
slow. Silence fell. Marcella felt 1t
was now or never She leaned forward
and fingered the paper cutter lying at
her hand and spoke in a low voice.
She did not look at him.
I'm going to tell you something,
Ackley." she said She could feel that
he was all attention instantly. Il
perhaps | should have told yOu-told
people some time ago. but well, !
didn't. I-you've met Bob Van Puy-
ster of New York? I'm going to marry
him in June" She ended with a rush.
After IN instant she raised her eyes
bravely to meet his stricken face. Then
she stared in blank amaZement, for
Ackley Henderson was smiling surpris-
eddy. delightedly.
"Why, I'm greatly pleased" he cried
heartily. DE Puyster is fine chap.
I'm glad to hear 1t. And 1 might as
we'll tell you there's girl down in st.