The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-06-09

I rather-rather delicate 10 ask you
something | couldn't ask a complete
/ stranger"
What is it?" she said. in a low
voice. not quite knowing whether she
hoped OF feared. He hesitated.
"The fact is. should rather like you
TO return me the ring once gave you
er-you may perhaps remember"
"Oh, certainly" she said. She had
forgotten all about It; It was still on
her finger. She handed IL TO him. q
am sorry; Of course, meant TO return
it 10 you this afternoon. How foolish
Of me-"
She would have liked at least one
more attack upon her sense Of duty.
Not that she would have yielded, Of
course.
NO" said BERTHE, "it was rather
strange Of me TO ask for It, But the
fact IS. want It just now for a special
reason"
He held it between his thumb and
forefnger and looked at It tenderly.
She saw that the attack was coming,
and rejoiced.
what reason?" she said, almost in
a whisper.
Well" he said, "as we are on such
friendly terms, don't mind confding
il 10 you. You see that tall girl in
blue over there, under that scrubby
green stuff?"
"Maude Merchant" said Eva, start
led.
yes Fact is, I've got the next
dance with her. and It struck me that
she's such a ripping girl that I've de-
Cided TO ask her 10 marry me. and on
occasions like this It is always useful
l find. to have the ring ready, you
know"
"Ol" said Eva She could think Of
nothing more to say.
"As you are a sort Of a sister, you
know" he went on dreamily, Il don't
mind telling you how passionately
love her. II is so nice 10 have some
body to confde in. in a case like this
somebody sympathetic. You know
Maude?"
Yes, said Eva, in a choking voice.
Isn't she a dear girl? Isn't she per-
feet? Did you ever see such hair, such
eyes, such an outlook? And her dis
position is so sweet"
Il think you've-you've made a very
good choice"
Eva was making a heroic effort to
see things In the common-sense light;
to a sister all this should be inter-
esting, nothing more.
I'm glad you are pleased" he said
Il value your opinion more highly than
that Of any other friend I've got So
you ADVISE me to do it?"
90, yesl" she said, with hollow
cheerfulness.
Thank you, thank you so much!" he
said, shaking her hand earnestly and
looking into her eyes. Isn't that the
next dance beginning"
Eva had a headache. She deter
mined to 90 home, and looked around
for her mother, but was claimed for
the next dance by an elderly gentle
man who would take no refusal. And
she was fortunate to have got rid Of
a man who could see anything in that
horsey Noreham creature.
Her next partner, a cheerful young
man. said, "Have you heard the news
about Maude Noreham?
Her heart sank, in spite Of all her
determination. "About-about-her en-
gagement?" she asked, family.
YES" said her partner. Lucky
beggar. isn't he?"
She didn't know what reply she
made, nor what they talked about for
the rest Of that dance. She only knew
that, in order to do this so suddenly,
BERTHE and that-that person must
have had an understanding for months
before. must have simply been watt
ing for the opportunity. must have
oh. the villainous treachery Of II all.
Mother, I really think we had bet
ter go now" she began. when her eye
fell on a familiar figure. BERTHE was
standing at the table. Though MUNICH
ing a sandwich. he looked the picture
Of hopeless misery.
Nonsense, nonsense" said the
duke; Il couldn't allow such thing;
the next is my dance with Mrs. Row
en-" And they went away and left her
and alone.
BERTHE came slowly toward her,
rubbing crumbs off HIS
gloves. His step was heavy; II seemed |
as if the light had gone out of his |
life.
Il think the next is our dance. Miss
Rowen." he said. offering his arm.
What was she TO do? She took It /
and they walked toward the ballroom /
In silence.
do you want TO dance this?" he /
asked, in hollow tones.
Just as you like" she replied.
Il do not feel" said BERTHE. 'as II /
should ever want to dance again."
He took her to the conservatory and /
hey sat down in the same corner as /
before. He groaned and put his head
IN his hands. She waited, with some
"Oh for a little sympathy" he
noaned.
Il should have thought you expected
congratulations" She spoke with a
ouch Of bitterness.
Congratulations" he exclaimed,
iavagely. Congratulations. Listen!
can come to you in my trouble. can
not?"
She said nothing.
Did tell you how loved Maude?"
Yes" she said.
Yes" he went on, Il thought | had
mentioned 1t TO somebody. Well
lie paused. She waited.
Well" he said, raising his head
yearily. Il asked her II she would
marry me-" He paused again. "Was
here anything unreasonable in that?"
le exclaimed. fiercely.
"What-what did she say?" faltered