Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-01-11
Berries Engagement
Is Broken
BY JOHN wORNE
(Author Of the ''Hsnie stories.")


didn't know l had one, ne Saul
aIoomily. 81 used to be quite healthy
when was kid"
$50 have decided that we had DEL
ter part" she replied, but 1t Is pet-
ter &c."
"Perhaps," he said, with sadness
NWhat is the other mans manner"
"What other MANI" she asked
quickly.
"The sympathetic man with the jol-
ly outlook"
She flushed and said with warmth:
'There is no other mani"
He toyed with his gloves, making
preparations for departure.
"You will burn all my letters, Oh
course; shouldn't like them to be
lying about and get into the news
papers"
Eyes" she replied, family. There
was a pause.
"Well," he said, II suppose Ia better
say good-by."
"Good-by," she said.
1--WE can still be friends, OF course,
and all that"
"Of course"
"All right; and I'll come to you
whenever I'm in trouble or anything.
He was at the door, but stopped
again. "See you at the Farborough's
dance tonight" he asked.
81 may be there" she said.
Fright" he replied, and passed out
Of the room and her life.
It had been happy dream and must
now be forgotten. A man who took
life SO lightly, however attractive he
might be for time, was not COM
panion to whom girl ought thought
lessly to allow herself to be united
forever.
She doubted whether she ought to go
to the Farborough's; but she had
promised to be there, and did not like
to disappoint the duchess.
He was already there.
About half an hour after her arrival
he happened to be standing near her
uttering pleasant nonsense to Lady
Enid, the daughter Of the house. A
man walked off with Lady Enid ant
BERTHE looked around the room.
"Ah, my dear Miss Rowen, how dC
you do? Great crowd! Just conner
mo-" she said; i've been here fol
some time"
mo, really; curious that haven
seen you. But there are so many PEG
pie, aren't there? May have
dance?"
They danced the waltz that was jus
beginning. He soon found out tina
she had been to the academy and wa
q great admirer of Wagner. So wa
he. Had she read many novels lately
Jolly waltz they were playing. "Blu'
Danube" wasn't 1t? Yes. Confount
the fellow! Hoped she wasn't hurt
No, he hadn't got pin. Why no
simply tear 1t all off? So sorry. 81
out the rest? Certainly.
So they retired to quiet corner q
the conservatory. There he laborious
ly began the same kind Of converse
ton, and she, having up until nov
answered chiefly in monosyllables
said: Don't be foolish, Mr.. Pilking
hame. don't think we need to b
quite SO distant; 1t sounds rathe
idiotic."
Every WE'LL" said BERTHE, hufied; Il
was quite up to the level Of my usua
conversation ON first introductions
though"
"Oh, / didn't mean tnat," she said
hastily. Il mean as we've known eacl
other so many years"
II see; we'll, I'm glad you put 1t II
that way, because have something
rather-rather delicate to ask you
something l couldn't ask complet
stranger"
He hesitated. THE fact is, shoul
rather like you to return me the rim
once gave you-er-you may perhap
remember"
She handed It to him. I'm sorry
OF course 4 meant W iSbulh ~ w ~
this afternoon. How foolish Of mel"
at was rather strange of me to as
you for IT," said BERTHE. But the fax
is, want 1t just now for a speciI
reason"
what reasonY" she said, almost
q whisper.
WELL" he said, "as we are on sue
friendly terms, don't mind confdin
II to you. You see that tall girl
blue over there, under that scrubt
green stuff?"
''Maude Merchant" said Eva, sta
tied
Eyes. Fact is, I've got the ne,
dance with her, and it struck me tn
she's such a ripping girl that I've d
cIded TO ask her to marry me, and
occasions like this 1t is always US
full, ind, to have the ring ready, y
know"
"As you are a sort Of a sister, y
know" he went on, dreamily, Il dol
mind telling you how passionately
love her. It is so nice to have son
body 10 confide in In q case like this
somebody sympathetic. You I'M
Maudel"
Eyes" said Eva, in q choking vol
aIsn9 she dear girli Isn't she p
.fecti Did you ever see such hair, 81
sves. such an outlook! And her Z
saa... A. -. rwaaakfm