Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-04-06
BREAKING THE NEWS
BY EDWIN PUGH.

BY EDWIN PUGH.
1t is odd how the news of girls en-
gagement spreads and how she at one
begins to shed old lovers for whom
she has no further use as naturally ant
painlessly as the seed pod sheds it;
outer husks. At least, that was my
case. OF all the men who had vowet
always to be Icy friend, if ever | hac
need of them, there remained-by the
time my engagement had ceased to be
an entirely new delight to me-only
Ambie (short for Ambrose) Carroway
and he, as will presently be shown
continued to dangle merely because ht
was painfully ignorant of the change
that had taken place in my condition
He called on me few days after the
proposal and as | liked him well
enough, in way, had him shown up
l must tell you that my fiance had only
just left me-indeed, the two men met
on the doorstep, believe.
was feeling rather hot and dis
heveled when the servant announce
Mr.. Carroway
Il say" he blurted forth suddenly
''who was that chap met on the step?
Do know him?"
That was Basil Cosnett," replied.
"Odd-looking person." he remarked
where's he from?".
He is from-from all over the
world" replied, deprecatingly.
He looked a bit all over the shop." "
said Ambie, tittering.
THAT reminds me-" said he. 81 am
so sorry | could not get down here lasr
Sunday. l hope it didn't put you out
at all"
Not in the least" answered Mr.
Cosnett was here, you see. He was
most entertaining.
Ambie rose in disorder and crossed
over to the window.
You seem to have borne my absence
with positive stoicism," said he.
He. eyed me in a way that made me
feel slightly uncomfortable. 1T is not
a very pleasant thing that | have to
to say to you" he went on, clearing
his throat noisily.
was utterly mystifed. Was he
going torpropose? | wondered. why
say it, Them said |.
Il must. 1t would be unfair to both
of us to keep silence any longer"
| could not withdraw my gaze from
his face; certainly this did not sound
at all. like a proposal
81 am listening reminded him,
lmpatiently.
But still he found a difficulty in pro-
ceeding.
May ask YOU "a question:" he
blurted forth at last
| nodded, smiling He bent so low
over me that his breath stirred nv
hair and tickled the back of my neck.
"How-how would you define our
our relations" he said, huskily.
"Our relations" | repeated.
Yes" said he. In what relation
would you say we stood to one another
now"
Il don't know what you mean" said
|, laughing nervOusly. What does il
matter? Why"
Cant you see" he said with a help
less gesture of the hands, "that-that
misconceptions may arise?"
Misconceptions" repeated in gen.
uine perplexity now.
Yes" he nodded eagerly you see.
we have been a good deal together vol
and |. Such familiar intercourse be-
tween man and woman as we have
enjoyed is apt to prove fatal to tho
peace of mind of one-at least-of thu
parties concerned.
Then, indeed, perceived the who'll
mean, pitiful vanity of the creature.
He actually thought that was in love
with him. | did not exclaim against
his presumption, as | might have done.
or permit him to see that fathomed
his drift at last. But any lingering
disposition to spare him, any spark of
conjunction | may have felt toward
him, died in that instant felt | could
be quite merciless And | was.
| raised my melting eyes to him
and choked back most artistic sob
You forgive me, them" he breathed,
catching at my hand and missing it.
nfted my mead sharply, as If bewil-
dered
Forgive you!" cried. What have
| to forgiven"
You are too generous" he MUIR
INJURED. You overpower me-"
1 am deeply sorry" quavered, IF
have caused you pain. To forgive
you for loving me would be too absurd.
What higher honor could you pay
me?"
Believe me, did love you sincere
ly," he said. II cannot help it if
have changed. No man is master of
his own heart. /"
l was very effectively amazed. do
you mean" | exclaimed, that YOU
you don't care now?"
Surely" said he. ''yOu can't have