Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-01-11

no refusal. This gave her time TO 70
feet that flight would be cowardice
Berthe was quite within his rights
though hasty. And she was fortunate
to have got rid OF a man who could
see anything In that horsy Noreham
creature.
Her partner. q cheerful young man
said: Have you heard the news about
Maude Noreham?"
Her heart sank In spite Of all her
determination. About her engage
ment?" 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 wait.
ing for the opportunity-oh. the VII
famous treachery Of II all! And with
her ring!
At last the music stopped, and the
dance ended. Would you mind find.
Ing my mother for me?" she said, with
difficulty keeping back the tears.
Her partner was very sorry. and
hoped she wasn't feeling faint. She
thought Il must be the heat. But her
mother was nowhere TO be seen. After
wandering about In vain search. her
eye fell on a familiar figure. BERTHE
was standing beside the table. Though
munching q sandwich, he looked the
picture of hopeless misery and despair
He came slowly toward her. mourn.
fully rubbing crumbs of his gloves.
II think the next is our dance. Miss
Rowen," he said. Offering his arm.
What was she to do? She took Il,
and they walked toward the conserva'
tory.
"oh. for o little sympathy" he
m0aned.
IL should have thought you expected
congratulations" She spoke with q
touch Of bitterness.
"Congratulations?" he exclaimed.
savagely. Congratulations? Listen!
Did | tell you how loved Maude?"
YES" she said.
YES" he went on. 81 thought ! had
mentioned 1t to somebody. Well" he
said, raising his head YEARLY. Il
asked her II she would marry me-" He
paused. WAS there an! thing unrea.
sonable in that" he exclaimed. fierce
E.
What did she say?" faltered Eva.
say he replied. "She said: Ia,
dear boy, but I'm suited; didn't | tell
you before?' just as II were an er-
rand boy applying for situation"
What did she mean by Didn't tell
you before?'"
81 don't know" he said, gloomily.
"Oh. | believe she had said something
earlier in the evening about just hav-
Ing become engaged to Lord Daren.
II she had, had forgotten all about
IT,"
"Then she wasn't engaged to yOu?'
said Eva. with some excitement.
mot when last heard Of the mat
ter" he said. Have you any later
news?"
( Eva was tanning herself vigorously
Il really believe you're pleased to
hear about It," he said, reproachfully
! mo. I'm not" she said. I'm very
sorry for you"
That's the way with sisters; they
always object to people their brothers
choose"
"You can choose anybody you like. u
she said.
"It's worse than choosing a motor
car" he sighed. Why can't one hire
an expert to choose q wife?" He
shook his head. And yet | must,
must"
why In such q hurry" asked Eva.
IL should take q day or two to look
around"
"Rut it's 30 uncomfortable to feel
ones self hanging about loose and liza
BILE to be snapped up at any moment
Besides. I'm not like other men who
when they meet some sudden and ter.
rible disaster fly to drink. Drink IL
20 vulgar; fly to matrimony."
"And have you had disaster?" she
asked with sisterly interest. still fan.
ming herself.
Disaster" he said, dolefully.
Listen! For three months had been
engaged to the beautifullest, sweetest
darling in the whole world-er-you-
you don't mind my confiding to you my
personal affairs like this?"
She said nothing. but felt warm and
comfortable and happy for the first
time that evening.
"Allow me to fan you," he said
taking her fan. well, it's q sad story.
I was saying she was the perfectest-
and 30 on, don't you know"
did she die?" said Eva, with sym
patty. please don't brush my nose
with the feathers"
mo, she didn't exactly die. She
drew herself erect, with flashing eye,
looking magnifcent-pardon an un-
happy mans "reminiscences, won't you?
and she said: Col Out into blank,
dismal, dreary darkness!' Now why?
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