The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-14
HER LOVE AFFAIR.
THE BACHELOR WHO WAS CON.
SISTENT


mitted that, irrespective of persona
pride or family affection.
And she poured coffee as cleverl,
as she made 1t. She always looked
her best at these times. 1t was wei,
Tor his beauty-loving eye that that
was what she was doing when h,
hrst saw her, They were brought to
gcther at little informal reception
AZ the house OF a friend After hi
had met her there a second time h,
felt that he was privileged to cal
on her at her own home, She CAV,
him coffee there. too, and somehow
| presiding over her own urn lent q
new charm TO her gentle graciousnsss
These bubbles foretel that Their.
Is to be deep friendship established
between us" he said. looking thought
fully into the fragile. cup. That il
interesting, isn't it?"
yes" she laughed "but not very
surprising. What else do you seer"
20, nothing in particular You see
he resumed, after pause, II am q
great advocate of friendship. be
lieve 1t is to be valued above all
other ties, love not excepted. My
ideal Of an earthly attachment Is a
pure, dsinterested friendship, whether
1t exists between man and man Of,
woman and woman, or between the
sexes"
II never could understand" she in
terrupted, what people mean by a
disinterested friendship. If you are
disinterested how can you be
friend?"
"Disinterested from persona,
standpoint" he explained. Thought
full and sollcitous for the friend, OF
course. AS was saying a moment
ago ! believe that there Is no rela
ton that brings out the highest senti
ments in ones nature as does friend
ship. Jealousy, suspicion and all
fidelity, unselfishness and integrity
dominate the heart"
You are enthusiastic" she re,
marked.
Perhaps" he replied, "hut you will
see that I am consistent in my be,
lief. | see nothing to prevent our
becoming just such friends, do your"
If there were any obstacles in the
way they were soon overcome. He
called but once a week during the
first months Of their acquaintance.
but the restrictions she had imposed
against too frequent visits were final
iy removed. and then he fell into the
habit of stopping every other day on
his way home from the Office. 1t was
the coffee he went for-of course.
He told his friends so. he asserted the
same thing to her and even went so
far as to believe it himself.
They grew very confidential. It
was on the strength of their fine faith
In each other that he one day ven.
tured to tell her that she ought to
marry again.
do you think so?" she asked.
II am sure of 1t. If were not
10 old would consider the matri.
nonial question myself. But when
nan reaches my age without having
committed himself he may safely be
tut down as confirmed bachelor.
Then is when we learn to value
so highly. / wish | were
ither a little younger or possessed
f more youthful spirits. But man
With varied experience ages rapid.
y So | suppose"
She supposition ended in sigh
The reflected a moment, then said
oftly:
There Is man In the west who
5 coming to see me soon. have
cen expecting him for long time;
ut there were things prevented. ]
sed TO think him thoroughly con
email. but now know better. Since
hen have seen-men for whom
Guild care great deal more"
Have you?" he asked. What were
hey like"
"1n tell you some day" she re
lied. adroitly.
The bachelor had work out OF town
{ that time and he did not see her
gain for two weeks. He called i'm
lediately after her return and she
him with unfeigned pleas
re.
81 am so glad you have come" she
aid. as soon as he entered the room
! have so much TO tell you. Look
ito your cup and say what the bub
les say now"
He studied the surface Of the coi (
se :
Friendship" he said, "unbroken
allowed friendship :
as that all?" 9
Wees. believe 30. There is one s
ubble that might be construed other a
Use. but hardly think II would BE- )
ivisable to do So" (
She sighed. {
My friend from the west came last s
eek" she said "IIe wants me TO 4
AIRY him. You have been my sole I
,nhdant for the last two years and :
wish to consult you before giving
m a final answer. Shall accept \
m? DO you think there is nothing
tier" r
Somehow the deferential, earnest a
~ in which she put the question I
Ok something light and hopeful out n
HIS heart and left great void