The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-05
Berries Engagement
Is Broken
By JOHN WORNE
(Author of the "Bertie Stories.")
Copyright. 1905. by Joseph B. Bowles.)


Your outlook upon life has often
revolted me lately"
Didn't know l had one he said,
gloomily. 81 used to be quite healthy
when l was a kid
80 have decided that we had bet
ter part" she replied, but it is bet
ter So
Perhaps" he said, with sadness.
What is the other mans name?"
What other man." 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, of
course; l shouldn't like them to be
lying about and get into the news
papers,"
YES" she replied, family. There
was pause.
Well" he said, Il suppose I'd better
say good-by."
"Good-by," she said.
I'VE 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.
Il may be there" she said.
Right" he replied, and passed out
of the room and her life.
1t had been happy dream and must
now be forgotten. A man who took
life so lightly, however attractive he
might be for a time, was not a COM
panion to whom a 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 and
BERTHE looked around the room.
"Ah, my dear Miss Rowen, how do
you do? Great crowd! Just Gomez"
NO. she said; I've been here for
some time"
mo, really; curious that 1 haven't
seen you. But there are so many peo-
pie, aren't there? May have
dancer"
They danced the waltz that was just
beginning. He soon, found out that
she had been to the academy and was
a great admirer of Wagner. So was
he. Had she read many novels lately?
jolly waltz they were playing. blue
Danube" wasn't it? Yes Confound
the fellow! Hoped she wasn't hurt.
No, he hadn't got a pin. Why not
simply tear it all Off? So sorry. Sit
out the rest? Certainly.
So they retired to a quiet corner of
the conservatory. There he laborious-
ly began the same kind of converse
ton, and she, having up until now
answered chiefly in monosyllables,
said: Don't be foolish, Mr.. Pilking-
hame. / don't think We need to be
quite so distant; it sounds rather
idiotic."
Very WELL" said BERTHE, huffed; cit
was quite up to the level of my usual
conversation on first introductions,
though"
"Oh, / didn't mean tnat," she said
hastily. Il mean as we've known each
other so many years"
II see; well, I'm glad you put it in
that way, because 1 have something
rather-rather delicate to ask you
something l couldn't ask a complete
stranger"
He hesitated. ''The fact is, l should
rather like you to return me the ring
once gave you-er-you may perhaps
remember"
She handed it to him. I'm sorry:
of course l meant to return it to you
this afternoon. How foolish of mel"
'It was rather strange of me to ask
you for it, said BERTHE. But the fact
is, want it just now for a special
reason"
What reason?" she said, almost in
q whisper.
Well he said, "as we are on such
friendly terms, l don't mind confiding
it to you. You see that tall girl in
blue over there, under that scrubby
green stuff"
''Maude Noreham?" said Eva. star
tied.
.'Yes. Fact is, I've got the next
dance with her, and it struck me that
she's such ripping girl that I've de-
cided to ask her to marry me. and on
occasions like this it is always use-
full, find, to have the ring ready. YOU
know"
GAS you are sort of a sister Won
know" he went on, dreamily, 81 don't
mind telling you how passionately I
love her. 1t is so nice to have some
body to confide in in a ease like this
somebody sympathetic You know
Maude?"
EYES," said Eva, in a choking voice
isn't she dear girl? Isn't she per-
feet? Did YOU ever see such hair, SIGH
eyes, such an outlook? And her dis
position is so SWEET
"I think you've-you'ye made q worry