Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-01-11

feet that Hight Would DC cVWoiuie0'
BERTHE was quite within his rights,
though hasty. And she was fortunate
to have got rid Of man who could
see anything in that horsy Noreham
creature.
Her partner, a cheerful young man,
said: Have you heard the news ABOUT
Maude Merchant"
Her heart sank in spite Of all her
determination. about her engage
ment?" she asked, family.
EYES," 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 walt
ing for the opportunity-oh, the VII
famous treachery of 1t all! And with
her ring!
At last the music stopped, and the
dance ended. Would you mind ind
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 1t must be the heat. But her
mother was nowhere to be seen. After
wandering about in a vain search, her
eve fell on familiar figure. BERTHE
was standing beside the table. Though
munching a sandwich, he looked the
picture Of hopeless misery and despair
He came slowly toward her, mourn
fully rubbing crumbs of his gloves.
81 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 a little sympathy" he
moaned.
81 should have thought you expected
congratulations" She spoke with 8
touch Of bitterness. .
Congratulations" he exclaimed
savagely. Congratulations? Msten'
Did | tell you how loved MaudeT'
EYES," she said.
"Yes," he went on, ~ thought ha(
mentioned 1t to somebody. Well" HI
said, raising his head YEARLY, ="
asked her If she would marry me-" HI
paused "Was there anything unrea
sonable In that?" he exclaimed, fierce
, ly.
- What did she say?" faltered Eva.
, "Say? he replied. "She said: Tia
! dear boy, but I'm suited; didn't tel
!, YOU before?' Just as If l were an er
i rand boy applying for situation"
What did she mean by Didn't tel
!, you before?"
81 don't know" he said, gloomilJ
"Oh. | believe she had said somethin
). earlier in the evening about Just hay
ing become engaged to Lord Darel
= If she had, had forgotten all abor
it."
:. Then she wasn't engaged to you!
;. said Eva, with some excitement.
: mot when last heard of the ma
! ter" he said. Have you any late
. news?"
Eva was tanning herself vigorousl!
= 81 really believe you're pleased
) .lear about it," he said, reproachfulll
= mo, I'm not, she said. I'm yer
4 ,orry for you"
That's the sway with sisters; the
. llways object to people their brother
jhoose."
you can choose anybody you like,
~ she said.
Its worse than choosing a moto
: ar" he sighed. why can't one hir
IN expert to choose q wife?" H
I shook his head. And yet | must,
must"
i why in such hurry?" asked ,Evi
i L should take a day or two to loo
! around"
But it's so uncomfortable to fe'
, ones self hanging about loose and lii
+ ole to be snapped up at any momen
Besides, Pm not like other men VIII
n when they meet some sudden and to-
: rible disaster fly to drink. Drink
so vulgar; fly to matrimony."
"a "And have you had a disaster?" Sd
asked, with sisterly interest, still fal
d ming herself.
: "Disaster?" he said, dolefull,
. Listen! For three months had bee
engaged to the beautifullest, sweete'
;. darling in the whole world-er-you-
N YOU don't mind my confding to you n
, personal affairs like this?"
III She said nothing, but felt warm ar
n comfortable and happy for the fir
al time that evening.
ALLOW me to fan YOU" he sal
in taking her fan. We'll, it's a sad stor
was saying she was the perfectest
IN and so on, don't you know"
no ''Did she der said Eva, with syI
in patty. please don't brush my no
bv with the feathers"
mo. she didn't exactly die. s
~ drew herself erect with flashing ey
looking magnihcent-pardon an U
rt happy mans "reminiscences, won't 20
,st and she said: Col Out into blair
ii dismal dreary darknessl Now VIII
IN Because | was murderer? Not a
Id of IL! Because | was unkind to !
s.4.q Nat paaoura I n