The Springdale news., 1906-10-05
SPRING HATS

Original

f0riElDaL1
 never see the firefies glitter ou the lawn but go bach. 10 that scene which was to prove so eventful 10 me, though l didn't know 1t the time that Il was of any importa nee whatever. had put Dick of from one date 10 another iD the matter of our wedding, and he was becoming importunate He said he couldn't settle down to anything til we were married and once more in the humdrum of life. The humdrum of life, l was bound that fl he pro posed humdrum married condition for US I did not. But I said nothing to him of my intention l did not ap- pear to notice the objectionable word. simply told him that rousseau was essential 10 q bride and a rousseau would require months toprocure. Then, with maliee prepense, remarked that the style of spring hats was not hecom- ing to- me and I might decide on that account to wait till autumn. l said this with such naturalness that he believed me md knit his brow When he left my common sense told me that l had goHe too far with him. But l had no feAr He had tried so hard 10 get me tliat there seemed little chance Of his fGving me up for trifle.
 One evening in June I was sitting OH fbe piazza steps. The air was delicious ly balmy, and it was the season for fireflies. The children on the lawn be- meath me were fitting hither and thith- CT, laughing and shouting as they tried to catch the Lightning bugs" grasping at q flash, then turning on seeing an other in new direction. l heard the gate. which was behind q clump of low trees where I couldn't see 1t, shut with a click and quick step coming up the winding walk. I recognized Dicks step and knew by 1t that he had some thing of importance for me.
 Alas, that he came at such time. When children are naughty We tell them that bad spirit has got into them A bad spirit had certainly got into me. The sweet scene before me, instead of making me plastic, hardened me. We are unconscious of the causes of our moods. but causes are always there Perhaps in my case the hum drum of life" grated upon this first bloom of summer. At any rate, when Dick reached me was steeled against persuasion.
 Beatrice. he said. we must be mar ried at once.'
 That with me is impossible" I re piled.
 'Impossible? There is no such word.
 How would I will not suit youi'
 Much better There is something in that; in the other there is nothing"
 Ills tone was one Of irritation, and 1t had the same effect on me. I'm glad I've found words to suit you" remarked coldly.
 See here, Reatrices-with Dick See here" always preceded something dis agreeable-''if you intend 10 marry me there are reasons-yery good reasons why you should do so at once-that is, within q week The world treats us seriously and will not always wait for us. At least can't make a success of it and indulge your whims. What do you say to-
 If you are in such a hurry for the humdrum of life 1 am not. And as for whims. marriage is too serious an affair for us to mingle whims with our decisions. I will not marry now because I have not made up my mind,''
 "Oh, you have not made up your mind, We'll, l have made up mine Goodby. If you make it up before Saturday next. write me. After that it will be too late.'
 Tn another moment I heard the gate click and his footsteps rapidly growing less distinct
 The gate doesn't click now; l per suaded father to take it off its hinges ] couldn't endure to hear It. l spent week struggling with my pride, for Dicks resolute manner had told me that he was in earnest. But I could not conquer it. The week expired. wrote him as though nothing had hap pened between us, addressing him at his lodgings in the city as usual
 That's two years ago, and since that time l have never had letter from Dick I have known that about the date of our break he went 10 Mexico to establish some agency or other. Three months after his departure my letter to him came back to me from ,,xn.z....a . s,. ,--.,, ,--g ,--. -....,....,,-