Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-22
BERTHE
THE ~
BY JOHN ORNE
tAuthOr of the 'ssfie stOhes."l
Copyright. 1906. by Joseph B. Bowies.)

deal from you, Mr.. Pilkinghame, since
we became engaged, but you have gone
too far"
BERTHE was overcome with humility
and repentance.
Can vol deny" she continued, turn
ing fercely upon him, that you pro-
posed to Enid Stafford last night?"
81 did not" he said, firmly; 'she pro-
posed to me-practically."
"Oh! Well, l give you my full per-
mission to marry her!"
Il am sorry" he replied. 81 was
hoping you would put difficulties in the
way. | trusted to you to put an end
to this foolish ENHANCEMENT. Eva,
Eva, have you considered what misery
this means to us both?"
Thank you," she said, frigidly, 81
have no doubt that | can console my
self. l will accept the first proposal
that comes"
"You are very hard upon me. How
ever, good-by."
"Good-by," she said.
He hailed a hanson and drove to one
Of his II clubs. In the smoking room
he found the colonel writing a letter
to the Times. The colonel was the
most shocking bore ever known. He
had proposed to Eva before her en-
gagement to BERTHE, and even that he
had done in an insufferably dull way.
BERTHE went up to him and said, in a
husky voice: 81 congratulate you,
sir" .
HEh 0n Cafd %ha aI1-I HNl i
yes-that article on 'Gladstonian Fal-
lacies.' Yes, / flatter myself that it
has its merits"
Il didn't mean that" BERTHE looked
around, saw that nobody was within
hearing, and said: 81 have Just seen
Miss Rowen." He stopped. The
colonel was still puzzled. Il found
her cold toward me. tried to get an
explanation. | soon found that | was
in q false position
"Bless my SOUL" said the colonel,
becoming very red in the face.
Bertie's voice broke. Il felt bound
to release her from her engagement"
he said. "l-I-congratulate you, sir"
"Tm-I'm very sorry for you,"
gasped the colonel, uecently conceal
ing his bllssful rapture. BLESS my
soul!"
NO." said BERTHE, never mind me.
l ought to have known from the first
that my case was hopeless against a
man who could write like you-upon-
upon-er-the subject Of that article"
BLESS my SOUL" repeated the colo
mel, dazed. 81 must-I must-go home
and consider this. This is most i'm
portant. I-er-"
-Four o'clock was the time l under
stood her to say she would be at
home"
BLESS my soul! Four this after
noon! Dear! Dear! Good morning
He hurried out with a light step, NUT
tering to himself.
1t was not long before Lord Bobby
Dalmainham strolled in for his Gus
I tomary t1r-breakfas. light reading.
I BERTHE only looked at him with q cold
I stare, rose and walked toward the
l door.
5 "Hello!" said Lord Bobby, with a
blank face, whats happened now
7 You'll understand" said BERTHE.
T that it is quite impossible for our
| acquaintance to continue"
, why on earth" asked Lord Bobby.
WELL" said BERTHE, bitterly, you'll
| be glad to hear that I'm no longer en-
; gagged to Miss Rowen."
Tin most awfully sorry, .old man.
I But what"
.Mnnn nf ryntr np0aoIilat, +anr5
please. 1t was only with great diff
Guilty that | extracted from her the fact
that this Is Just what you and she have
been longing for for months past"
by Jove!" said Lord Bobby.
"She owed me some explanation for
! the change IN her feelings toward me.
| soon found that a visit from some
body was hoped for at four this after
noon, and 1t didn't take long to find
out who that somebody was-and this
is your gratitude to the man who
saved your life"
MY dear fellow, II can't say how
sorry | am for you; but it's the fortune
of war, you know. Four o'clock, did
you say? Each mar for himself, you
hho", vi ooiiCDOuy uOCo II iCol.
BE punctual," BERTHE called out after
him as he left the room.
He then wandered around, looking
for men who were acquainted with
Eva. He drove off to another club, and
there also was the cause of much hap
piness in three bosoms. They were
all sympathetic in their condolences,
and they all determined to be pune
.tual.
At half-past three it was raining, and
Eva decided to stay at home. At five
minutes to four John looked in. Col.
Cush is at the door, miss. Shall l say
Not at homer"
She thought it well to be polite to
the colonel, as he was al old friend of
Mr.. Rowen. You may say we're at
home, and then go and ask Mrs.
Rowen to come quickly. And If any
body else dOes COME don't suppose