The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-10-15
An Unsatisfactory Fiance.
BY FRANK n. MELooN.

Twenty times In the past two days
had Horteuse Heaton made mp her
mind TO definite action; and 20 times.
OF course. she had allowed her
thoughts 70 yacillate backward 10 the
old doubt. the old lndecislon. 1T IL
so supremacy ridiculous" she said TO
herself. softly. And the complaint
seems 80 absurd and 30 difficult to
form into words. / can't tell Robert
that he doesn't love me enough. His
alteration is too evident In his eyes
for me 10 doubt Il. but I'm not n mar.
Bile image and I don't want to be
adored as II were an angel. ! know
I'm not. know I'm Just ordinary
flesh and blood. but Robert doesn't
seem 10 think 80. I've tried every
wayI can think OF TO convince him.
but it's no use"
Miss Hortense flung herself face
downward on the most tempting piece
OF furniture In the room. burying her
pretty nose In the very middle OF q
pillow stuffed with ar balsam. She
did not attempt TO keep back the tears
which forced themselves TO her ador.
able blue eyes or TO choke down the
sobs which convulsed a throat as
dainty and fair as any models.
what would Robert say II he could
see me now?" she thought. a smile
like sunshine In the midst OF summer
rain flashing across her face. Just
because we're both college bred. he
thinks he must act differently than
other people. And he was 80 ready
to believe my Jest about the danger
OF microbes in kissing. that I've never
been kissed once since We became
engaged. He says hugging's dem
onstration Of parliamentary affection.
and laughs at holding hands as
something peculiar TO the lower class
es. Well. I'd just like to have a little
rudimentary affection, and II some
body doesn't hold my hand pretty
soon, why, I'm just going stunning"
Having finished her cry, Miss Hor.
tense felt decidedly better.\ She sat
up and began to fling soft pillows
into new positions with athletic vigor
The ideal" she exclaimed, sharply.
Il don't see what makes Robert so
stiff and prim. He's a good deal
like an old maid since he got those
horrid degrees Of A. M. and Phi. d.
What good will they do him. anyway?
He's got the money to have a good
time without them; and II he hadn't II
now, he could share mine as soon as
we're married. ! guess dad will give
me enough for both. AS 1t is, can
truthfully say I'd rather have been
born without silver spoon In my
mouth, IL all the silver spoon is go
ing to bring me is a man gone daft
against kissing and hugging and hold
ing hands. Being engaged to a mar
like that is what our Mamie would
call the raw limitr"
Her brain formed mental picture
of Robert Rouin. A. NJ, Phi. D., tai.
and athletic of figure, clad In perfect
fitting evening clothes, just as she had
last seen him. Severity sat Centaur.
like upon his Gibson-modeled face, but
1t was the severity of thought
why" continued the girl, indlg.
nantly, cant he cast 1t off for few
minutes when he is with me? He
loves me; don't doubt that. But II
is like the terrible admiration of Zeus.
1t is as If a god were making love to
a mortal half fearing to sully him.
self by touching the inferior being. |
I'm sure Robert hasn't that feeling. |
but that's exactly what it's like"
Miss Hortense recalled the fact |
that her unsatisfactory fiance had
won his varsity letter on the foot
ball eleven. She also summoned to
mind several stories Of his athletic |
ability which had not little infiu-
enced her decision when she had to
make up her mind whether to say yes |
or no to the great question which
comes at least once to every girl.
Since his classmates had sepa.
rated and scattered to the four cor.
ners of the earth, Robert Rouin, A.
NJ, PHI D., had been continually,
though unconsciously, demonstrating
he difference which existed between
himself and Robert Rouin, right tackle
If the varsity eleven. 1t was, per-
1aps, accounted for by the fact that
his mind had turned to newer and
yraver channels; that he was con-
ronted by obstacles of infinitely great
IF difficulty and moment; and that.
,eing always set and obstinate and
stubborn In his way, he
vas bound to surmount them.
Now, what shall I writer" Miss !
Iortense asked herself, dipping q
earl handled pen into the cut glass
ak well at ner right hand. She