Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-01-11
Berries Engagement
Is Broken
BY JOHN woRNE
(Auihor Of the ''Bsnis Stories.
(copyrisht, ISos, b. Joseph D. Bowlss.I

revolted me lately"
Didn't know I had one." he said
gloomily. 81 used to be quite healthy
when | was kid"
so / have decided that We had bet
ter part" she replied. but II is bet
ter So"
Perhaps" he said. with sadness
What is the other mans manner"
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; shouldn't like them TO bt
lying about and get into the news
papers"
YES" she replied. family. There
was a pause.
WELL" he said, II suppose I'd better
say good-by."
"Good-by." she said.
I'VE can still be friends, Of course
and all that"
"0f 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.
II may be there" she said.
Right" he replied. and passed oul
Of the room and her life.
II 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 com
panion TO whom girl ought thought
lessly to allow herself to be united
forever.
She doubted whether she ought to &c
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 of with Lady Enid and
BERTHE looked around the room.
"Ah, my dear Miss Rowen. how dc
you do? Great crowd! Just Gomez
NO" she said: I've been here for
some time"
mo. really: curious that l haven't
seen you. But there are so many peo'
pie. aren't there? May | have q
dance?"
They danced the waltz that was Just
beginning. He soon found out that
she had been 10 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 pin. Why not
simply tear 1t all off? So sorry. Sit
out the rest? Certainly.
So they retired to quiet corner OF
the conservatory. There he laborious.
ly began the same kind Of converse
ton, and she. having I'D until now
answered chiefly In monosyllables
said: Don't be foolish. Mr.. Pilking-
hame. don't think we need to be
quite so distant; II sounds rather
idiotic"
Very WELL" said BERTHE. huffed: 1T
was cite 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"
81 see; well, I'm glad YOU put 1t In
that way, because | have something
rather-rather delicate to ask you
something | couldn't ask 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 II to him. I'm sorry:
of course | meant to return II to you
this afternoon. How foolish Of mel"
1T was rather strange Of me to ask
you for It," said BERTHE. But the fact
Is, want 1t just now for q special
reason"
What reason?" she said. almost in
q whisper.
"well," he said. "as we are on such
friendly terms, | don't mind confiding
It to you. You see that tall girl in
blue over there, under that scrubby
green stufff"
"'Maude Noreham?" said Eva. star.
tied.
Eyes. Fact is, I've got the next
dance with her, and It struck me that
she's such a ripping girl that I've de-
cided to ask her to marry me. and on
occasions like this II Is always use-
full, l find, to have the ring ready. you
know"
"As you are q sort Of q sister. you
know" he went on, dreamlly. II don't
mind telling you how passionately ]
love her. II is 50 nice to have some.
body to confide In in q case like this
somebody sympathetic. You know
Maudef"
YES" said Eva, In choking voice
"Iant she A dear Rirlf Isn't ahe mar.