The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-09-12
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J: MRS. KERRISON'S y,
~ HEART 1
10 M
'gs--(A Short Story. )--@&

"Why?" she asked. A most awk-
ward question.
"Why?" l repeated slowly, to gain
time. "Oh, because those people in
there bore me. And you-you never
do that, Miss Kerrlson."
well. 1t is something to be har-
Dor of refuge" she remarked.
THANK you. Then, by the way, is It
really true, this time, that 1 am to
congratulate your"
"On my good fortune In finding
you here, do you mean? Why, GER
tainly," | said.
Il did not mean that" she said.
Il meant that-that-well, the usual
rumor is out concerning you."
Indeed" l exclaimed. "But
which of the usual rumors do you
refer to?"
There is only one-isn't there
that is commonly linked with the
name of an eligible young bachelor.
But is it true?"
Believe me-" assured her, "it is
not true"
Il am so glad" she breathed softly.
Poor girl! At least-that is"
She wouldn't have covered up her
indiscretion, but perceiving that it
was now too late, she paused abrupt
ly and lapsed into silence.
why are you glad?" | asked, 'I
had not intended to proceed on ex-
actly these lines, but 1 found it diff
cult to be sufficiently brutal now that
the necessity confronted me-"
oh" she drawled, with a woeful
aHectation of Indifference, "I think,
as the song says, You are owre
young to marry yet, you know"
Il wonder what your wife will be
like" she went on presently. "I do
nope she will be a nice, helpful sort
OF girl. and not mere society butter
fy-like me-"
IF she were like you" I be-
gan, and stopped.
She won't be-" said Miss Kerrison
quickly.
Il mean," she explained, "that the
object of our first fancy is so seldom
the person to make us truly happy.
IL we out knew ii.
| remembered then that some one
mad told me this was Miss Kerrison's
third season.
First love is the only love-" T
SAID firmly. I had temporized with
my conscience too long already. She
must now be made to realize the sad
truth in all its ghastllness.
That Is not so," she said. "Re-
lieve me, Mr.. Craven, when | tell Won
that you are as yet far too young to
know what is best for your welfare" +"
Anyway" said l, when my fate
does come along"
And there l made an abrupt end
for she had suddenly begun to laugh
There could be no doubt about n
she was laughing-not Historically.
either, but with unmistakable eniov-
ment, as at an irresistible Jest.
Mr.. Craven" she said at last.
more seriously, II think I'll be frank
with you. My honest dealing NAV
conceiyably cost me your good onin-
ion, but only for time. You'll like
me all the better afterward. And I
am sure you have enough common
sense, really, not to think me un-
womanly or immodest in saying what
am about to say to you now"
MISS Kerrison," 1 cried In sore
distress, "forbear, reflect, consider.
Don't speak yet. You may save MS
both much pain II you keep silent"
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed sharply
This was an affront. go on, then,
If you will" said sternly.
I've an idea." she said, "that we
are at cross-purposes, and that 1t is
all the fault of those dear, foolish
Frisbye. Mrs. Frisby has said some
thing to you about-well, about me.
hasn't she? Please be straightfor.
ward, Mr.. Craven"
No, she hasn't" answered.
Mr.. Frisby. then?"
eyes"
What did he say?"
l turned on her in desperation.
How can l repeat what he said?" I
cried. Miss Kerrison, let me i'm
piore you to say no more. Let me
N@NtA
NO" she replied. IT will tell sou
what they said. They told you l.
weil-had a penchant for you"
They were wrong" | exclaimed,
still eager to spare her.
'of course they were" she re-
Joined. "As wrong as they were
when they told --well--that you
were-in love-with my unworthy
sell. But" And she began 10
laugh again. This woman. I tell
you. had no sense of humor, or of
decency, either, should think. "But
tney meant well. l suppose. And
there's no harm done---except to our
vanity perhaps. Anyway, the path
they would have US tread hardly leads
to the Wicked place, does it?"
And she smiled at me inscrutablv
and think she would have added
some pleasant. salving words. But
just then a man poked his head round
the bead curtain and she darted nm
and went forward to greet him. I
heard her call him Frank" and /
guessed then that 1t was for him she
had been waiting so meekly, all alone.
And at last | understood knew
that III had merely provided some
comic relief from the tedium OF her
yigil.--The Sketch.