Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-06-20
Ana, don,l trnnhle yonrself. Q


Canada"
81 never thought that Freddy Brown
would have breathed-'
Ills voice was trine husky, but
perhaps It was the tea. Another piece
OF sugar. please Thanks. Wen,
Brown didn't blame you, Lydia
Poor boy"
He only said you were heartiess
little lirt, and"
81 can assure you, Paul, that he
never had any encouragement from
me | couldn't bear him
! Somehow. | always had an idea
| that you liked him-not so well, per-
haps as Murray or Anderson, or Mer-
edith. or
You're awfully mean Have you
finished YOU tea?"
Eyes, thank you Just ready for my
second cup, Lydia But about
/ Brown"
"If you say another word about
Brown. or anybody else I'll leave you.
Indeed. | will What right have you
to discuss-a-these sort of things?"
Three Jumps, Lydia. What rign,.
did you say? The right-ahem OF
rejected lover!"
"Fiddlesticks! Take your tea, and
be quick.
Here's hospitality" said l, taking
the cup from her. DO you treat all
your male friends like this, Lydia?"
mo; | treat them as gentlemen
she retorted.
You mean" | asked, stung by her
tone
Il mean that none OF my male
friends, us you call them, would talk
as you have done"
NO; each would talk about himself,
/ suppose You have an unfortunate
way of making men conceited for a
wCs,k or two. Lydia
oh"
And I'm getting rather tired OF
meeting fellows whom you have lifted
into the seventh heaven and then
dropped. Please let me go on-Ive
nearly finished If I'm not speaking
the truth you can contradict me after
wards. I've had this bottled up for
months, and can keep it no longer.
| cant stand hearing men calling you
firt It's horrible to me who have
known you and been f-friendly with
you nearly all your life, | wish to
goodness you had brother, or "a
husband. YOU"
She interrupted me by rising sud
denly and facing me. Her eyes were
very bright, but her face was pale
Hadn't you better go now?" she said
coldly.
put down my cup and rose. You
wont listen to me- Lydia?" said
sadly.
MY patience is rather limited, ant
your-er-conversat is rather dull.
And your conscience"
rs none of your business"
We looked at one another. and a
last her eyes dropped.
"I'll go, Lydia" | said, with an eff
fort. And won't interfere again. Ii
fact, | won't meet you again, If car
help it."
> Very we'll" she murmured.
turned from her without even {
, formal farewell; but at the door {
queer idea occurred to me, and | re
traced my steps She was standing by
the hearth, looking into the fire, as
detached something from the end OF
my watch-chain and slipped it into heI
hand.
Whats this?" she exclaimed.
"A relic of your first Irritation"
replied. "As you can see, the gilt Is
off it. Put it in the fire. I've Otter
intended to do so, but always lacked
the courage"
For moment she bent over the
, little brass ring with its glass anC
, tinsel ruby. 1T used to be too biz
, for me- she whispered, as If to her
self.
Yes; | remember it came off yer!
easily" ! muttered, and somehow
, sighed.
She glanced up at me, and locke,
down again.
v Put it in the fire and I'll get away,
said l.
She gave queer little laugh. II
slipped on to my finger just now-s
= silly of it!-and | can't get it off"
T Let me sec it,"
She held up her left hand, and sa,
/, the glass ruby winking freely on tn
! third finger
: Let me try Lydia" whispere
softly in spite of myself, And sh
. laughed again, and gave me her hanC
. But the ring was tight and could nc
BE- removed without hurting her.
Wont it come OFF," she aa6e
, quietly.
VI II don't want to hurt you"
:, Don't your she said dreamil.
y And then, "Oh, Paul, Paul" she criet
u why did you give it to me?"
= Lydia
1T makes me remember"
What, Lydia?"
W "Oh, just everything worth remer