The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-16
a Cold Water Cure
BY i j BELL, Author Of Wee Mac Greegor

This is splondid," cried Ethel JOY
fully. Aren't We getting on7 Why,
we've nearly fixed on two per-
formances.,'
Yes; you only want fifteen or six
teen more to make II fair program," I
observed cheerfully.
Ethel became absorbed and ate aone
OF her pencil pduring the next few
minutes.
you might suggest somebody, she
said Mt length.
.Well--let me sec--1ve a cousin who
Is an exquisite TENOR
ooh. do let us have him, Dicl<,"fshe
interrupted.
"But he's in Ccylon at present"
you are provoking"
Glow about Ruth Darling?" nuer-
led. with some hesitation.
"Of course. IL you would like to
have her." sold Ethel.
II assure you began.
Yes: I'll ask her. That makes
three"
but don't really want her, dear"
protested.
''you used to want her dreadfully.'
50 Id Ethel
Nonsense" was somewhat ruff
fled. I wish Ethel wouldn't remember
everything.
Come. now. Dick; you are, dull to-
day Mention some OF your friends.
There's Mr. Andrews, whom YOU used
| to talk about 80 much. Would he
| sing for us?'
| shook my head solemnly and MUIR
INJURED dead"
There was slight pause.
"lt must have been very sudden"
che observed
Terribly sudden, dearest"
Yes. indeed; for you see. met him
at the Clarks' last night"
.-H =. H., ,,,t, =. 49, t.
fcebly.
lie may have half dozen twin
brothers. but none OF them were at the
i Clarks's.
The afternoon had become oppres-
sively close. felt too hot for speech.
4 I heard Ethel snap the elastic band
on her notebook, and knew that she
/ was searching for her pocket.
II say, Ethel" I began, at last. ut
Twas only Joke
i. "Of course It was" she returned
calmly: "you surely don't expect me
4 to take you seriously at any timer
4 I felt small enough to have fallen
A between the bars OF the garden seat
I'm very sorry, dear" ! sighed
$50 am 1. But It's better to know
the worst"
you mean?"
II mean that am glad to have dis.
covered in time how deceitful you car
4 te."
"oh rot, Ethel! You know perfectl,
would never deceive YOU
II used to think SO.
There was lengthy silence; ther
! I spoke:
Look here. dear
Please do not call me that"
!, II beg your pardon, dearest. but yo'
: are lot to blame.
How dare your she cried, indig
nantly
], Indeed, It's all your fault. darling
{ she tilted her chn-"you get so in
terested in Armenians, and tombstone
and Patagonions. and things, that yol
l neglect me. and my character suffers
What can you expect?"I went on. hold
ing out my hands in vague appeal
: Its a wonder I am not altogethe
! abandoned by this time"
l She said nothing, and ! proceeded:
Your mother feels it. too. She 1
9 worried about your health. SO an
H."
. "But that's silly OF you" said Ethe,
softening little. :
''of course 1t is,' I admitted; II ar
100 fond Of you; I am foolish abou
Q you; l deceived you to- day. admit
Q deceived you-because I loved YOU"
''And do you think don't" sh
I began.
;. mo: you don't really care for ms
: Ethel" I said. tragically.
It was long time ere she spoke
then, heard her murnluring as II t
t, herself:
t Poor Patagonians!"
i. "Eh?' said I, starting. why SO?
r Because they can't have any con
cert now" she whispered sadly.
/" "Do you mean it, Ethel?"
well, II you won't help me-"
G t"No; won't help YOU" I said. dc
termnedly
you are horrid. Dick. and yet"
What. darlins?"
Perhaps you are trine better tina
@ a Patas onian."'
You sweet wee SOUL" said. shaA
: lily. '.I3ut wish had asked 70
II nicely at the beginning to give up tt
G. idea OF a concert"
y II wouldn't have listened to yo
= then-I was SO enthusiastic until 70
threw cold water on my plans, Dick
10 She sighed ever SO softly.
: II got chilled myself" said l.
le and you deserved it, she sal
laughing and pushing me away.