Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-12-18
A Few
Letters
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The young woman with the level
brows and firmly compressed lips in
front Of her desk staring at the photo
graph Of good-looking young man.
1t was in gold frame and stood up
before her. She bit the end of her
pen fiercely every now and then.
Suddenly she made a dab at the ink
well and stabbed the sheet OF pale
blue letter paper before her with
blurred capital. Then she wrote rap
Idly:
My Dear Mr.. Ferguson: After the
occurrence OF last eEening, which so
effectually opened my eyes to your
true character and the instability Of
your affections, 1t is almost unneces-
sary for me to take the trouble to
tell you that everything is over be-
tween US. You, of course, will have
realized that before this letter reaches
you. There will be not the slightest
use in your begging to be forgiven,
because when person once deceives
me my confidence is killed, So com.
pletely has any fancy that ever
cared for you been blotted out that
remember with scorn and pity the
foolish girl who thought you vera
her ideal man. l am almost moved
to thank you for revealing yourself
to me and saving me a lifetime of
misery.
II wish you much happiness in
your second choice, Miss Gaylord. She
Is certainly more your type of girl
than am. Many persons call her
loud and vulgar, but they probably
have not your. discriminating under.
standing of her.
"A package of the trifes which
you have bestowed on me. Including
an engagement ring, will reach you
shortly. Truly yours.
isabel M'Hatton."
She read 1t over triumphantly, con-.
sidered while and then read It again,
Then she frowned. She read it a
third time. Then she looked at the
picture. Then she tore the letter in
two slowly and began to write:
Dear Mr.. Ferguson: The little in.
cident of last evening. which in itself
was nothing, supplied the finishing
touch which decided a question that
has troubled me for some time.
feel that I do not care enough for
YOU to marry you. Wider experience
has taught me where my heart lies.
1 am relieved In telling you this to
feel that 1t will not be blow to you,
as, no doubt. your consolation even
now JIG In your mind. With best
wishes, sincerely yours,
Isabel M'fIatton."
She smiled in q satisfied way.
s'That phrase about experience teach.
ing me where my heart lies is really
clever" she murmured. nHe will
think that mean Clifford Gray. He
was always jealous OF Clifford!"
She stared at the photograph and
thaI smile faded. A CLEAN flashed In
to her eyes. I'D like to show her
once!" she said. under her breath.
"She has tried to get him away from
me over and over"
She laid the letter aside and. be-.
gan another. "No doubt she simply
made him do IT, she murmured. "But
that doesn't excuse him at all" She
wrote;
.Dear Mr.. Ferguson: am glad to
I: ind that you have enough good sense
NOT to approach me since an accident
caused me to witness the littls scene
IN the Dawes's conservatory. fancy
you have some explanation as;to why
you kissed Gladys Gaylord, but I
would not be interested in hearing It.
I prefer the very obvious explanation
that you did 1t because you wanted to.
She is perfectly horrid and boasts
of her fiirtations with engaged men,
but suppose that makes no differ
ence to YOU. You are probably proud
sofs being numbered among her vic.
Tins. -
.You needn't tell me you weren't
kissing her. II you were not at the
instant saw you, at least you had
done 30 Just before that, because
there was no other reason for your
face being 30 close to hers. In jus.
tice to you, will listen to any ex.
PLANTATION you care to offer, though
warn you that 1t will make no differ
ence IN my resolution to have moth.
ing more to do with you. Sincerely,
Il. NH"
For long time she stared at tho
photograph. It returned her gaze
candidly. She reread the last two
letters. Then she bit the pen and
thought deeply. Finally she took up
fresh sheet and wrote:
Dear George-If you have any ex-
plantations to make, you may do so.
Please write instead of coming to see
me. Needless to say. ! am very much
amazed and hurt"
is A tear dropped on the paper and
blotted 1t. More tears followed.
II hope" she sobbed, "that I shall
never see him again! And 1t was all
her fault. know! Every bit! ! hate
her, and / h-h-ate him!'
81 There was ring at the telephone.
She stumbled over her gown IN her
aaate to reach Y,