The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-12-26
JACKS
ENGAGEMEN
By FLORENCE HALL0wELL H0YT
tCopyright.)
$50 you're going 10 marry himg"

the bureau in her own room brushing
ont her long. thick hair, aud She con
tinued the slow. regular motion with
1 out pause.
HIM Miss Sarah Dyer looked
keenly at her niece, Interrogation in
! her handsome middle.aged face She
had returned the day before from
I Florida, where she had spent the win
I ter, and had been met with the news
Of Edith's engagement to Jack Dor
man, This was the first opportunity
! she had found to speak to her niece
on the subject
For many reasons the engagement
had been surprise and something Of
a disappointment TO Miss Dyer. Edith
had been brought up under her care,
and she understood her thoroughly.
She also knew Jack Dorman knew
him very well indeed.
We've been engaged only week
said Edith, still calmly brushing, and
Of course it hasn't been announced
yet"
No; You waited for my return, !
suppose Wen, the world win call 1t
good match, and will be profuse with
congratulations Jack Is young, hand
some well-born, we'll OFF. and des-
perately in love with you; while you
are ditto in all except one
Which one, Aunt SARAH"
"You are not at All in love with
him.
Edith started slightly and the brush
paused for an instant, but her flowing
hair hid the sudden rush OF color to
her face.
AS the door closed behind the old
lady, Edith let the brush fall with
sudden, impatient movement and
threw herself into the low chair by
The open fire which her aunt had just
vacated
At half-past seven Jack Dorman ap
peared as usual He had made it a
point since his engagement to call
every evening. He brought Edith a big
bouquet OF La France roses. and
kissed her as he presented it.
Jack Dorman had hosts of friends,
He was big, tender-hearted strong
fellow, who had taken any number OF
prizes for athletic feats during his col
lege days, and who was amiable TO
fault But he wasn't clever He was in
capable Of mean action, innatey
pure-minded and chivaIrous. But he
had no taste for science and had
never read Browning.
Jack simply adored her, thought her
absolutely perfection; was miserable
If she frowned. and raised to the high. |
est pinnacle Of bliss if she smiled He |
had never made any secret OF his |
alteration; In fact, he was rather |
proud of it. He had suffered in silence |
and despair her many snubs, had TAX, |
en- as only just her occasional criti. |
cisms and had steadily refused TO be.
lieye that she could be Indifferent tG |
him. His utter happiness and triumph
when at length she accepted him were
almost ridiculous.
Il suppose you've told your aunt?"
he said. when, after she had expressed
her admiration for the roses. they sat
down in the luxurious parlor.
Before Edith had time TO reply,
there was a ring at the front door bell,
and Jacks face clouded as he heard
a mans voice inquiring for Miss Starr.
That's Everley," he said. Con.
found him. Why can't he call some
where else occasionally? This makes
the second time he's called here in
The last five days"
Ediths greeting Of the newcomer /
betrayed no annoyance. Indeed, it \
struck Jack that she was altogether
too cordial, under the circumstances.
Charles Eyerley was a lawyer, and
hough only 30 years of age had al /
'eady achieved prominence in his pro. {
ession. He was a tall. fne.looking, /
,road-shouldered fellow, with dig ,
lifed presence and most attractive
manners.
Jack always experienced a feeling .
# chagrin and Impotence when in the !
presence of the lawyer, and now. /,
.fter a few words of greeting, he !,
'ANANb hR q piAA Va libAtEld HuS WHICH |
Hiss Dyer had brought from Florida,
nd resigned himself to a dull even
ne. \
What in the mischief were they talk
1g about? Jack wondered. He heard
'dith say she had joined the Society a
Or Psychical Research the previous
ay. and he wondered why she had
OF mentioned it the evening before.
hen they had a long talk. Perhaps e
he thought him not at all Interested
! such matters. Well. she was right
lie thought II all COMPOUNDED rot. and
hat women could find enough to in
crest and amuse them without join
lg crank" clubs. OF course Edith !
-ould give up that sort of thing when y
he was married He would soon talk =
er out of her ridiculous notions. u
Il fear you we're dreadfully bored.
sck.7 Edith said, when Mr.. Everley
adj departed s.
Bored wasn't the name for it," an n
Sered Jack. frankly. 4 believe :
verley Grams for days before coming =
ere"
HE is wonderfully brilliant and =
scinating." reioined Edith. lie | ~
seps up in a marvellous degree with
lie progress of the age. considering N