The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1907-06-27

MFR. Augustus Sheringham entered
his hanson with much the demeanor
with which an Indifferent sailor might
climb into seasoing ship He bad a
bad half hour before him. and he was
well aware of the fact Having direct
ID his coachman to an address on 5th
avenue. and Strengthened his immacu-
late tie at the strip of looking glass
beside him (this last purely mechan-
ical proceedingt. he leanf forward anu
with fixed. unseeing gaze that seemed
70 scorn the traffic of the city again
surrendered himself 10 the problem
that had been torturing his brain for
hours What ON earth should be say to
her? How could be ever hope to ex-
plain the position in which be found
himselfs
New York was looking its best that
fine June morning In the pale warm
sunlight Central Park glowed gently !;
the merry chorus OF birds blended har-
noniously with the jingle OF buses
and the soft purring OF electric auto
mobiles. 1t was day TO delight the
senses Of one who loved his New York
but half as intensely as did Mr.. Sher-
lngham ON ordinary occasions But TO-
day as had been limited. he cared for
none OF these thlngs-Saw them not,
indeed For almost the first time IN
his forty years OF blameless life Mr.
siieringhan, On that drive TO 9TH ave
nue., neglected TO observe and return
the salutes OF passing acquaintances
He was thinking, too. deeply 10 be con
scious Of anything hut the enc ques-
tion that absorbed him. and which he
did not know how to answer.
Presently ne drew from bis pocket
letter. and fixing his glasses. regarded
the paper with a frownlng eolcentra-
ton that seemed determined to gain
some inspiration from its mere peru
sal. Tie action was. however. an emp
ty one. for he already knew the con
tents Of the letter by heart. had read
and re-read 1t fifty times since II had
surst like bombshell into the midst OF
his placid bachelor breakfast But for
the fffy-hrst time he strove to grappie
wlth the problem that il presented
my Dear Mr. Shering aaEr-Your
note only reached me this morning.
but am obeying your wish and re-
plying to II with as little delay as
possible. Perhaps IL is unnecessary for
me to say how much your proposal has
touched me. Il cannot be otherwise
than natterIng TO woman Of eight
and-thIrty Tiny age.) TO be asked TO
be his wife By a man whom she both
sdnlires and esteezns. But, dea-
friend. while fully sensible of the
worth OF what renounce. you must
forgive me II I say that fear IL can
not be as you wish Some day. per-
haps. ! may try to explain to you my
reasons; TIL then. and always. please
permit me to remain, as before, your
sincere and attached friend
ANNETTE PILKINGTON."
A sufficiently Straightforward and
charming letter, you win admit. for a
woman to send In reply to the propo
sal of any man Why. then. did Mr..
6heringham, whose appearance was
hardly that Of the rejected suitor. feel
apprehensive7 The reason Is simple
He had not written the letter to which
Hrs>xss an answer. Mr.. sherfngham.
In short, had never proposes> to Mrs.
PlIkington. and wxs now faced with
what he conceived TO be an unpleasant
duty OF telling her 50.
He had small doubt as to the mis-
rreant who vas almost certainly the
cause OF his dilerana- Not for nothing
had Mr.. Sheringham been q bachelor
uncle fcr the past twenty years He
remembered with grim satisfaction
bow often he had reproved bis sister
Mary for her absurd Ieniency toward
those unconscionable boys. bow often
b. had predicted that some dag Tom,
now 4 cadet at West Point with his
dangerous capacity for initiating hand
~rrft4nr- would achieve soma serious