Middletown transcript., 1907-08-10

he sat and chatted with his best
man of the morrow in the pri 'ate
parlor of q snug little country
hotel. His feet were as near the
mantel as they could reach and
all his talk centered about his
bride.
OF course you'll marry some
day, Sam he had just said in
comment on his best mans
gloomy remark about the scar.
city of suitable brides and the
arduous exercise Of hunting for
them.
We can't all expect your luck,
Jack, Sam Hooker had said. l
am one of life's certain bachelors.
Jack made the room ring with
his mocking laughter.
Oh, it's all very well for you,
my boy, retorted the best man
amiabIy. You've drawn a prize
no one can pick holes in. All the
girls who have taken my fancy
seem to-don't you know ?-to
be just as ready to take up with
one man as another. They re
not what you may call born into
the world to love just only ones
self-er-like Miss Ballard. You
mayn't appreciate the fact, but.
you've secured a unique prize.
/ haven't seen very much of Miss
Ballard, but I've seen enough to
feel pretty positive that youre
all right.
Oh! said Jack Van Brunt,
dropping his feet and turning
upon his friend. You think she
was born into the world for me,
and me only, do you and that
there never could have been any
doubt about it? My dear boy,
you mistake. Why, a year ago,
everyone in Barling believed she
would marry a fellow named
Houghten. They were engaged.
know the secret history of that
abominable business; but-I'm
not going to talk about it. The
rascal's far, far away, I hope.
Sam, you are very young.
Something like three months
older than your aged self, Jack
that's all. But, 'pon my word,
you amaze me. Why didn't you
tell me :?
That about Sybil? Because I
simply didn't choose, old man.
But I tell you what. You're keen
about a wife for yourself, or pre-
tend to be. Well, now, there's
lovely young widow named Tyr
rell-Nancy Tyrrell-at the Bal
lards' for to-morrow's festival.
I've my doubts about her con-
stancy, but none about her beauty.
Just make up to her, there's a
good boy, and marry her out of
the way of my wife. I don't
want Sybil to keep up the ac-
quaintanceship unless, as Mrs.
Sam Hooker, for example, you
can oblige by guaranteeing a |
model married woman.
The best man threw his head |
back and chuckled.
What sublime unselfshness
he exclaimed.
And then there was a knock at |
the door, and the pretty maid of
the hotel presented her smiling
face and small packet.
Hullo! said Jack gaily; still
they come, eh, Bessie ? Thank
you.
He assumed that it was an
other present, until he recognized
Sybil's own writing. Even then
he thought it might be perhaps
something from Sybil's own dear
self.
You may turn your back, Sam,
he said.
III go out, said Sam.
Jack opened a little box, and
discovered first a letter, and be-
heath it-could he believe his
eyes ?-the ring Of diamonds and
rubies which he had given Sybil
ten months ago, her engagement
ring. Chilly with apprehensions
and frowning fiercely, he unfold
ed the letter.
DEAR JAcK: / cannot marry you to-
morrow. Its the most impossible thing
in the world now, aud have no right
even to say that ] am sorry. Do you
remember saying the other evening that
II this we're to happen you would 20 right
off to the other end Of the world? What
a wicked, deceitful girl | felt myself to be
when you said it for, although did not
think then that tlis wcuid happen, l
knew il might. Please, as ,on Are tile
most generous, good fellow know. dol |
just that, and forget ne-furget that !
ever lived. cannot even ask you 70 !,
forgive me, only forget. ard pray you
soon may. Itis no good asking questions,
asking anyone questions, because only /
my self and another can answer tlls NJ, and 8