The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1907-11-15
JACKS
Els sax J.sAV
BY FLGG-HcE %HaLL0WELL EoyT
(Copyright.)
So you're going to marry him.

so you're going to marry him.
Il suppose so; were engaged
There was no enthusiasm in Edith
Starts voice. She was standing before
the bureau in her own room, brushing
out her long, thick hair, and she con-
tinued the slow. regular motion with
out a pause.
HIN" Miss Sarah Dyer looked
keenly at her niece, interrogation in
her handsome middle-aged face. She
had returned the day before. from
Florida, where she had spent the win
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 a 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 a week."
said Edith, still calmly brushing, and
of course 1t hasn't been announced
yet"
mo; you waited for my return, ]
Well. the world will call IT
a good match, and will be p~rofuse W. q.
congratulations. Jack is young, hand
some, well-born, well on, 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 a
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 q
point since his engagement to call
every evening. He brought Edith . big
bouquet Of La France roses, and
kissed her as he presented 1t.
Jack Dorman had hosts Of friends.
He was q big. tender-hearted. strong
fellow, who had taken any number OF
prizes for athletic feats during his col.
lege days, and who al amiable to a
fault. But he wasn't clever. He was in
capable Of a mean action, innately
pure-minded and chivalrous. But he
had no taste for science and had
never read Browning.
Jack simply adored her. thought her
absolutely perfection; was miserable
II she frowned. and raised to the high
est pinnacle Of bliss II she smiled. He
had made any secret Of his
alteration: in fact. he was rather
proud OF 1t. lie 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
lieve that she could be indifferent to
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 sal
down in the luxurious parlor.
Before Edith had time to reply
there a 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 Gays"
Edith's greeting Of the newcomer
betrayed no annoyance. Indeed. 1t
struck Jack that she was altogether
too cordial. under the circumstances
Charles Everley vas a lawyer. and
though only 30 years of age. had al
ready achieved prominence in his pro
fessicn. He vas a tall, ~fine-looking
broad-shou!dered fellow. with a dig
niied presence and most attractive
manners.
Jack always experienced a feeling
Of chagrin and impotence when in the
presence Of the lawyer. and now
after a few words of greeting. he
picked up a pile of photographs which
Miss Dyer had brought from Florida
and resigned himself to a dull even
ing.
What in the mischief were they talk
ing about? Jack wondered. He heard
Edith say she had Joined the Society
for Psychical Research the previous
day, and he wondered why she had
not mentioned 1t the evening before
when they had a long talk. Perhaps
she thought him not at all interested
in such matters. Well, she was right
He thought it all confounded rot. and
that women could ind enough to in
terest and amuse them without join
ing crank" clubs. OF course Edith
would give up that sort q thing when
she was married 4. He would soon tall
her out of her ridiculous notions.
II fear you were dreadfully bored
Jack" Edith said, when Mr. Uysgjey