The Cairo bulletin., 1908-03-08
COURTING OF RUFINA

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the image OF herself which It's mi
ror revealed.
My eyes are all right" she con
menced. approvingly. MY nose Gel
tainly might be improved, but It
passable. There are girls In this tow
who have much worse ones, yet the
have secured good husbands.
But with all my charms, al
still unmarried, | have just seen tn
last OF my girl friends happily tie
up at the altar, and although ! an
the Oldest OF them all, twenty-five
last October, am still a spinster
Why, | wonder?"
Then she fell into deep study
her chin resting in her hand, while
| she looked into the mirrored face fol
answer. 1t was not that Rufina was
destitute OF admirers. There were
more than one. and there was one II
particular. But quiet Jim Laird
though her favorite, had never
passed from the accepted escort to
the accepted lover
The very next morning Rufna
stood in the parsons study, with the
audacious red hair modestly thrust
out of sight beneath a huge sun
bonnet. The minxater was fooking at
her In quiet aniazement
"Charades, my dear, you wish TO
give for your class entertainment? I
am afraid 1t will be a little too gay
for these quiet people. II does not
seem to blend with the spirit of the
enterprise"
But, Mr.. Benton, think what q
success such an entertainment could
be made Its very novelty would
draw all the town. And we could
send the heather a larger sum in
consequence"
But, my dear" said the minister.
somewhat appeased by this presenta-
ton of the subject, do You not think
the people will refuse TO attend? 1t
will be almost like a theater."
"Oh, no. not at all 1t will be
nothing but tableaux Not a word
will be spoken. There will be nothing
Objectionable, give you my word,
Mr. Benton; and no one is TO take
part outside of my little sunday
school scholars and myself You see
1t Will be perfectly proper"
The minister said no more, bat
gave his consent.
A week later, and the little assem-
bly, room of the church was filled TO
overlooking. AS Ruflna had predict
ed, every one in town was present,
attracted by the announcements OF
what savored OF the real thing in the
way of acting
A little white curtain hung before
an impromptu stage, and at the
stroke of the hour, Rufina, clad in
simple white, stepped before the
audience and announced the pro-
gramme.
Rufina's class of girls carried out
almost all of the evenings entertain
ment in a manner charming and full
of interest to an audience not hyper
critical The last tableau Rufina had |
reserved for herself.
She was clad in virginia. white. a |
veil fell over the shining tresses, and |
and sprays of orange blossoms
her dress and hair.
The man who stood beside her was |
John Chase. the most casual. possi-
bly,, of Rufna's acquaintance, yet
The one most calculated, on account
Of his gallant bearing, to arouse in
Jim Blair's breast the requisite
amount OF jealousy.
This gentleman, seated in the
was looking darkly at the
tabIeau before him. Chase
vas manly and self-possessed, and
showed 10 particular advantage in
lis evening suit as he bent over the
,irl and slipped a golden ring upon
Ter slender third finger
AS the curtain slowly descended.
2ufna cast one swift glance at the
ace OF Jim Blair He was looking,
lot at her, but at his rival, with
of fiercest anger.
The unsuspecting audience, mean
rhile. had grasped the meaning OF
he tableau before them without any
uperhuman effort OF the intellect,
nd proclaimed the picture WED"
II was but a few moments later
hat Rufna, in ordinary street cos
ume, mingled In the departing
hrong. AS she emerged she saw Jim
lair standing, hat In hand, near the
COR, waiting TO take her home, as
sual The look of anger had not
AIDED from HIS face. and Rufina felt
ght OF heart in consequence. His
lack looks forbade speech. and not
word was uttered for some mo-
tents Ruflna waited.
How dared that man stand mp
lere with you to-night?" he said
fter they had reached home.
II don't think quite understand
on. Jim"
"Oh. yes, you do. / ask you how
rat man dared
Pardon me, but may I ask how :
r1 .dare"-she spoke the word with
cry soft emphasis-"to speak to me .
/ that way2"
Have l not the right" he began.
oily. Am I not" then stopped
bruptly.
You will give me the right now.
ufna dear. viii you not7" he went
n more gently. NO man but my