Middletown transcript., 1908-06-27

you, said Ethel. He can't bear
Mr. FitzGerald and he loves me.
Good dog, said Jack enigmat.
ically. Brian and | think alike
on lots Of subjects.
Why don't you like Mr.. Fitz.
Gerald ? asked Ethel.
didn t say I didn' t like him !.
It was the last part of your re-
mark I was referring to-" said
Jack quietly, not even looking at
her, though he noted out of the
corner of his eye the quick flush
that swept across her face.
Now Jack, don't begin! she be-
gan reproachfully; but he inter.
rupted her gravely:
am not going to begin any.
thing, and you needn't worry
for fear I shall make love to you
any more. A man knows when
he's had enough, and you showed
me so plainly the other day that
/ was disagreeable to you, that ]
will not mention thesubiectagain
I'm not going to bore any woman
with my love, and I'm going to
try to forget that I was ever any.
thing but your very good friend
He made her a grand bow, and
smiled at her with his most win.
ming brightness.
Billy once said that Jack (
smile had been known to melt the
heart of the sternest college pro
fessor into giving hundreds
when goose eggs were DUE
Ethel noticed how handsome he
was. Womanlike, she had never
thought much about Jack. He
had always been her adorer, and
he always would be, she sup
posed /; but she suddenly realized
what a help if not even a neces
sity in her daily life this tall,
broad shouldered, handsome
manly fellow had become.
Before she could say anything.
however, Billy came round the
stables whistling gaily. Hello
you two fussing as usual? Well,
cut it out! Ethel, your knight Of
the rueful countenance, Sir Ger.
aid We're De We're de Foolix, is
on the front porch waiting fol-
you. He's full of business and
signing like furnace, and you'd
better go and entertain him. The
matters most asleep listening to
his genealogy. It's surprising
what a care your sisters lovers
are! and Billy sighed ostenta,
tiously and looked at Jack anx'
iously as Ethel walked away, in.
dignant red dying her cheeks.
Ethel greeted FITZGERALD more
pleasantly than usual. She felt
sore at heart over Jacks defec.
ton.
Miss Ethel, said the Anglo.
maniac, I've something of a sur
prise for you. wrote home for
a copy of the family coat of arms,
thinking you might be interested
in it somewhat, and then had a
little facsimile of it made. Ihope
you'll be so kind as to accept it
from me for it is nothing but the
merest trifle.
You're very kind, she said, and
he drew a box from his pocket
and placed it in her hand. With
in was a large gold locket, which
was handsomely enameled in
color, and Ethel's face flushed as
she exclaimed
Oh, MIR. FitzGerald, l cannot
accept anything so handsome as
this You must give it to your
sister, who would prize it espec-
tally. | thank you for the
thought, and am glad to see it.
Let me see, what are the bear
ings ? She studied it thought.
fully. A puzzled look came into
her eyes, and she glanced from
it to his face and then back to
it again.
Where did you say you got
this ? she asked suddenly.
At Tiffany's, he answered.
No, the escutcheon, / mean.
Her voice was sharp.
Oh, that's been in the family
ever since the first Fitz came
over to England with William the
Conqueror in 1865, he said glibly.
Deah me how remarkable!
drawled Billy's voice as he and
Jack came up the steps. Let
me see, as he glanced over his
sisters shoulder. Then he went
into fits of laughter.
What's the matter? demanded
FitzGerald in an aggrieved tone,
and Ethel turned angrily upon
him.
Do you mean to say that that
thing has been in your family for