The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-01-08
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News to Him
20

1t was difficult situation. To be
sure, Marcella had not actually fiirted
with Ackley Henderson-she refused
to include the verb in her well-bred
vocabulary-but then
Men are so queer-so apt to think
that one means things when really
one is actuated only by ordinary
courtesy and the gayety of the mo-
ment and cheerfulness toward the
world in general. When man calls
very regularly is that any reason why
girl should consider him in love
with her? 1t would be abominable
conceit, Marcella assured herself in
dignantly, as she twisted rp her hair.
Why, dozens of men had called on
her in the last five years, and only
three or four had asked her to marry
them. Each of these men seemed
surprised when she refused. There
fore, why should she worry for fear
Ackley Henderson would take it bad
ly and think himself ill-treated when
he learned she was engaged to an
Eastern man? The wedding was set
for June, and Marcella felt that she
must break the news. She told her.
self that she would do it that very
evening, and was surprised to find
herself turning to ice at the thought.
She stared at her own face sternly
In the glass. 1t was not that she had
a lingering fear lest she cared for
Ackley-not a bit of it, The man
down East had all her heart, but she
did like Ackley immensely in a
friendly fashio-. and dreaded his dis
pleasure. Just why should she think
he cared for her? She demanded a
reply as she fiercely searched for an
other shell hairpin. He had never
said anything; but then, words were
not always necessary. Only a week
ago, when she had been playing at
the piano, on turning suddenly she
had caught his gaze fixed on her with
such open tenderness that the blood
had rushed to her face. He had car
ried it off we'll by asking in the next
breath some irrelevant question, but
1t had started her to thinking.
Really it was too bad of Ackley.
He was such a reserved, odd person
that one never could tell what he was
going to do next. He never con-
fided in his friends, though appar-
emily he was free and open.
She searched her memory sharply.
Had she ever given him the slightest
right to fancy she was especially at
tracted by him? OF course, she had
been interested in his yachts and his
theories on the proper way how to
drive a horse, and his favorite books,
but that was only what ordinary po-
liteness called for. If one did not
talk to man about the things in
which he was interested what on
earth would become of conversation?
Marcella iabbed in the last pin and
Strengthened her side combs and Just
then the bell rang. Heaving long
sigh, she went down to greet Ackley
Henderson. He was so particularly
happy and cheerful tonight that it
made her task doubly hard. How
should She begin? She could not
plunge into the subject abruptly---she
wanted to glide into it gracefully and
by degrees-but somehow she could
not manage the conversation. And
all the while Ackley sat beaming
5oyously at her.
Marcella shivered. She wished she
could remember few times when
she had been rude to him-the mem
ory would brace her up-but there
was nothing but unreInitting and
gracious kindness on her part in the
hateful past. She wondered if he
would tell her what he thought of
her when she told him of her en-
gagement, or whether he would lake
it quietly and brood over it. She
didn't know which would be worse.
She chartered fiuently on every
thing under the sun, but at last talk
ran slow. Silence fell. Marcella felt
it was now or neve,. She leaned
forward and fingered the paper cutter
lying at her hand and spoke in 4
low voice. She did not look at him.
"I'm going to tell you something,
ACkley, sne Sdlu. one cOulu Ieel
that he was all attention instantly.
"I-perhaps l should have told YOU
told people some time ago, but L
well, / didn't. I-you've met Bob
Van Puyster of New York? I'm goz
ing to marry him in June" She
ended with a rush.
After an instant she raised her
eyes bravely to meet his stricken
face. Then sac stared in blank
amazement, for Ackley Henderson
was smiling surprisedly, delightedly:
"Why, l am greatly pleased he
cried heartily. "De Puyster is a fine
chap. I'm glad to hear it. And
might as well tell you there's a girl
down in st. Louis that is going to be
Mrs. Henderson next fall--and your
profile and hers are identical. Every
time / look at you I'm reminded Of
her. though. of course. you're moi