Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-07-30

rising diplomat, talked even better
rising diploma talked even better
| than usual, because he was anxious
to please Miss Beresford. Ethel Mat.
| theWs, who was accustomed to de
mand and receive admiration with a
GOODNESS that is characteristic of the
latter day young woman, accepted
Mr.. Homes attempts to be generally
gracious and they were quite friendly
by the time they arrived at the gal
Ieries.
Mary Beresford, watching the prog
ress of the little romance with a thrill
at her heart that was half pleasant
and yet had a touch of odd sadness
in it, decided to see the thing
through; and later, she invited both
Ethel and Mr. Home to dine with her
the following week and do a play.
1t was nice and civil of Mr.. Home
she thought, 10 manage a call on her
in between the two festivities, and
she received him with gracious cordi-
ality.
They drifted into talk about them
selves, and she learned many inter
esting things concerning him, so that
they seemed like old and intimate
friends when they parted.
The theater party promised well at
the commencement, for the fourth
man was a steady going, middle aged
widOwer with pronounced views, and
Mary mon0poIized him in order to
give the romance freedom to develop
itself
Yet presently it seemed as if some
thing had gone wrong. Ethel Mat
thews was dis inctly initiating the
widower in the early stages Of the
art of Irritation, while Lawrence
piQued, no doubt-betrayed a desire
to take refuge from her neglect with
Mary.
1t ressed Mary greatly. She
was surprised to find that she was
full Of indignant sympathy with Law
rence-for, after all love disappoint-
ments are usual occurrences; and
that she was actually taking a dislike
% Ethel because that tickle young
person had deserted Mr.. Home for
the widOwer.
1T is charming Of you to take it so
well she murmured to Lawrence,
when he begged the privilege of driv-
ing home with her; but, of course,
you must not let it become a real
quarrel You must insist on seeing
Miss Matthews to her home"
His face fell.
But she has already arranged he
said, that our honorable and worthy
friend should be her escort. I should
not like to intervene"
And a moment later Miss Matthews
settled the point herself by departing
with the widower and taking a brief
and chilly farewell of Mr.. Home.
As Mary drove towards home she
was trying to think of appropriate
words wherewith to console this
bHghted lover; but she found it so
difficult that when they reached the
fiat she SAID ching and could only
.eudeayor to convey her sympathy by
Ia lingering hand clasp.
May nJt come in for a moment?
he said. Il have something import,
ant to say to you"
Poor fellow" she reflected. He
is wrethced, and and may be going to
do something desperate. I must per,
Suade him to be calm"
SO she gave a gracious assent
Il have been looking forward to
this evening more than can say,
Lawrence began. 'WiII it bore you
if I refer to my romance
She turned TO him with tears OF
earnestness shining in her eyes.
of course it will not bore me,
she assured him. Il cannot express
to you how sorry I feel, how sincerely
sympathize with you. But I think
that Miss Matthew'S"
He Interrupted her by taking hel
hand
Need we talk about Miss Mat
thews?" he said, while the smile and
the twinkle in his eye transformed
his face. 1T is such absolute waste
Of time. 7 would so much rather tall
about you, Mary"
! She was so astonished thai for {
moment she could not speak, and ht
drew her a little nearer to him b!
the passive hand he held.
! = cannot wait any longer" ht
said I nearly told you that I loved
you that first day on Mrs. Dunstan':
balcony, but I did not venture 10 70,
fear Of being banished and losing m!
chance 1t has seemed an eternit!
since then, and TO tell the truth,
was getting so bored with Miss Mat
thews that I am afraid I showed II
Mary. I have loved you from the frs
moment that saw you. Don't SEM
line away"
But" she faltered 1T cant be true
It must be a mistake. You told m,
="
q told you the truth" he said, ant
captured the other hand. And you
with your delightful lack Of egotism
decided that my ideal must be Mis-
J Matthews. MarT-Nary-hov coult