Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-04-08
suzrned at 1t with a singular eager


on the tray, remarked emphatically:
PLEASE say I'm not at home"
rs that E'reddieT" asked Ella. look
Ing up suddenly and stopping the maid
by gesture. And as her sister replied
with sullen nod, she continued, II
think you'd better see him, dear,
"Oh, I'm not afrnld to see him. II It
comes to thatl" said Bertha, defiantly.
"show Mr.. Markham up, Mary said
Ella, to the maid.
you'll do the explaining dear, won't
your pleaded Bertha, when they were
alone, as she darted to the pier-glass
and criticized herself anxiously. "You
can talk to him, you know. How do /
lookf Tell him that ] have nothing to
add to my letter, and all that. Is my
hair all right? Hush, here he Isl"
Mr.. Markham bowed quietly as he
entered the room with his hat in one
hand and large brown paper parcel In
the other. Bertha, with her foot on the
fender and her arm on the mantelpiece,
acknowledged his bow, with frigld
inclination Of her head, while Ella hur-
ried forward and shook hands cordial
ly, and hoped that Mr.. Markham would
be seated. Then she volunteered the
suggestion that it was a nice day
Mr.. Markham agreed that 1t was n
very nice day, indeed. Then he added
studiously addressing himself to Ella
all the time:
Il have brought a few things with
me which l must ask your sister to let
me return. l thought l ought to call
personally, as I quite understand you
may reasonably expect some apology
from me for sending your sister home
alone on Tuesday, and l beg you
will"
"Oh, it's too late now !" interrupted
Bertha, with rather fierce emphasis.
"Oh, quite understand that" said
Mr.. Markham, still addressing Ella.
"But hope you will believe that am
very sorry about 1t all. If you will
accept my apology, Ter, think that is
all. There is nothing more to be said"
And he rose from his chair.
Nothing said Bertha, looking
fercely into the fire stove.
'Oh, Mr.. Markham, do please excuse
me-" cried Ella, starting up from her
chair suddenly and running to the win
dow "But there's Harry coming down
the lawn, and he's brought me such
lovely bouquet. Bertha. you'll show
Mr. Markham out, won't your? And
she was gone In moment.
The situation had become somewhat
disquieting. Bertha turned rather red
and began to contemplate minutely the
shape of her dainty boot which was
resting on the fender. Mr. Markham
brushed his hat pensively on his elbow,
and seemed to be troubled with slight
cough.
"I-er, l think that is ALL" he said
at length
"Oh, yes" said Bertha, deliberately.
after what has happened 1t is easy
to see that we can be nothing more to
each other"
"Er-yes. l suppose that is so,' said
Mr.. Markham, retlectively, as he con-
tinued to brush his hat with extraor-
dinary diligence.
"And l dare say you're very glad to
be out Of it," said Bertha, sitting a
big sigh of resignation, as she left the
mantelpece and walked to the win
dow.
"Oh no, not at ALL" insisted Mr..
Markham. I'm rather sorry in one
way, you know, because thought"
81 see you've brought back my pres
ents,' she said coldly. But you need
not have bothered, I'm sure. I was go
ing to send yours back tonight. I've
got them all packed up"
"Oh, they don't matter, assure
you" Mr. Markham FASTENED to assure
her.
There was an>awkward pause and
then to relieve the strain he crossed to
lue tdDle anu lHlu Tue DTONu pupti
parcel gingerly on the extreme edge
By that time he had thought Of some
thing to say.
I'm afraid I've tied up rather an
awkward bundle; but l wanted to get
the parcel done up in hurry, because
Jack Kingston surprised me in the mid
die of it. He came In to know If
was going to the Tomlinsons' dance,
and"
Bertha wheeled around suddenly, as
II she had quite forgotten the painful
nature Of the interview.
"Are the Tomlinsons going to give
dance?' she asked eagerly. 81 Won
der who's going. VIII Jessie Hamilton
be there"
Then the sad formality of the oc-
casion dawned upon her, and she sighed
and turned to the window again.
'I--I really don't know" said Mr..
Markhame "I'm not going"
"Oh, pray don't stay away on, my
account" urged Bertha, sarcastically.
81 = er wasn't going to -