Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-03-26
A Broken ElQQQen9lI|
M NJ NJ NJ VI 49, 80 >. 7
8 1sSSfEeStssto,teS



Bertha and her elder sister Ella
Eern talking 1t over. Bertha. with an
optl book in her lap. was rocking her
SELF fin the chair by the window with
suppressed emotion, and Ella was COW
ering Il piece of canvas with Strcaks or
very highly colored wool.
II always said.' Bertha remarked at
length, that we shouldn't get on we'll
together. l knew this would happen
And so you have really broken off
your engagement for good said Ella
quietly, as she gaZed at her work to
see if a streak of bright green aud
bright yellow would harmonize with a
similar streak Of lurid blue.
"Absolutely.' said Bertha, firmly Il
Waited till yesterday to give him the
chance to call and apologize. and then
wrote and told him that all was over
between us, and that | should return
his presents, and that ! didn't want to
see him again. And" she added, rock
ing herself furiously with the excite
ment of the recollection. I'm very glad
l did, because l was bile to get my
letter Off first, and to show him that l
can be as independent as he is. and l
always said we should never suit each
othe-, and don't care for him Il bit
low, and he's q horrid, hateful thing! !"
Dear, DEAR commented Ella, as
her sister paused from sheer want Of
breath.
WELL" persisted Bertha, ITS his
fault. He began 1t. | shouldn't have
said anything If he hadn't danced with
that Jessie Hamilton twice running.
Ie couldn't dance with me all the even
iE.g, / know, but he needn't nave gone
ont of his way to dance-With her a sec
end time when he knew my name was
an his program"
but perhaps he made a mistake,
srar. You told me he tried to explain
the natter afterwards"
I'm glad you said 'tried.'" said
Bertha derisively. 1T was Il arranged
beforehand. l told him SO at the first
opportunity
"And then he said you had better
come back home, eh?"
"There you are again !" cried Bertha
sXcitedly, as he turned Oh her sister
with what she evidently considered a
triumphant vindication of her rights.
Fancy wanting to come away in the
middle Of the evening, just as the real
fun was commencing! Would you have
your evening broken up just out Of
spite, and be taken home in a cab be-
fore supper like a child In the nurs-
cry?"
Ella shrugged her shoulders and
looked as If she were considering the
position carefully before committing
herself to a definite reply.
Il old him about it in the hansom,"
pursued Bertha, remorselessly. "And
1t all upset me so l couldn't help crying
a little, and that made him worse thar
ever. And then he said If l kept on
like that he would stop the cab and
send me home alone. | told him it was
The best thing he could do. And 50 1t
was. But what annoyed me most was
bis making all that scene before the
cabman. l think that was mean above
everything. | shall never forgive him
for that. Tn wretched cabman was
listening through the trap-door all the
time. He must have been, because
when Freddie was paying him the i'm
pudent fellow said it was a pity sweet
hearts should fall out, and If it was
his young lady he should go back and
try and make it up again"
"And what did Freddie say" Ella
inquired curiously.
HI'rnII;ns said porthp aoI, 1o
said" She stopped suddenly, and
there was a slightly embarrassing
pause. well, I can't tell you exactly
what he said, because I didn't under
stand at all. But he said it very loud
ly, and there was a great deal of 1t.
And shan't forgive him for that dis
graceful scene, either. l wonder whether
he'll have the banners to acknowledge
my letter.
"rhen you do want to hear from him
again:" suggested Ella. quietly, as she
looked out Of the corners Of her eyes
siyly.
ooh, dear. no! !" retorted Bertha, with
a naughty pout. eff he likes to con-
slider my letter the last word to be said
OH the subject, he's welcome to, for all
l care"
And she resumed her seat and re-
cpened her book. which she continued
to read cOmplacently for several min
utes, In spite of the fact that she was
holding ii upside down.
Presently the maid came into the
room with q card or a tray. Bertha
snatched at it with a singular eager
ness and then tossing it carelessly back
en- the tray, remarked emphatically:
please say I'm not at home"
"Is that E'reddie?' asked Ella. look
ing up suddenly and stopping the maid,
by a, gesture. And as her sister replied
with a sullen nod. she continued, Il
think you'd better see him. dear
"Oh. I'm not afraid to see him, If it
comes to that" said Bertha, defiantly.
"Show Mr.. Markham up, Mary" said
Ella. to the maid.
you'll do the explaining, dear, won't
you?" pleaded Bertha, when they were
alone. as she darted to the ~pier-glass
and criticized herself ~anxiously. you