Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-03-26

can talk to him, you know. HtE 40 |
look? Tell him that ] have nothing to
add to my letter, and all that. Is my
hair al right? Hush, here lie is"
Mr.. Markham bowed quietly as he
entered the room with his hat In one
hand and Il large brown paper parcel in
the other. Bertha, with her foot on the
fender and her arm on the mantelpiece,
acknowledged his bow, with a frigid
inclination of her head, while Ella hur-
ried forward and shook hands cordial
ly, and hoped that Mr.. Markham wGuld
be seated. Then she volunteered the
suggestion that it was a nice day.
Mr.. Markham agreed that it was n
very nice day. indeed. Then he added,
studiously addressing himself to Ella
| all the time:
II have brought n few things with
me which | must ask your sister toilet
| me return. | thought | Ought to call
personally, as | 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 la,e 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. II you will
accept my apology, Ter. I think that is
all. There is nothing more to be said
And he rose from his chair.
"Nothing,' said Bertha, looking
flercely 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 a
lovely bouquet. Bertha. you'll show
Mr.. Markham out, won't your And
she was gone In a 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 pcnsively on his elbow,
and seemed to be troubled with a slight
cough.
Ter, think that is ALL" he said
at length.
oh, yes" snid 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. refiectively, as he con
tinued to brush his hat with eXtraor-
binary 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
mantelpiece and walked to the will
dow.
"Oh no, not at all insisted MI.
Markham. I'm rather sorry in n
way, you know, because l thought
81 see you've brought back my pres
ents." she said coldly. But you need
not have bothered, I'm sure. l was 60
ing to send yours back tonight. I've
got them all packed up
ooh, they don't matter, l assure
YOU" Mr.. Markham fastened to assure
her.
Their was an awkward pause, and
then to relieve the strain he crossed to
the table and laid the brown paper
parcel gingerly on the extreme edge.
BY hat time he had thought of some.
thing to say.
"I'm afraid I've tied up rather an
awkward bundle: but I wanted to get
the parcel done up in a hurry, because
Jack Kingston surprised me in the mid
die Of it. He came in to know If I
was going to the Tomlinsons' dance,
nnd-'
Bertha wheeled around suddenly, rs
II she had quite forgotten the painful
nature of the interview.
Are the Tomlinsons going to give
a dancer" she asked eagerly. 81 Won
der who's going. VIII Jessie Hamilton
be there?"
casion dawned upon her, and she sighed
and turned to the window again.
Il really don't know" said Mr..
Markham. I'm not going"
"Oh, pray don't stay away on my
account urged Bertha. sarcastically.
Il - err - wasn't going to - 1
mean-'
THANK 0 for the compliment" she
said ironically, bowling at the same
time with mock emphasis.
Il mean-I haven't been asked to
CO." stammered Mr.. Markham, wiping
his forehead with his handkerchief.
ooh, | beg your pardon" said
Bertha. coldly.
There was another pause. Bertha
guzed dlsconsolately out Of the window,
while Mr.. Markham, in order to break
the intolerable silence, desperately cut
the string of his parcel and spread the
contents out on the table. Bertha,
hearing the noise, turned, and coming
nearer the table, watched the proceed
ing with a badly-affected Indifference.
II think you'll find they're all there"
said Mr.. Markham, indicating the pres
ents." There's the smoking cap you
worked for me. In afraid it has been
used rather roughly, but, you see, I
had it all ready to pack up yesterday,
when my little fox terrier got hold OF
it and began eating the braid. n as l
was getting 1t away from him we
| pulled the tassel off between us. There
was nobody else in the way Just then,
so l had to sew it on again myself,
and" .-
Bertha lost her, head completely for
the moment. She burst out laughing
as she snatched the cap out Of his