Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-04-08


BERTHA and her elder sister Ella
Il were talking 1t over. Bertha, with AN
open book in her lap, was rocking her
4 self in the chair by the window with
suppressed emotion, and Ella was COW
1 ering piece of canvas with streaks Of
| very highly colored wool.
"I always said,v Bertha remarked at
I length. "that we shouldn't get on well
together | knew this would happen"
"And so you have really broken off
your engagement for good?" seid Ella,
quietly. as she gazed at her work to
/ see If a streak of bright green and
. bright yellow would harmonize with n
! similar streak Of lurid blue.
Absolutely" said Bertha, firmly. "I
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 l should return
his presents, and that l didn't want to
see him again. And" she added, rock
ing herself furlously with the excite
ment Of the recollection, "I'm very glad
did, because l was able to get my
letter Off first, and to show him that l
can be as independent as he Is, and
always said we should never suit each
othe", and / don't care for him bit
now, and he's horrid, hateful thing"
Dear, dear"' commented Ella, as
her sister paused from sheer want Of
breath.
Well" persisted Bertha, ''it's his
fault, He began 1t. l shouldn't have
said anything If he hadn't danced with
that Jessie Hamilton twice running.
He couldn't dance with me all the even
Ing, | know, but he needn't have gone
out Of his way to dance with her a sec
ond time when he knew my name was
on his program"
But perhaps he made mistake,
dear. You told me he tried to explain
the natter afterwards"
I'm glad you said tried" said
Bertha derisively. 1T was all arranged
beforehand. | told him so at the first
opportunity"
And then he said you had better
come back home, chr
There you are again!" cried Bertha
excitedly, as he turned on 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
lun was commencing! Would you have
your evening broken up just out of
spite, and be taken home In cab be-
lore supper like child In the nurs-
cry?"
Ella shrugged her shoulders and
looked as If she were considering the
position carefully before committing
herself to definite reply.
i told him about 1t in the hansom,'
pursued Bertha, remorselessly. "And
II all upset me so couldn't help crying
little, and that made him worse than
ever And then he said If l kept on
ike that he would stop the cab and
SEND me home alone. told him 1t was
the best thing he could do. And so ii
was! But what annoyed me most was
pis making all that scene before the
caOinan / think that was mean above
everything. shall never forgive him
Ior that. The wretched cabman was
listening through the trap-door all the
TIME He must have been, because
when Freddie was paying him the i'm
ruuent Fellow said 1t was a pity sweet
Iearts should fall out, and If 1t was
ms young lady he should go back and
"y ana make 1t up again"
And what did Freddie sayY Ella
inquired curiously.
Freddie" said Bertha, "oh, he
saiu-" She stopped suddenly, and
'nere was slightly embarrassing
pause We'll, can't tell you exactly
"nat he said, because | didn't under
S''eiu at all. But he said 1t very loud
~ and there was great deal of it
ana | shan't forgive him for that dis
graceful scene, either. / wonder whether
ne II have the manners to acknowledge
my letter."
men you do want to hear from hin
SsalnT suggested Ella. quietly. as she
iooked out of the corners of her eye.
slyly.
On dear. mol" retorted Bertha. with
naughty pout. IF he likes to con
slder my letter the last word to be sale
1h the subject, he's welcome to, for al
l carel"
ana she resumed her seat and re
opened her book, which she continued
70 read complacently for several min
u'es, In spite Of the fact that she wal
holding it upside down.
PRESENTLY the maid came into th'
room with a card on tray. Berthi