Mexico Missouri message., 1909-09-30
CHAPTER IV.-contInued.

luen you won C-yOu won t-On,
will you" she cried chaotically
Il won't" declared. Its all right.
Why, Barbara, bless you, you knew
that, didn't your"
She nodded slowly. "Of course
there never was-oh, why do you
make me say such things?-there
never was anything-anything be-
tween us, Mr.. Twining. You don't
care for me, really, am sure. YOU
never told me so, and"
mo, never told you So" re-
peated. Il was waiting"
Don't" she begged. But, you see,
didn't know. And, oh, it couldn't
have"
l stopped and touched her hair with
my lips.
Never mind" said I; tell me about
who has been to see you. want to
know everything, you know"
She lifted me a grateful glance.
Mrs. Tyson Potter was here" she
said. and a new, singing smile
touched her lips. "She came to say
pleasantly unpleasant things. She told
me quite frankly that it was wise
thing for poor girl like me to marry
rich. You wouldn't
II am not Mrs. Tyson Potter. The
old heathen!"
Barbara flashed me a smile.
But it's rather the natural thing
for people to say of such an engage
ment," she protested a moment later.
you know it is"
Nonsense! 1t isn't. And what do
you care what they say? Was there
ever betrothal that was not the sig.
nal-gun for perfect volley of silly
chatter"
She smoothed a crumpled frill of
lace.
Miss Winstanley has not been
here" she said significantly.
shes not in town. She left the
day before your engagement was an
nounced. Didn't you know"
mo. oh, I'm SO glad. thought
she disapDroved. And I'm so very
fond of her I couldn't bear"
Nothing of the sort. She'll write
you the minute she hears, of course.
She has gone off somewhere with a
sick friend and probably hasn't heard
the news yet"
How comforting you are! It's such
a relief to hear It. couldn't bear to
feel estranged from her The bishop
was very kind. He sent me those
beautiful roses there"
"Where?" questioned I eagerly.
There on the table Wasn't It odd
he should have chosen Soleil dor
beauties? Why, where are they?" she
asked, as she turned to look at them,
and SO to avoid looking at me.
They are in the south drawing
room" replied gravely; "I'n go and
get them"
caught the gllmmer in her eyes as
i passed her.
When I came back she was stoop-
ing so / could not see her face. but
she spoke softly, 81 have asked Mr..
Ankony always to send me the paler
roses"
1t was the point beyond which
could not keep my head, nor my lips.
Barbara" cried out foolishly..
You know how l dislike remind.
ers," she said quietly. "And ours has
been pleasant-friendship.
had got hold of myself again.
What did the bishop write your"
asked.
oh, a charming little note. He said
the most beautiful things In it."
1T Is part of his mission--to say
beautiful things"
And how well he fills It! He is
such a dear"
so Mrs. Ankony says" / remarked.
Mrs. Ankony?"
Mrs. Jack-whep he rides in the
park with Miss Streeter."
oh and she smiled politely. How
many women smile politely when
their husbands relatives are men.
toned!
ooh, perhaps you don't like her Is
that it?"
Il suppose you win go to the Cana.
diaE Rockies for your bridal trIp?" /
suggested presently.
mo, mol" she cried sharply.
You always said You would like
that, you know"
itT haua ohnua,.l 49,, ,,st.l