The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-04-23
/ A Broken Elglle|let| /
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Bertha and her elder sister Ella
were talking 1t over. Bertha, with al
open book in her lap, was rocking her
self In the chair by the window will
suppressed emotion, and Ella was GOV
ering piece Of canvas with streaks Of
very highly colored wool.
II always said,' Bertha remarked al
length. that we shouldn't get on wei
together. / knew this would happen
''And so you have really broken of
your engagement for good2' said Ella
quietly, as she gazed at her work to
see If streak Of bright green and
bright yellow would harmonize with a
similar streak Of lurid blue,
Absolutely said Bertha, firmly. 81
waited till yesterday to give him the
chance to call and apologize, and then
wrote and told him that all was over
between u.s. and that | should return
his presents, and that | 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 | 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 y
Dear dear!' commented Ella as
her sister paused from sheer want Of
breath.
We'll" persisted Bertha, ats his
fault. He began 1t. / shouldn't have
said anything II 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 I1Htter afterwards
I'm glad you said tried" said
Bertha derlsively, TT was all arranged
beforehand. | told him so at the first
opportunity"
"And then he said you had better
come buck home, eh2"
There you are again !" cried Bertha
excitedly, as he turned on her sister
with what she evidently considered
triumphant vlndIcatlon 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 cab be-
fore supper like child In the nurs.
ery?"
Ella shrugged her shoulders and
looked as IL she were considering the
position carefully before committing
herself to a definite reply,
II told him about 1t In the hanson"
pursued Bertha, remorselessly. "And
1t all upset me so couldn't help crying
q little, and that made him worse than
ever. And then he said If kept on
like that he would stop the cab and
send me home alone. | told him II was
the best thing he could do. And so It
was But what annoyed me most was
bis making all that scene before the
cahman. think that WAS mean above
everything. shall never forgive him
for that. The wretched cabman was
listening through the trap-door all the
tane, He must have been, because
when Freddie was paying him the i'm
pudent fellow said 1t was a pity sweet
hearts should fall out. and II 1t was
his young lady he should so back and
Try and make II up again."
And what did Freddie sayY" Ella
inquired curlousy.
Freddie said Bertha, "oh, he
said" She stopped suddenly, and |
there was slightly embarrassing
pause. We'll, can't tell you exactly
what he said, because | didn't under
stand at all, But he said 1t very loud.
~, and there was a great deal Of 1t.
And | shan't forgive him for that dis
graceful scene, either. wonder whether
he'll have the manners to acknowledge
my letter"
"fhen you do want to hear from him
agalng suggested Ella. quietly, as she
looked out OF the corners of her eyes
rlyly,
oh dear, not" retorted Hertha, with
a naughty pout, III he likes to con-
slider my letter the last word to be said
on the subject he's welcome to, for all
! carelr
And she resumed her seat aud re-
opened her hook. which she continued
to read eomplacently for several min
utes. IN spite of the fact that she was
holding Il upside down.
Presently the maid came into the
room with card ON tray. Bertha