El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-27
The Her AIDS
Daily Short Story


do your people know anything
about it?" Sir Richard asked a
length.
Not a word" I answered doleful
ly.
He laughed outright.
Good We're in the same boat"
Really" 1 cried joyously- Then
| what our parents want is"
/ paused for lack of suitable words
Your people don't know about this
Miss"
Trevor" he said. mo, not a word
We'll. then" 1 cried excitedly, why
not invite them both here? You could
manage it all right"
I've a great mind to do as you
suggest" he remarked thoughtfully-
Then I exerted all my persuasive
powers, and ere we landed I had got
sir Richard to promise to invite Jack
Malcolmn and Miss Trevor.
/ Luckily they were both able TO come,
and before the week was out they were
members Of the house party.
! I was awfully glad to meet Jack
portunity that had not made up my
mind yet. He laughed and said he
could afford to wait.
I was very interested in Miss Trevor.
| but could not make up my mind
! whether I liked her or not She was
very pretty and seemed fond of sir
Richard.
Soon the time for my departure drew
near, and with 1t there came decided
hi Cfnolin2 fn TyoO Sta
I had never enjoyed myself so much
before. Sir Richard was a charming
host and was ever so thoughtful
had merely to express a wish and 1t
was granted.
Presently, however, 1 began to no.
tice sundry little idiosyncrasies in con-
nection with Violet Trevor that made
me think she was not good enough for
sir Richard.
She was an awfully nice girl, of
course. but SIR Richard was miles too
good for her. Then another thing oc
Cured which helped to stir up the
tranquility which 1 had experienced
since the arrival of the two new
guests.
What 1 mean is that Jack began to
grow somewhat sulky and reserved.
married since the first week, and !
felt that he was offended.
To tell the truth 1 did not want to
become engaged to Jack yet
Then came the climax. Jack said he
wanted to speak to me in private
felt what was coming and nerved my
self. 1 wondered what 1 was to say
L must try and put him off a little
while longer.
Er-Esther," he began nervously.
YES" I replied demureIy
You know I've often asked Won to
marry me?"
'On several occasions, you have"
was my answer. Now 1t was coming. /
hoped he would not be too passionate.
Well. your uncertainty has led me
to think that we cannot be suited to
one another." he went on slowly, so,
1t will be better not to have any un-
Outstanding between u.s."
I gasped. This was a contingency /
had never dreamed of.
The fact isl he continued, your
continual refusals, and particularly the
last one. have caused me to think very
differently.
''Indeed?' I said calmly. :.
Yes, and-er-Miss Trevor is going
to marry me-" he suddenly blurted
out
OH The ejaculation forced itself
between my lips Had a bombshell ex-
ploded at my feet 1 could not have
been more surprised. At the same time
l did not feel any pain, but a strong
sympathetic feeling for sir Richard
rose up within me.
Poor sir Richard, what would he do
now? But still itswas better as 1T was,
him by long way, 1 believe 1 said
that before
You'll shake hands, won't you?"
Jack said uncertainty
Rather" 1 cried, and we shook Wig
orously, our hands, 1 mean.
You don't seem to mind very
much" he said.
Il expect that will come later" I
and wandered on. feeling so sad
about poor sir Richard 1t made nv
heart quite ache
Halo, Day dreaming?" suddenly
came the voice of the object of nv |
thoughts. bold idea came into INV
mind, L would break the news to him
myself.
Sir Richard" began. In a low voice |
1 have piece of very bad news for !
you"
Bad news?' he repeated. gazing at |
me in surprise.
Yes, about Miss Trevor"
why, what do you mean?"
'-'Er-Miss Trevor and Mr.. Malcolm
nave"
Fixed it up?,- he queried.
That is it," I replied.
Poor little girl" he said, taking
ny hand. was afraid it was COM
ng. I've noticed it for several DAYS.
And You thought about me. whilst Won
are suffering?'
Me suffering?" 1 asked.
fes, you and Mr.. Malcolm WERE
Now it was his turn to pause.
On, L don't mind that In the least"
replied was thinking of you and
Mss Trevor"
Pooh! 1 didn't care like that. YOU
know, i used to think I did"
H m" 1 remarked. 1t was all I could
say under the circumstances.
say. he went on hurriedly, taxi
ng hold of my other hand, I'VE both
eem to have been shunted, can't we
veil, you know"
Somehow or other I did know then.
1 had never known before. so
Just hung my head, and it rested Cd
lis shoulder