The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-02-21

gossip, you know. SO we talked the
matter over seriously
With the rudeness Of intimacy in.
terrupted her smoothly flowing speech
walt moment, dear; I'm all mixed
up. thought Gerald had gone for
ever! You will have to explain to me
how you managed to have further
talk in the matter"
ooh, I sent him a note," she admit
ted, with a suspicion Of blush. II
didn't want the poor boy to do any
thing desperate, you know"
/ nodded like mandarin. Then,
just to show how extremely well !
understood, added:
"Such as carrying his wounded af-
lection to Beth Ramsey. By the way.
how Is Beth? Pretty as ever?"
"Gone off dreadfullyp' came the fer
vent reply. And then, as IL Beth's beau.
ty was something she did not care to
discuss, she went on hurriedly:
Gerald came, Of course. His face
was like thundercloud, and as for
Newell, was meek and gentle and
sweet and sad all at the same time"
"By every rule of the game heshould
have melted--melted like ice cream In
| August" observed l. POSSIBLY that
was part of your plan when you sent
| the noteW
Nina turned her violet tinted eyes
upon me with look of compassion.
| Nevertheless l knew, and she knew
that knew, and her next words were
nothing more than an explanation.
"You see, I'd forgotten that he had
vowed that he would never ask me
again. But when l saw his face I re-
membered, discovered, too, that he
meant to keep his VOW"
My friend came to a full stop, as one
should on the brink of a tragedy.
"Well, we decided to go on as
friends-or apparently So" she con-
tinued. "All this occurred In the au-
tumn, and things went along monot.
onously until along in February. Feb.
ruary is sort of penitential month,
you know, and Mrs. Clearway wanted
to brighten it up bit. So she hit
upon the splendid idea
nina, Nina What would Nine.
Luce say to your adjective? Think a
moment! Splendidw
She looked at the picture of her hus.
band that stood on table at her side
Then she went on firmly:
"The splendid idea Of picnic party
to Mount Vernon on Washington's
birthday. She said that none Of us
really felt the day enough. SO she
purposed to stir us up bit and max,
us feel the significance Of the greatest
Americans fete day.
at was fine lark. There were
twelve of us, and we drove down.
forgot to say that we went in colonia
dress. Beth Ramsey wore rose col
ored quilted satin pettlcoat and bro
caded overdress."
"She must have been q dream" said
I, casting policy to the wind and
thinking only Of Beth's satiny skin
waving black hair and starlike eyes
weren't the men wild over herT
Gerald did pay her good deal OF
attention." acknowledged Nina grudg
ingly But, of course, he only did Il
to pique me-"
"And that's the reason it didn't dis
turb your" / asked.
For a moment Nina was silent. Their
she brought out her reply with inten
sity.
81 was never so horribly miserable
in my life. l stood it as long as
could. Then, feeling as IL l cOuldn'
keep my chin above water another
moment, / managed to escape from
the others and made my way to tha
little upstairs bedroom that Mrs
Washington always occupied after hel
). husbands death.
Suddenly heard Gerald's voice be
/. hind me. I've been sent to fetch you
Miss Brent he said, and in such
, cold, disagreeable tone! 1 thought h
was In a hurry to get back to Beth.
I Imagine my plight. l was to-
4 choked to open my lips, too wet of ey
to turn around. So / stood motion
less, desolate and wretched as tn
, mother of her country must so oftel
, have been in that very room.
Then Gerald spoke again, an,
, there was ring of Impotence in hi
voice. In desperation nodded m.