The Cairo bulletin., 1911-12-31
Slow Stephan

he was so slow. He even was slow
at rcsenting their fun at his expense.
Like most big persons, Stephan moved
Gonderously and his speech was heavy
and slow. Something IN his mild blue
eyes seemed to question, but that
was ell the notice he took OF the
others taunts. @fa
The reason that he had so little
time to devote to worrying over his
countrymen's opinion Of him was that
Stephan's mind was taken up with
Rosa to the exclusion Of all else lie
had fallen In love instantly with her
rert little smiling face and charming
ways. Rosa darted across the line OF
Stephan's vision and left him gasp.
ing, fguratively speaking. Sometimes
he gasped in reality-that was when
Rosa turned the batteries Of her
quick wit upon him and left his mind
whirling because OF his inability to
reply to one speech before she at
tackled him again. She laughed at
him along with the others, yet she
did not seem displeased at his de-
votion.
Stephan. was good looking, although
this fact had never occurred to him.
He was modest, and allowed himself
to be elbowed out of the way by
others more audacous If less worthy.
Fosa was always surrounded by adj
mirers and Stephan lurked disnally
in the background, patiently waiting
for a glance in his direction. Rosa's
glances came his way at tines
Stella, who was Rosa's most init
mate friend, jeered Rosa for being
fond of her slow admirer.
sWhy do you waste time on ste.
phan?' demaEded Stella. HE is so
big-and so slow! He never dances
+. or anything! He just sits and looks
sat. you!"
Maybe that's it, Rosa answered
with a toss OF her head.
Stella shrugged her shoulders. IL
like some one who is gay, myself"
she said Some one like josef"
frowned. Josef was very attentive to
her. He had sparkling eyes and
little mustache. which he Kept curled
and sharply pointed, and he made
pretty speeches on the spur of the
moment and was very sure of him
self. Rosa fiirted with Josef and led
him on,e but that was merely gir!ish
coquetry, and she shrank from any
thing more. OF late Josef vh7d
wearied her
Stella, watching Rosa, burst out OF
sudden. II suppose you think you'll
catch some one grander than Josef
but let me tell YOU"
Rosa turned on her. "Oh, josef"
she mimicked. why don't you mar
ry him yourself If you think he's so
fine? | would il liked him as much
as you dol"
Stella routed, reereatsd, SCARLET OF
face and vengeful of mind. Rosa. as
II to prove her power, was kinder to
Josef and paraded him before Stella
and the others. Perhaps this unusual
leniency on her part really pleased
him, for he seemed more natural and
sincere. Rosa even thought she had
misjudged him. There seemed more
TO Josef than she had ,surmised-per-
haps he was not such a shallow man
after all.
Before she knew how 1t happened
she found herself engaged to marry
Josef All the other girls envied her
and the excitement of preparing for
the wedding bore her up. Rosa as
sured herself that she was happy.
This usually was after she had caught
glimpse OF Stephan, In the back
ground as usual, looking dumb devo-
ton at her.
Stephan had very sober face these
days. The thought Of him irritated
Rosa strangely. Once when Josef
spoke slightingly of him Rosa had
started to reply furiously, but bit her
lip and was sullenly silent. She knew
Josef would not care for her anger
She had grown to feel that he did
not care deeply for anything.
Stephan had been asked to the we'd
ding, which was at the church at an
early hour, but he was not there.
He'd be late to his own wedding!"
some one laughed. 80 why not at
another's?"
Some one else was missing-tbe
bridegroom. At first there was only
restlessness on the part of those who
were waiting, then came whisperings
and surmisess After an hour a mes
senger was sent and reported that
Josef had not been at home for two
days.
Stephan arrived as they were trying
to cain the hysterical Rosa. desolate
in her wedding finery. 1t was an hour
and a half after the time set for the
wedding. For moment Stephan
looked at the weeping girl and his
hands clinched Then quietly he
walked to her side and, brushing the
others aside, bent over her.
Rosa" he half whispered, look at
melt is Stephan. Forget that wretch
OF Josef! I'll have the papers to
marry you in half an hour If you'll
say yes! You know that love you'll"
Rosa's little hands clutched his
sleeve and she went on his shoulder,
A wonderful happiness was stealing
over her. Tin glad Josef Is not
here!" she whispered.