Holbrook argus., 1911-04-18

explanations help him? He tried care less nonchalance. and returned to the matter of the chair
 Angie did not look at him. but in a cool little voice spoke to the sales man. She was somehow dignified and remote-out of reach. T think I will not decide about the chair today" she said Then she turn ed to the door which Jack opened, and turned homeward.
 Jack saw that there would be no tea together, no cozy tete-a-tete. He 1 loundered about for words, and did the clumsiest thing possible
 ''Tessie Burton-I knew her at col lege-'
 one would-judge as much," she replied. Don't you think it's getting colder?" Her polite tone was down 10 about zero. Jack agreed with her Nothing else was left him. He knew he would have to explain pretty quickly and convincingly Tessie had been hopelessly ill-bred, and of course 1t was embarrassing for Angie-he knew that. He would simply make a clean breast of things.
 Angie, dear. let me explain"
 Angie lifted her pretty brows.
 "Explain-what?"
 About Tessie-Miss Burton-she- I-"
 Anything that needs explanation should have been explained before"
 Tt was only a foolish college en- gagement-''
 And you said you had never loved anybody but me-
 'Angie-I haven't That wasn't love, it was a silly-it didn't last long, and-'
 She. interrupted. Being spotless, too young to have been in love before herself, she was merciless.
 If it wasn't love, it was wicked to be engaged to her-a horrid girl like that, too! I knew happiness like mine could not lasti Your engag gements don't seem to last long-doubtless you will be as easily consoled this time as you were the first-or have there been still others?"
 Angie" he said sternly, do you know what you are saying?" You cant mean to" she had drawn off her left glove, and was taking off her ring, which she handed him. She had not, in fact, meant at first to do any thing, but being angry, hurt, nervous from overwoork and waiting, she was hardly herself. But she would not re- lent She would punish him-at any cost tc herself
 "Angie-you know I love you truly this has gone too far"
 Altogether too far!" she assented, turning at the gate You can come in and tell mother it is all over. Tell her I would like to go to Florida for a month-if some one can go with me. As for you-perhaps 'Tessie' will have you back?"
 They were in the hall by this time, and she fled upstairs. She had taken him at disadvantages the street, where he could not forcibly take her into his arms and make her listen to him.
 As for the Aliens, they listened to Jack; then they went up and talked with Angie She simply said it was all over, and she didn't want to hear about 1t, and would not see Jack. Thinking her too young, anyhow, they did the easiest thing postponed the wedding indefinitely because of their daughters health and called the fam fly doctor, who obediently prescribed the southern trip. Then they waited to see what would happen.
 This happened; Angie, sorry for what she did, even while she was do- ing it, worked herself into a fever and was really i'll. Gloom settled over Jack, who sent flowers and letters. him a chance-she brooded over his "untrustworthiness until it became a crime to her, and very real. Folly surely was with her, but she denied l her own heart.
 Jack suddenly did the unexpected. She had grown used to his persist ence, when it ceased without warning. He closed the little cottage, returned what goods would be taken back set tied all bills himself, and sent the house key to Angie by her father. l He 01mSeH WeUU OU HuuIlHS tT1p, 1 fact that the papers chronicled, and which Angie saw. He accepted her decision.
 This came to the girl like a shock She dressed, and in few days came downstairs to sew by the fire. Sud denly she refused to go South at all and kept the family in hot water with her moods. She knew she had been a fool; she wished she were dead. Her young, terrified soul saw a long, un- loved, unloving life before her. He had gone, and she had sent him-and for nothing-absolutely nothing!
 It all ended in a way as simple as 1t began. One raw February twilight Angie chanced to be alone at the fire She heard the bell ring. A queer ter, TOT seized her-was it a telegram |? She actually was expecting any ca louoitv at any moment She hid her