The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-03-24

cry only with myself. Could there be
anything more pusillanimous than for
man refused to attempt in this
maudlin fashion to excite sympathy in
the girl who had refused him?
"Since this is to be our last meeting
for years, perhaps forever, l ask you
to permit me to do something for you,
a little favor, trifle. wish to remem-
Der 1t In connection with this parting"
what is it?' she asked.
Permit me to take that letter to the
mail for you. l promise you I will
not look at the address,"
"Oh, there's no hurry about posting
it: it will keep"
What could be more self sacrificing
than for me, having received my
quietus from Adele, to post her letter
accepting Wilmarth? 1t would be typ
ical, of course, but lovers like things
typical rather than real.
"Why should there be delayT 1
asked.
She did not notice the question. She
was evidently intent upon the canal
boat, which was now floating out into
the open basin.
Come" l said, why should you
delay posting your letter to Mr.. VIII
marth?"
1t had come out in spite of me- She
turned and brought her big, honest,
surprised eyes to bear on me.
Pardon" | stammered. 81 have no
To WI LOT
Is written"
She looked at me for some moments
without speaking, then said abruptly:
"You may post the letter"
My noble, self sacrificing act, typical
of the greatness of my love for her,
had collapsed. l was now to do the
favor as punishment for thrusting
myself into her private affairs. She
intended to crush me. Taking the let
ter from her belt she handed 1t to me.
There is nothing that better repre-
sents the waywardness of a lover than
a shuttle. At any rate, 1t Is typical of
my action at this time. From con-
templatlng my nobility of soul In
transmitting a favorable answer from
the girl | loved to my rival l saw
myself called upon to do 1t as an act
of penance.
'Ill be jinged If dol" exclaimed
angrily.
A faint smile lowering about Adele's
lips irritated me beyond endurance.
you wish TO remember some favor
you have done me-" she said. Il can't
Of ole ha
should save me the trouble of posting
my letter. 1t will certainly cost you
no extra effort since you have letter
of your own to post"
This was altogether too cold blooded
for me to put up with. l arose and,
bowling formally, said:
II have no concern In your affairs.
l apologize for virtual reopening OF
subject closed by you last evening.
l am going to the office to post my
letter, which decides my going to China.
I may as well say goodby to you now,
By doing so I shall eliminate the risk
of trespassing again on your most sa-
cred emotions
/ dare say l presented tragic APP
pearance delivering myself Of these
words. | certainly intended to be i'm
pressive.
ITO what emotions do you refer?"
she asked.
"To name them would be to offend
again"
"Sit down." she said quietly.
l seated myself with reluctance.
was much dissatisfied with myself
and decided to end n scene that was
becoming uncomfortable.
81 am not sure that l had better
mail this letter." she said.
| made no reply. pricked up my
ears.
by sending it | may spoil a ca
reer."
II did not suppose anything could
spoil the career of so high and mighty
a person."
81 did not suppose you considered
him such"
HE considers himself one of the fu-
ture leaders of the world"
HE has no such opinion of himself.
His worst fault is overmodesty."
"Oh, heavensI / exclaimed, starting
to rise. l was prevented by her lay
ing a hand on mine. With the other
hand she took the letter from her belt
and held 1t so that l could see the
superscription.
II was addressed to me.
Selling 1t, I tore 1t open. 1t was a
retraction of what had been told
the night before
l did not post my letter and did not
go to China. Wilmarth Is Just as
prominent as when he left college and
in just as comparatively small way.
He has not developed These fellows
who promise great deal In youth
are often disappointing. AS for me, l
have succeeded far better than / had
reason to expect. At any rate. have
advanced from what little was, while
my rival has stood still. And every
body knows that to stand still is to
retrograde. | sometimes twit my wife
with having come pretty near marry
ing Wilmarth. whereupon she replies:
81 never thought Of such a thing.
You built the whole affair up in your
own brain without the slightest foun-
dalton on which to place 1t and with
no other material than your own
stupid jealousy"