The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-02-17

pense-the largest item-that is really
not necessary you should incur"
what is that. PETE"
"Why, in the matter of furniture"
1.-THE furniture?'
"Yes. l have some very nice furni-
ture that will make us very comforta-
ble''
"You havew
"Yes-that is. If you would act sen.
sibly about using furniture that was
provided
| She was stalled.
| provided hOw?"
1T was bought at time when"-
| "When'-
did l ever tell you that when was
child was engaged to marry
| "What!'
"a man a great deal older than my
self He was old enough to be my "a
| Their"
do you mean to tell me that you
had been engaged before giving your
self to me?"
He had drawn away from her and
was looking at her with cold stare.
Haven't ever mentioned it before p
Mentioned it! No! You told me that
I was the only man you ever loved"
did I?''
"Yes. and now you tell me that you
have been engaged before"
There was an awful pause between
them which Joaquin broke.
what has this to do with the furni-
ture3'' he asked.
''Why. it was provided-provided by
the man to whom
Heavens! What an awful decep-
ton! can never excuse it-never.
never. nevcr!''
He buried his face in his hands.
Joaquin. dear. why do you set so
much store by something that happen
ed ever so long ago. when l was a mere
chit and knew nothing Of lover
Knew nothing of love! Were you
going to marry a man you didn't love-"
81 thought did,"
"How did you find out that you
didn't?"
Here was another stumper. Pepita
did not reply.
"Come! Confess all since you are
about it."
After long silence the rest came
out haltingly.
81 was young and giddy. A man
about my own age attracted me, and
| broke with the other"
"Oh, you really fell in love this
timer"
No answer.
"Well. what became of this second
love AFFAIR."
1T didn't come to anything"
''Why not?"
There was terrible temptation to
lie. but Pepita was good girl and
would not lie even to retain the man
she loved.
HE didn't fancy me-"
Instead of approaching Pepita's hon.
esty Joaquin went off into a passion
ate TRADE about having been deceived
He rose while venting his spleen and.
| with wave of the hand and formal
| bow. said:
"All is over between us!'
Then he swept out of the room.
Pepita was not crushed. She follow
| ed him with her eyes in a sort of won
| der. while within her was breaking a
| revolution as real as that In her lover
| was emotional His unreasonableness
| his injustice. stood out in contrast
| with the generosity of Leandro Ortez.
| who had refused to hold her or to
! blame her when he learned that she
| had given her heart to another. but had
insisted on her keeping all his gifts.
When JOaquin's Outburst had sub
sided it began to dawn upon him that
he had made a fool of himself. He
| passed the next day in indecision and
| in the evening. having repented. went
| to Pepita for a reconciliation He re
ceived word by servant that Senorita
| Sierra was engaged He turned away
| with a cry of anguish.
Senior Ortez had never married. He
| had given his heart to Pepita when
she was little more than child. and
she still held it as a woman.
There is Il celebration in Mexico City
| called the battle Of flowers. When the
| next anniversary of this fete came
| round after Senorita Sierra broke with
| Joaquin Molina she was riding within
| line Of carriages in the Chapultepec
park meeting another line of carriages.
while persons in both lines were pelt-
ing each other with roses. Suddenly
Pepita caught sight of Leandro Orte2
coming. AS he passed he was struck
in the face with rose Looking at
his assailant. he saw Pepita smiling at
him.
Ortez considered the rose and the
| smile a recall. The same evening he
saw Pepita and their engagement was
renewed.
Within short time after the new
engagement the furniture that had
been the means of it's donors recall
was sold and the house in which the
couple began their married life was
provided with an entirely new outfit