The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-05-21


is probably writing verses"
my dear Anne" said YEARLY,
"was there single man at the dance
who did not propose to your" l meant
to be sarcastic, but Anne took me
quite seriously.
There were few" she said, who
didn't succumb to my charms. Among
them"-she paused, and little color
crept into her cheeks among them.
Billy. But of course Billy is such
dear old stupid, he would never think
about girls; he is much too big and
nice looking and lazy. / believe II
there had been no red carpet last
night he would have taken off his
dress coat and put it on the pave
ment for us to walk on Billy Is the
sort of man who likes being friends,
but he's much too-too lazy to bother
to make love. Anyhow, he didn't pro-
pose to me-
mo" I said calmly, "he proposed
to me"
l thought for a moment she was
going to scream, her mouth formed
little round o, her eyes big round
o's.
Amanda, you-you snake in the
grass" she said with awful emphasis.
81 thought you were my faithful
friend You aren't you're horrid-
horrid -horrid! Oh, l believe you
knew Billy was the only man ever
loved"
"He has only six hundred year"
said
Eyes, but six hundred year with
man with nice nose is better than
sixty thousand and a man with
snub. Oh, and Billy Is 80 big and
strong-I hate you; my heart Is
broken. shall go into convent this
very minute, or go as hospital
nurse. You win think of me in your
happiness soothing pillows and fever
ed bFows in sickrooms."
"And scrubbing out lockers"
put In; you forget that"
She took no notice, but went on:
"Or shall marry some rich man and
spend my spoiled life In fever Of
gayety. Oh, you will see me dancing
and. laughing, and all the time shall
be without a heart-no, with broken
heart, l mean"
"But you we're going into CON
vent" l limited, "oe a hospital"
yes; you would love to think OF
me having no fun, you selfish thing,
but l will, | will I'll have heaps. Of
diamonds and cut you dead, you-and
and Billy-wherever we meet.
She was very flushed. and there
were tears in her eyes; for all her
nonsense and wild talking l could Sc
she was really hurt
Anne" / said coaxingly.
She sprang from the bed and
stamped her foot. "I do hate you,
and I'll tell you frankly that Billy and
have f1irted outrageously.
I smiled calmly.
She thrust her rosy face near mine
Aren't you Jealous, you horrid
thing?' she said. 81 could shake you
sitting there smiling at me like
Patience on a monument, only you
needn't think I'm 'Grief-Im not
/ don't care a-a-damn!"
Anne! 4"
Well l don't"
''You said just now your heart was
broken"
She laughed and began to waltz
airily round and round the room, with
her plaits flying out Enthusiastically and
her kimono floating behind her. Il
don't care Is la la, ira la Ia" she
sang, and then suddenly she stopped
her mad dance and came up to the
foot of the bed, covered her face in
her hands, and began to sob.
scrambled to the bottom of the bed
hastily, and put my arms around her,
but she shook me on.
Don't cry, Sissie," said; don't
don'ti l only wasted to make sure
you like Billy. oh, Anne, he's too
good sort to play with"
Her sobs ceased. but she still kept
her face hidden.
Dear, he did propose to me but
It was for YOU
Dead silence.
HE has loved you very long
time, Anne, and never told you so
because he couldn't bear the idea of
your saying No And you would have
said No. Anne. just to tease. wouldn't
your"
Still silence.
"And so / promised Billy last night
while you were dancing with Mr.
Hicks and Lord St Marie and the
other man, promised Billy would
find out If you really and truly cared
1t must be the real thing for Billy,
you know she looked up quickly
with wet eyes and now know
1t is the real thing you do care you
She slipped her arms round my
neck and leaned her hot face against
mine.
Eyes" she said. I'll do care
honor bright"
Billy is coming to luncheon to-