Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 215, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1915 — Parting Forever [ARTICLE]

Parting Forever

"Then I suppose there is nothing more to say," said the young man In a most dignified manner, arising from his seat The young woman in the chiffon gown shrugged her shoulders delicately. "Nothing,” she assurd him firmly. —' “I’ll go, then,” he stated. "There Is no object in lingering where I’m not wanted. And you’ve made it very dear that you wouldn’t want me even if I came as a souvenir wrapped up with a box of candy.” “Your remarks were just as final,” •aid the young woman. “There can’t possibly be anything more to be added. Er—good night!” "Good night!” said the young man, moving toward the door. As he reached the hall she spoke. “I don’t want you to think, Arthur,” she said with great kindness, "that I am parting from you in anger; I shall always think of you as a friend!” » “Oh, thank you!” said the young mao, acidly, coming back three steps. “I appreciate that! Only your idea of friendship is a trifle weird! You can’t be very chummy with a person to whom you’ve said things you have have to me!” “We do not need to be chummy,” said the young woman. “Only we can speak and—er —not make it noticeable to the public.” “Oh, I see!” agreed the young man. “Well, good night!” "Good night!” said the young woman evenly. He advanced into the hall and then returned to the door. "I can’t seem to find my hat," he explained. "I just wanted to say, Ethel. that you must not think I shall go through life hating you! I shall always remember you as I first thought of you—a sweet and lovely girl. I shall forget all the later developments which I hope were not your true self. Perhaps I told you my opinion a trifle harshly this evening and I beg your pardon if you feel that I did. I always want to be a gentleman even in an unpleasant situation not of my making.” "You are most kind,” said the young woman. “But if you think you can lay it all off onto me yourte mistaken, Arthur! I " "I never dreamed of doing so!” said the young man, advancing into the room. "I must be going, but I’ve got to stay long enough to defend myself when you make that insinuation! However, you can’t deny you brought up the subject first! You wanted to know why I was lunching with Daisy Kittredge and that started it!" "You started it when you took her to lunch!" declared the young woman. "Don’t let me keep you—it’s still early enough to stop in at Daisy’s!” "I’m just going,” said the young man, turning toward the hall quickly. “Arthur!" she called when he had neared the front door. He came back coldly polite. "I don’t feel right about your leaving tn this frame of mind! We probably will never have another conversation again as long as we live and 1 want you to go away feeling right about It. You might shake hands!” “If you wish,” agreed the young man. He looked about uncertainly. "I can’t find my hat!" he repeated, looking the hall over vaguely. Then he approached her. “I agree with you, Ethel,” he said with great dignity. "We will not be so foolish as to end with a childish quarrel. We are man •nd woman of the world enough to realise that our engagement has just been an episode toward building up our characters and careers. We will not let its ending blight our spirits. Good-by, Ethel!” He held out his hand. "God-by, Arthur!" she said with a sad, yet brilliant little smile, as she put her hand in his. "That is my idea exactly! The world is too full of interesting things—and other men—and girls—for us to take this seriously!” *Tm through!” said the young man cynically. “Giris don’t interest me any more! I hope, though, that you’ll meet some one with whom you can be h-h-happy, Ethel!" “Oh, Arthur!” she quavered as he pressed the hand he held in his emotion, “as though I’d ever be able to care for any one b-but you!” "Ethel!” he said huskily as he folded her In his arms. “That’s just the way I feel about you!” * "Your hat,” sobbed the young woman down his coat collar, "w-w-was on the p-p-piano all the t-t-tlme, Arthur!”