Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

26 “ARTHUR. AND I HAVE PARTED !” ‘‘You see,’’ she went on, taking Rose’s hand in both of hers and pressing the fingers convulsively, ‘‘it happened this way: We, Dolly and I, were going toa dinner given by a friend of hers, and Arthur was to take us. Well, about five o’clock I got a note from him, saying he could not go.’’ “But surely that was not so terrible,’’ said Rose, con- _templatively. : | ‘‘No, not the fact itself, but his note—that was the cruel part of it; it was simply beastly.”’ “What did it say?”’ ‘I’ve saved it on purpose to show you. There it is, in the bag; find it for yourself, please. ”’ Rose picked up the satchel Florence had dropped when she came in, opened it, and took out a bit of crumpled let- ter-paper. With many misgivings, she unfolded it and read: ! ‘*DEAR Miss DELMAR:—*‘I regret that I shall not see you this evening, as Iam leaving town to-day. I have written Mrs. Van Note to fill my place at the table if she can, and I trust you and Mrs. French may reach there safely with- out my escort. I fear I shall not be able to call again while you are in New York, but I feel sure you will not miss me. Wishing you all good luck, both present and future, I am, ‘“Yours, etc., ‘ARTHUR LE T. ELDRIDGE. ‘University Club. Tuesday.’’ ‘‘Cool enough, isn’t it, for one who is supposed to adore your”’ suggested Florence, with the shadow of a smile. © ‘‘Now do you believe he ever cares to see me again??’’ ‘Something went wrong,’’ uttered Rose, thoughtfully. ‘*What did you do that might have angered him?’’ ‘Not a blessed thing!’ retorted Florence, disgustedly, Gomicbooks. com