But though
she frankly referred to her approaching marriage, and discussed her
future plans in detail, it was not till the last day that either touched
upon the subject as affecting Jasper.
He had sailed away that morning, bidding her a kind farewell, but
reserving his last look and handclasp for Bertha; and as the two girls
walked back together from the beach, stopping to call on Zeba Osterhaus
and Mrs. Updyke by the way, she could but notice how quiet her friend
seemed, and mentioned it later to Miss Prue, with the bold comment,---
"She will miss Jasper greatly, for, as I understand, they have been
together almost constantly these last two months."
Her hostess knitted a round or two before she answered.
"Well, and I suppose you think that shows conclusively that he never
cared anything for you---but it doesn't. Jasper's as steady and faithful
as the sun, and if you had married him he would have been a loyal
husband to his dying day. But you wouldn't. At least that's my
explanation of matters; I know he went down to Norcross on business, and
came home looking as if he had buried all his friends. He acknowledged
he had seen you, and it didn't take me long to figure out the matter--
and, Sara Olmstead, I will own I was disappointed in you--dreadfully
disappointed! He met Bertha right here at my house--happened in one day
when she was here on an errand--and she said something pleasant about
you.
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