North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-01-31

|
Miller felt his selfcontrol giving way be-
meath her grateful look, and raising her
hand to his lips, he turned away abruptly
So he vanished from Annals life, though
not from her memory.
Lawrence of course, (such is the selfish
ness of mankind was very happy at the
turn affairs had taken. But there was one
little awkwardness in his way which he
hardly knew how to dispose Of. His at
tentions TO Alice Walsh, as he had assured
Anna had been dictated only by reasons
connected with the latter, and, in thought,
he had been true to her, while false in his
appearance. But he was conscious that in
order to effect his purpose, he had not scru-
pied to say apd do-many things which SEEM
slight enough at that moment, but upon re-
Election loomed into al arming importance.
lie could not see his way clear. An alb
rupt withdrawal of attention, which he felt
had gone far enough to Justify her in ex-
pecting more, would be unkind and un-
gentlemanly yet, of course, to continue
them now was out of the question. Worst
of all would be any attempt at explanation,
for that would imply that she had attached
to their friendship a value which it had.pe
haps, never possessed in her eyes. But
Alice, herself, very unexpectedly delivered
him from the difficulties in which his own
unjustifiable conduct had involved him.
In the midst of conversation with her.
Laurence, meditating upon the embarass-
ments of his position, was becoming very
improperly absent-minded, when Alice
broke in upon his reflections in a most
startling manner.
"Mr. Denvers," she said, 81 know YOU
are dying to tell me something! What
would you i've to have me guess it, and
save you the awkwardnesss of speaking
Well, then, listen. Having quarrelled with
Miss Holland you devoted yourself to me
with the praiseworthy intention of making
her Jealous, but the quarrel being now Set
tied, of course you intend to desert me.
though,with your usual thoughtfulness,you
hesitate to inform me oft. 1 suppose you
are afraid OF scene, or blighted hopes, or
something of that sort; but pray don't
trouble your kind heart on my account
You are quite welcome to any assistance
have been able to give; as for the rest
how do you like this face ?" Unclaspinp
from chain about her neck locket' con-
tanning the picture of reckless, handsome
youth, she added as he held it out to her
comprehensive have been engaged for
some time, but it is rather recret."
Laurence had listened, open-eyed, and
almost open mouthed, with astonishment, to
the words of Alice, spoken in her usual
careless languid manner, but at the conclu-
sion OF her speech his face changed. $50"
he said, as he returned the picture, "you
have been engaged allsthe time you were
tirting'-(here sudden recollection Of
his own share in the transaction prevented
his flushing the sentence as he had intend
flirting with me-"
"Oh, yes !" said Alice, cooly answering
the unspoken words, as she clasped the
locket. erred and understood each 9th.
er very well. Since we can't be together,
we both agree to amuse ourselves as well
as possible apart. He writes me very en-.
tertaining accounts Of all his 1irtations."
she added, in the most matter-offact tone.
Laurence colored slightly. "And you,of
course, return his kindness in the same
way he said. at is new view to take
of the case, certainly, but am happy to
have afforded an additional spice to your
letters, Miss Alice, little as they would be
supposed to need one."
"Remember, haven't admitted vour
charged? she said laughingly, as she left
MIN. She knew very well, in her heart of
hearts, ,tlat her Irritation with Laurence had
very nearly passed the limit of joke with
Fred.
As for Laurence himself-"What little
tiirt had been his mental soliloquy, as he
gazed after her retreating figure. "Sar-
castle, too, talking of my kind heart and
my usual thoughtfulness.' But certain
ly deserved all she said. AT least my fears
on her account were wasted, as she pretty
plainly hinted.'
Some one may have the curiosity to won
der what was the cause of all this jealousy
and bitterness. At first the merest trife-
some slight difference about walk or drive
some fancied mark of preference bestowed