The Van Buren press., 1871-02-21

wouldn't sey anything if he wasn't a
door post responded Pansy. sharply.
"Ill tell you what it is, Roger Glenn,
you and have got to take this matter
into our own hands"
Roger started helplessly, as Pansy
turned toward him, with her straw hat
pushed back, and a stern light in her
dark blue eyes
Il should like to know how" he sigh
ed.
""ell get married too"
We-who p stammered Roger.
"You and l." Pansy said, with def
ant nod "not in real earnest, you COW
ard" she added, turning red as a carns-
| ton.
"Oh" calculated Roger, blushing too,
but looking more cheerful at this view
Of the case; "make 'em jealous, eh (? 1t
won't do any good, though Annabel is
such timid--"
Don't tell me that again, interposed
Pansy, tartly. "You do as tell you,
and III take the responsibility OF the
rest"
"All right said Roger; but he look
ed doubtful still.
In the first place, do you keep away
from Annabel. mind that; and in the
second spend all your spare time here.
That'll do for to-lay. Come back after
dinner, and play croquet with me-"
Thus it chanced that Harold We're,
sauntering that way that evening from
mere force of habit, found Roger Glenn
installed in the portico, with Pansy look.
ing lovely as an Odalisque in the shadow
of the climbing roses.
so glad to see you," chimed shc,m
sically. "Where is Annabel? Roger
and | were just speaking Of you two"
We're started, and made some sort of
incoherent response, while, at word
from Pansy, Roger made room beside
himself for him to sit down.
81 don't know Pansy said, with
glance Of arch brightness, but Roger
ought to tell you our secret, you were SO
kind this morning Roger and have
been nearly as sly as you and dear An
mabel"
She was spared further words. Nut
terng something about not having time
to stop longer just then. We're rose al
most before he had fairly sat down, and
smiling ghastly, withdrew; not rapidly
enough however, to avoid hearing Pansy
say, in an exaggerated whisper, " Two
are better company than three; eh, Rog-
err"
"Dc you suppose he will tell Anna
bel ?" Roger asked, anxiously
"Of course he will Pansy responded
rns .xindictvelv after Veres retreat
"There's a riding party to the oprlng,
next Tuesday," she said, after thought
ful pause. Harold We're will take An.
mabel, of course, and you'll take me,
equally of course; and you'll go the first
thing to morrow morning, and secure the
two best horses that are to be got for
love or money Mind, now, that you
don't go near Annabel. and that you
come here at least every afternoon and
evening"
between that and Tuesday, Harold
We're called three times, and found
" Roger" there each time. The remain
ING days he came only near enough to
the house TO ses-and he seen--a and pru
IDENTIFY retreated.
The riding party came off in its due
order, with handsome Roger looking
like prince Of the blood, on his high.
stepping bay horse; and Pansy match
lessly lovely in her close fitting habit of
dark blue, and mounted on the mate to
Rogers bay. Roger had literally obey
ed her in the matter of horses.
Roger glanced flrtively at Annabers
sweet face, as she and We're rode up and
ioined them, and his heart smote him
painfully as he saw how pale it was
Tut" spoke Pansy, as she swept
closer to his side "dOn't be sentimental
yet; the day is ours, if we only try. If
| catch you looking at Annabel again,
shall be tempted to box your ears sound
ly."
In wholesome fear Of such admonltion,
or else inspired with implicit faith in her
tactics, Roger did his best to obey, and
f he stole look at Annabel again, took
care not to be caught at it by either of
the girls.
How Harold We're set his white teeth
as he watched these two in such cozy
chat; and again sweeping away side by
side, the light stepping bays fairly spurn-
ing the ground with their light hoofs.
while Pansy's long snowy plume stream
cd out and her sweet laughter foated
back on the wings of the summer breeze.
Poor little Annabel was the most
wretched of the two, though. as she rode
almost without speaking, and look in
her eyes like a hunted fawn.
The rest Of the party found Roger and
Pansy already seated in the shadow or
the trees as they rode up. Roger indus
triously tanning his fair companion with
his hat. The poor fellow nearly lost his
balance as he saw how Annabcl looked;
but a warning pinch from Pansy recalled
his scattered senses.
Pansy was unrelenting in her demands
upon the ncessant attention other trusty
squire all day. But MS the hour for de
parture drew nigh, she whispered him
something and sent him away. She had
spcd Annabcl Lord standing alone by
the spring. which was some rods of,
quite on the opposite side Of the grove.
Fleet footed Roger! He was Dy An
nabers side before she had guessed his
approach. She lifted her sweet face with
glance in which JOY and fright were
STRANGELY blended