Connecticut western news., 1874-05-29
THE QUARREL.

They hung, heavy plumes of purple, over the little gateway in that bright afternoon-the 1st of June. A chari- table breeze swept one scented bunch of bloom a bit aside, just out of the reach of little brown hand that had moment ago ruthlessly stripped off half it's blossoms.
 But the owner of the hand had al- ready turned about, with toss of her black curls and a firt of her pink cali co dress, that scared the butterflies, and before the branch swung back she was hastenlng up the trim garden path, and ainging back a sharp speech over her shoulder at 8 tall, sunburned young fellow who, with vexed light in his eyes, stood in the gateway watching her. sr~.
 "Oh, it don't matter what 7 think 1! Indeed, don't think at all. You may take whom you like to the next May dance-you won't take me !'
 It was such 8 pretty shoulder over which these words were cast, and there was such rosy flush of anger on the round cheek half yelled in curls, that it is no wonder John Armitage took two or three steps in pursuit of the speak CT but he stopped drew himself up with sudden pride, and said ope re- proachful word.
 "Nancy!''
 The one addressed wavered little in her retreat, then resumed it with in creased celerity.
 "Willyou stop and listen to me P the young man queried, his rising indigna- tion somewhat modifying his tone of appeal.
 "No 1" and the pink calico swept the myrtles on either side of the walk fas- ter yet. as he who had pleaded turned toward the gate. "But mark my words: you'll be sorry for this before these bushes here "-brushing the low sprays sharp ly aside-" are out of bloom Now good-by."
 Nancy, peeping from behind cur tain after his retreating figure, cried. Perhaps the soliloquy will tell why.
 "Well, it's all over between us now, any way. It's his fault, too. He'd no business to take any one else to the May-dance when I couldn't go. I shouldn't wonder if he's gone down to Sarah Anderson's now. They'll be en- gagged next thing, and she'll crow over me finely. He'll try to make me ieal- ous "-here Nancy had 8 spasm of cry ing. "See if Iwon't make him jealous first !'
 The way she would do it became ap- parent the next afternoon, when, dressed in a jaunty blue suit that set off we'll her creamy complexion, dark curls, and tinted cheeks, she started for the village. The dainty blue silk parasol was lowered little as she came to the pretentious block of buildings opposite the hotel, upon one of which hung the sign, s.Dr. Miles Gray. Office hours from 8 to 10 A. M., from 3 to P. M." But the face of the building was blank, and the office curtains lowered; so, with an impatient exclamation under her breath, Nancy went on to the post office, where. getting no letter, she turned discontentedly toward home.
 The Fates forbade her. She had not accomplished quarter of the distance before the light roll of wheels made her turn her head and start perceptibly. In moment more young Dr. Gray, whose natty top buggy was the envy of all the men, and wnose fascinating smile had won the hearts of all the women, had drawn up his horse at her side, and leaped to the ground, and had asked, eagerly,
 s'Miss Evans, may I have the pleas ! ure of driving you home?"
 The color frightened in Nancy's cheeks, the light in her eyes, as she as- scented with charming smile and in moment they were slowly bowling along the road, and the blue ribbons were blown against the doctors broad cloth.
 Dr. Gray was young, handsome. not | deficient in brains, with pocket money enough to prevent him from bsing tragically earnest in his profession, and very much in love with the coquettish bit of womanhood by his side. As for Nancy, she was 8 little afraid of the gray eyes that could be quizzical as well as admiring, and of the smile that sometimes curled the corners of the black mustache. But Nancy was minus a lover just then, the doctor was 8 "catch, and so she laughed and chat. tered as the bay horse trotted along.
 The farmhouse came in sight toe soon, and the doctor stopped midway in speech to inquire, t
 "Won't you take 8 longer ride It's such beautiful afternoon P Nancy demurred, as in duty bound.