The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-10-20

has generally acquired without know
ing how. and shoddy folks labor after
in vain all their lives. Grant that a
stranger could adopt this mode of pre-
senting herself and had not Annie
told him that she might?-and notb-
ing could be more natural.
Frank replied that be was not bit
surprised, and advanced his best chair,
which she declined.
mo. thanks" she said, leaning one
hand against the side of the window
space, and tanning herself. Il won't
come in any farther. Do you sit down
and listen to what have to say. l
won't keep you long. Oh? you may
smoke. | don't mind that in the least.
But | insist. will not say word till
you have made four good puffs. That
is Observation-Disclosures; now
for it."
Frank began to feel that he must
have known this lady for several years
so completely did she put him at his
ease.
'tDon't you thirk," she continued,
THAT when a man is engaged to be
married, it is high time for him 10 lsave
fl playing like a boy?"
Certainly it is."
That's right. All the running and
lowing and jumping is well enough in
ITS way. 1t makes boys men, but it
makes men just little bit coarse; at
least that is my view"
MAY ask if Annie shares that
opinionr'
'Ler US leave her out of this discus
sion. She knows nothing about it."
"ADd yet she prepared me for this
pleasure. Said Frank, pryly.
Never mind. Irepeat, she knows
nothing about my present object. If
she did, ain afraid she would not
much assist me, for she is proud of her
great athlete. am old enough to be
her mother, and" with a bright smilel
''am not in love with you, so can talk
sense. Now. really, what is there
worth winning that you have not al
ready Son2 Why risk defeat7"
81 am not afraid of that"
''The confidence of the man,-Wen
I'll put it in another way. Why not
give some one else a chance? Do
you think it is fair to monopolize all
the glory and silver cups2 You greedy
giantw
This shot went home. Frank de-
spised 'pot-hunters. Was he not a
pot hunter hinIself7"
There, see you are coming round, +"
his visitor resumed, pursuing her ad-
vantage. Promise Inc that you will
stick to your books, like q good boy,
take a splendid degree, ard give up
rowing and all that sort of thing, once
and forever
Would it be indiscreet to inquire
whom l have been so fortunate as to
inspire with such deep interest in my
affairs?"
''Ahl do not be sarcastic. You can
not tell how it pains me-" she said. He
looked up and lett power of tender
sad pleading which quite subdued his
impulse to resent her interference. IL
have no right," she continued, Ito ask
this promise for myself. lam nothing
to you; but l love Annie-ohl how
fondlyi 1 Ipleaded tor her, and this l
say, solemDly, Frank Conroy, if your
affection be as deep as she deserves it
should be, yon will not hesitate. Man,
man, what is success in a game that
you should prefer it to the happiness
of the woman you loye?"
"You seem in earnest"
Il am in earnest"
"Well, I'll talk it over with her."
"Think it over by yourself first,
said his visitor, after o pause, during
which she seemed to be struggling with
something she wished to add and dar-
ed not--'tAnd il you cannot resolve
l pray you may-then you can tell
her what has passed to night
Good by. God bless and guide you'll"
She kissed her hand to him, and pass
ed out into the bright moonlight.
II ought to have thanked her, any
how" he unused, when she had gone.
''What an unmannerly dog she'll think
mel She's not fer wrong. 1 ought to
give other fellows turn, and Pm sure
whether lighter man at Nc. Swell,
I'll sleep on it. Who the duce can she
be?"
VINO tho duce can she bel was the
question which filled his mind when he
woke-much earlier than usual-in the |
morning, and diligent inquiries made |
of all the servants about failed to sat |
isfy it. Should he ask Anniel No;
he was little piqued with Annie. 1t
was absurd 10 suppose that these two
we're not in concert. And how unfair
to make him promise not to speak of
what should pass, and then send ttis
person to lecture him, True, he had
''this persons" permission TO talk it
over with Annie if he conld not make
up his mind to follow her advice; but
he had done 70 and there was an end
to that part of the case. He had made
a sacrifice much against the grain, and
therefore-man like-he hedged by
getting cross with a woman.
He wandered about from one room
to another, fretting, fidgstiDg, unset
tied. He tried to read. He opened
one book, and it was too heavy, ,anoth
er, and it was too flippant. He went
out into the garden, and the chirrup
ing of the birds annoyed him. He re-
turned to the house and made for Mr..
study. His host was an
early riser, and he wanted some one
to talk to. Mr. Annesley was not
down yet. On his table lay black
leather case, with silver clasps, that
Frank had not noticed before. He
undid the clasps and opened t. 1t
contained a photograph of the woman
who had visited him the night before.