The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-03

Mr.. R.-"Yes, understand that per-
fecrly. am now asking merely for gem
eral Information. do not expect you to
relent. and In fact I should cons der II
rather frivolous n you did. No. What
have always admired In your character,
Lucy. Is "A firm. logical oonsls tcDcy "A clear
uess Of mental vision that leaves no side of
Il subject unsearclIed; and an unwavering
constinoy OF purpose. You may say that
these trnitsare characteristic Of all women |;
hut they are preemincntly characteristic
of you, Lucy" Miss Gabrnith looks as
kauce at him to make out whether he Is in
earnest or not lie continues, with per-
fecIly serious air: "And l know now
that IL you're offended with me it's for
no trivial cause" She stirs uncomfort-
ably in her chair. "What I have done
/ cant imagine. but u must be something
muustrous, siuce IL has made life with
me arpear 30 impossible that you are
ready to fling away your own happiness
for j know you did love me, Lucy-and
destroy mine. ! will begin with the worst
thing 7 can think of. Was It because
danced so much with Fanny Water vlletr
Miss c., indignantly How can you IN
suit me bv supposing that I could he jaal-
Gus of such perfect little goose a. that
No, Alleni Whatever | think OF you,
still respect you too much for that"
Mr.. RI am glad to hear that there
nre yet depths to which you think me in
capable OF descending, aud that Miss Wa
tervliet Is one OF them. will now take n
little higher ground. Perhaps you think
flirted with Mrs. Dawes. thought myself
that the thing might begin To have that
appearance; but j give you my word OF
honor that ~ soou as the iden occurred to
me, dropped her. rather rudely, too. The
trouble Was. don't you know, that felt so
perfectly safe with married friend OF
yours | couldn't he hanging about YOU
all the time, aud was afraid | might vex
YOU If went with the other girls, and |
didn't know what to do"
Miss G.-"t think you behaved rather
silly. Giggling 40 much with her. But"
Mr.. RI own 1t, know 1t was silly.
But"
MissG.-"dt wasn't that; it wasn't that !"
Nr. r." Was 1t my forgetting To bring
you those things from your motherF"
Miss G.-"Nul"
Mr.. R.-"was It because hadn't given
up smoking yetr'
Miss G." You know never asked you
to give up smoking. 1t was entirely your
ow proposition"
Mr. r. That's true. That's what made
IL of ann time. Well, will not disturb
youany longer. Miss Galbrnitn." He throws
ms overcoat across ms arm, and takes up
his travelling bag. ~ have failed to guess
your falnl - conundrunl; and ! have no
longer any excuse for remaining. | um
going INTO the smoking car. Shall send
the porter to you for anvth'n mgr
Miss G.-"No, thanks" She puts up her
handkerchief to her face.
Mr.. r." Lucy. do you send me away p
Miss e.. behind her handkerchief" You
We're gong yourself
Mr. r.. over his shoulder" Shall | come
backp"
Miss CT have no right to drive you
from the car"
Mr.. r.. coming back and sitting down in
the chair nearest her" Lucy, dearest, toll
me WHAT'S the matter"
Miss Con, Allen, your not knowing
makes IL all the more hopeless and killing.
IL shows mo thar we must part: that you
would 60 on breaking NV heart and grind
ing mo INTO the dust n long rs we lived. ="
She sobs. " II shows me that YOU never
understood me, aud you never will |
know you're good and KIND and all that
but that only makes your not understand
Ing me so much the worse. LIDO II quite as
much for your sake rs my own. Allen"
Mr.. R.-"Id much rather you wouldn't
put yourself out on my account"
Miss c., without regarding MIN" n you
could mortify me before u whole roomful
OF people rs Won diu last night, what could
| expect after marriage but continued in
sultT'
Mr.. r.. in amazement-" How did NOR
THY your | thought that treated you
with all the tenderness and affection that
decent regard for the feelings OF Others
would allow. I was ashamed TO fnd |
couldn't keep awav from you"
Miss s;n"On, yogwsre att,entiye eT""""
Nr r." Well, what vital matters did
fail IN? I'm sure | can't reinerber.'
Miss CT dare saw dare ,ay they
won't appear vital to you, Allen. Nothing
does. And n hn 4 told YOU. should have
been met with rid .culc, suppose. But /
knew better than to tell; respected my
self too much
Mr.. r." But now you mustn't respect
Yourself quite so much. dearest. ARD |
promise you | won't laugh AT the most
serious thing. I'm m no humOr Tor II. IL
IL were "A matter OF life aud death, eVen' |
can assure you that Il woulint bring a
smile 10 my cuunienance. No, lndeeil III
Won expect me 10 laugh, now, YOU must
saw something particularly funny"
Miss c. was not gong To- say any
thing funny. AS you call II, and Will say
nothing at al. If you talk in that way
Mr. r." Well, | won't then. Bat DO
YOU know what | suspect, Lucy'
wouldn't mention 1t 10 everybody. hut
viii Ia youth strict confidence: suspect
that you're rather ashain ed OF your griev-
ance, If you have any. suspect us hotn'
| iug ut all.
Miss g.. very sternly at first, with "A ris-
ing nysterlcal INFECT ION" Nothing, Al
| len! DO YOU call II nothing. 10 have Mr'
! Dawes come out with all that about YOU
accident ON your way up the TiVei' hnO
ask me II 1t didn't frighten me ter
| ribly to hear of II. even after II was al
over; and | had to SAY YOU hadn tol
me word OF in why, Lucy '-angrii>
m.mickng Mrs. Dlwes-"'you must I, aol
hlm better than That. make MT. DAVE
tell mo everything Little simpleton
And then to have them all laugh-oh dear
it's too much!"
Mr.. r." Why. NV dear Lucy"
Miss G.. ,interruptng hun" saw just how
il was going to be- aud I'm thankful. thank
full that II happened. | saw that you didn'
care enough for me TO take me into you
whole lie; that you desplsei and distrusI
ed me, aud that II would get worse AM
worse to the end of our DAYS; that W
should grow further aud further apart
aud should be left mcplne at home, wnll
you ran about making couiiiantes OF Olhe
women whom you considered worthy o
your confidence. 1t all flashed upon me u
an instant; ind | resolved 10 break WIZ
YOU, then aud there; and ] did, just n
soon as ever | could 20 TO my room
Tor your things. aud I'm glad-yes-
OH, hu hu, hu, hu, hn!-so glad did it,
Mr.. r., gnmly-" Your JOY Is obvious
May ask"
Miss Con. II wasn't the first proc
YOU had given me how little you real
cared for me, but | was determ ned
should be the last | dare say you've fol
gotten them | dare say you don't re
member telling Mamie Morris tnat yo
didn't like crOcheted cigar cases, whe
YOU you'd Just iOld me that you did, an
let me be such ~ tool rs 10 commences on
for YOU; but Fun thankful to say tina
went INTO the hre-Oh, yes, Instantly
And | dare saw YOU We forgotten that 70