The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-06-15
dropping his voice. ct have something

dropping his voice. "I have something
important to tell you"
"Don't speak Of it. What is the usep
l know 1t all beforehand" said she,
flashing past him.
On the stairs she seized my arm with
a death.grip.
"Say, Polly, let's take the early stage
for the Twin Mountain House, and dine
there, will youP"
"What's the objectp" said practical
Joe.
"Objectp As to that, what's the OBJ
ject of Longing here all the forenoon,
when we might be seeing the fashionsp
They have elegant visitors at the Twin
House-real New York Knickerbock-
ers-and a band to play at dinner!
Why, think of it, joel"
"And you're expected to eat in time
with the music, ehP Don't believe l
could do it. What do you say, PollyP
shall we goP"
"Yes, yes, by all MEANS" said 1,
moved to n hasty decision by a glimpse
Of Dill's distressed countenance as we
passed under a lamp. II she was so
very a~nxioas to eluie this old lover of
hers, in common charity I ought to help
her, though 1t went to my heart to shat
ter the pretty air-castles I had been
building for her.
"Well, have it a. you like, girls"
said Joe, hating On the landing. "And
now l think of it, III step back and ask
Mr.. Keene about the Twin Mountain
House. He's just been there"
"Don't,don't!" cried Dill in anguish.
"Oh no, l wouldn't ask him, Joe,"
said 1, with a warning pinch.
"Why not, Pollyp What on earth are
you pinching me forP" said that blessed
innocent; and not till l had walked him
off TO our room and confided to him the
whole story of Dill's broken engage
ment could / make him to see the force
Of the application.
Even then he didn't approve of our
change of plan. If Mr.. Keene had jolt
ed all the way back through the Notch
for the fun of making up with her, Dill
might give the poor fellow a chance, he
said. 1t. was sheer cruelty to ran off.
He strongly objected to stealing away
at daybreak. However, 1 had my own
way with him, as l usually dol like
it-and we set out next morning bright
and early, though not at daybreak by
any means. We were to take the cars
at Fabyan's, six miles on, and while we
breakfasted the coach waited at the
door. Dill slipped her coffee in concern
of mind, with one eye fixed on the din
ing-room entrance; but We left without
encountering Mr.. Keene. She was rest
less as a witch all that morning.
"Of course | know that you know
I'm lodging John Keene, Polly" said
she, after u musical dinner, as we
strolled about the Twin Mountain House
grounds. 81 interpreted your friendly
pinch last night, If Joe didn't, poor
martyr! Don't black-and- blue him any
more on my account, l beg"
swell, if you insist, l won't. But,
Dill, why wouldn't you have a conf
dental talk with Mr.. KeeneP Joe
says"
Dill gave the chained bear q sudden
punch with the point of her parasol, STIR
ring up Il growl within him. l sprang
back in alright.
swell, what does Joe say?" asked
she, pettishly, appeasing Bruin with a
lump of maple-sugar.
"You needn't resent it so, Dill; he
only said, if there had been Il misunder-
standing, he thought you might have
let Mr.. Keene explain it if he could.
You knew well enough that he came
back to Crawford's expressly to see
you"
"Suppose there is no misunderstand-
ingP Suppose l understand him too
well ~already?" retorted she, fiercely.
"Polly, don't you say world"
"But why can't you be amiable, Dill,
and make upP You'rei In love with him
this minute"
"Polly Garcelon, I'm not! l won't
be! l hate him, and so would you il
you knew! We car no more come to-
gether than the eyes in this bears
head"
"Mr. Keene doesn't look at all like
a reprobate."
."Don't you ever mention his name
to me again, Polly, and I'll tell you the
whole truth and have done with it,
John Keene is"
"Seen the croquet ~groundP" asked
Joe, %sauntering along at that critica.
juncture. And If I ever sighed for {
divorce, I'm free to confess 1t was then
for Of course his coming sealed Dill
lips.
John Keene was-whatp l wonder
ed and wondered all the way back t.
fabyan's, where we were to take til,
stage for the mountain railroad. What
ever else he might be, he certainly wa!
ubiquitous, ! decided, when, having ar
, rived at the hotel, l saw him scannin.
us from the piazza. Dill was settlin,
, herself in the only vacant inside seat
and did not SPY him as he mounted tn
top Of the coach beside Joe and me.
was so excited that l came neal pinch
,, ing Joe then and there, and risking tn
consequences, bat was mercifully pre-
vented. AS for Joe, he looked midi
!, astonished. That a man should volun
. tarily ascend Mount Washington twic
i, within a week was incomprehensible 3
him, and hardly excusable even on tn
!, hypothesis of his being in love.
), "You changed your plan Of travt
this morning, it seems, Mrs. Garcelon,
remarked Mr.. Keene, with labored care
lessness, after riding a long distanc