American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-06-17

"Say, Polly, let's take the early stage
for the Twin Mountain House, and dine
there, will youP"
"What's the object?" said practical
Joe.
"Objecte 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-
a band to play at dinner!
Why, think of it, Joel"
And you're expected TO eat in time
with the musice ehP Don't believe l
could do it. What do you say, Polly?
shall we go?''
eyes, yes, by all MEANS" said I,
moved to hasty decision by glimpse
of Dill's distressed countenance as we
passed under lamp. If she WIS so
very anxioas I'd cla,ie this old lover of
hers, in common charity ought to help
her, though it went to my heart to shat
ter the pretty air-castles I had been
building for her.
"Well, have 1t as you like, girls"
said Joe, halting on the landing. "And
now 1 think of it, III step back and ask
Mr. Keene about the Twin Mountain
House. Hes just been there"
"Don't ,don't!' cried Dill, lin anguish.
"Oh no, wouldn't ask him, Joe,'
said L, with warning pinch.
"Why not, Pollya What on earth are
you pinching me for?' said that blessed
innocent; and not till 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 throug h the Notch
for the fun of making up with her, Dill
might give the poor fellow chance, he
said. 1t was sheer cruelty to run off.
He strongly objected to stealing away
at daybreak. However, had my own
way with him, as 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 witch all that morning.
"Of course 1 know that you know
I'm lodging John Keene, Polly" said
she, after our musical dinner, as we
strolled about the Twin Mountain House
grounds. 81 interpreted your friendly
pinch last night, if Joe didn't, poor
martyri Don't black-and- blue him any
more on my account, 1 beg"
"Well, if you insist, won't. But,
Dill, why wouldn't you have conf.
Dental talk with Mr.. Keene? Joe
says"
Dill gave the chained bear sudden
punch with the point of her parasol, stir
ring up growl within him. 1 sprane
back in alright.
she, pettishly, appeasing Bruin with a
lump of maple-sugar.
You needn't resent it so, Dill; he
only said, if there had been a 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 misunderstood
ingp Suppose 1 understand him toe
well already?'' retorted she, fiercely
"Polly, don't you say one word!"
"But why can't you be amiable, Dill
and make up? You're in love with hin
this minute
"Polly Garcelon,- I'm not! 1 won'
be! 1 hate him, and so would you il
you knew! We can no more come to
gether than the eyes in this bear:
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 thu
whole truth and have done with it
John Keene is
"Seen the crOquet ground?" asked
Joe, sauntering along at that critica
juncture. And if 1 ever sighed for
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 tn
stage for the mountain railroad. What
ever else he might be, he certainly wa
ubiquitous, decided, when, having ar
rived at the hotel, 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 1 came near pinch
ing Joe then and there, and risking tn
consequences, bat was mercifully pre-
vented. AS for Joe, he looked midi
astonished. That man should volun
tarily ascend Mount Washington twic
within a week was incomprehensible t
him, and hardly excusable even on tn
hypothesis of his being in love.
"You changed your plan of trave
this morning, it seems, Mrs. Garcelon,
remarked Mr.. Keene, with labored care
lessness, after riding a long distanc
without speaking.
eyes, sir. Miss Clement wanted t
visit the Twin Mountain House,