The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-08-30

the calmest, most impertubable tone +,
that | don't like your match with my
sister, and have done my best to break it
OFT. But she is an obstinate girl, and
had pretty much given up hope. These
peculiar circumstances have most uneX-
pectedly put you in my power, and
propose to make the most of my advan-
tage If were to call in Angie now and
| Introduce you, feel tolorably well assur-
ed that it would be the end of your mat
rimonial expectations in that quarter
Still, you shall have chance for your
life. | will call her if YOU say 50 :" and
John rose.
'For Gods sake, don't let he come in
here" groaned Bob in abject panic.
John grinned, stepped toward the door,
and then turned back rresolutelv, NUT
tering:
Wonder if it wouldn't be the shortest
way out Of it to call her down ?" Then
with saving reflection upon the uncer-
talnty OF Il WOman'S course under any
gwen set OF circumstances, he came back
and rescatng himself opposite Bob, said
with sardomc smile: 80 you don't
like my little suggestion OF giving YOU
one more chance with Angie On the
whole think you are wise. The other
alternative is to leave the :house at once,
relinquish YOUR engagement and never
see her again. Make your choice, and as
quickly as convenient, for I'm getting
sleepy and he yaWned lazily.
Bob sat i'll an attitude Of utter dcjec-
ton, staring at the ashes Of the fire,
which an hour ago had bazed as bright
" as his own love-lit lancies He was
completely dcmoralized ana almost in
capable OF thought or resolution, There
was something 50 pltlable i'll lioh's odd
looking dismantled figure with that
queer, white bulbous head. dmmed,
blank eyes and expression Of crushing
shame and defeat that it would have
moved almost any one to compassion. 1t
did stir compuncti0nS in George, but there
was no mercy in Johns steel blue ewes.
Two or three minutes passed in a silence
so complete that even the almost noise
less movement Of the French clock on
the mantel was distinctly audible.
'l on are taking altogether too LONG to
make up your mind, Mr.. Withers. 1t
will make shorter work to call Angie.
finally said John sharply, his patience
quite at an end HI Tvsv and stepped 10
the door as he spoke.
''lt won't be necessary, John-herc |
ann said a clear voice, with a sharp ring
in it that the family had learned to know
meant decisive work, and Angie stepped
into the room, her blue eyes flashing with
Indignation and her lip trembling with
scorn, beautiful Us Il goddess.
Bob started up from his abject attitude
and stood facing her with tie look OF Il
man waiting his doom from the firing
squad. As he stood there, drawn up to
his full height, with just Il touch of appeal
sottening the defiance of his expression.
it was q manly face and figure in spite Of
all But her brother received Angles
first attention.
"lou mean, coWard!l fellow - she said
i'll tones of concentrated contempt II
would not have believed that men were
SO mean And am almost Us much
ashamed of you, Mr.. Withers," she added
turning to Bob with a softer, but vet an
CRY voice. ''Did You think, sir, that |
took You for Your beauty don't care if
you wear forty wigs, or none. Nou are
absurdly Vain, sill" She was smiling
now. "Nou should know that when
. "'iii''li ioNt = " llii " - VI Si't't dIl'l
not of works; anyhow, john" She added,
turning to him, as if contrasting his
Slight figure with Bob's fine physique,
Mr.. Withers doesn't wear shoulder
pads" With that parting Shot she dis
appeared into the dining room, in mo
ment leappearing To say: "Alr. WIthers,
You may forgive them all you want 10.
I'm by no means sure that shall. And
now 60 to bed all of you, and don't be
keeping us awake"
There was an outward silence for Il few
moments Then John said:
II don't ask your pardon, Mr.. Withers,
because meant to succeed, and I'm sor-
rY didn't But know when I'm beaten,
and YOU need expect no further opposi-
ton from me. Lets go to bed"