Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-08-22
John thought few minutes longer, and

I John thought few minutes longer. and
then said:
Take seat, Mr. Wilhers; 1 have q
proposition to make"
They sat down.
the calmest, most imperturabIe tone
that don't like your match with my
sister, and have done my Lest to break it
OIL But she is an obstinate girl, and |
mad pretty much given up hope. These
peculiar circumstances have most unex-
pectedly put you in my power, and pro,
pose to make The most of my advantage.
If were 10 call in Angie now and intro
duce you, feel tclorably well assured
that IL would be the end of your matri-
monial expectations in that quarter. Still
you shall have chance for your life. l
will call her if you say SOP" And John
rose.
" For Gods sake, don't let her come in
here" groaned Bob, in abect panic.
John grinned, stepped to the door, and
turned back irresolutely, muttering:
Wonder if it wouldn be the shortest
way out to call her down?> Then, with Il
saving reflection upon the uncertainty of a
woman's course under any given set of
circumstances, he came back, and reseat-
ing himself opposite Bob, said, with sar.
donic smile; $50 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 Mt once, relinquish your
engagement, and never see her again
Make your choice, and rs quickly as CON
venent, for Pm getting sleepy" and he
yawned lazily.
Bob sat in an attitude of utter detection,
staring at the ashes of the fire, which an
hour ago had blazed rs brightly as his
own love-lit fancies. He was completely
demoralized and almost incapable of
thought or resolution. There was some
thing so ptiabe in Bob's odd looking, dis
mantlcd figure, half dressed, with that
queer white, bulbous head, dimmed,
black eyes, and expression of crushing
shame and Defeat that it would have NOV
ed almost any one TO compassion. 1t did
stir compunction in George, but there
was no mercy in Johns sill, blue eyes.
Two or three minutes passed in silence so
JOill plClC lllttO CNNA IllC ullllOSL uOlSGIGSS
movement of the French clock on the
mantle was distinctly audible.
You are taking altogether too long IL
time 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. He rose and stepped to
the door as he spoke.
q" 1t won't be necessary, John--here |
ann said Il clear voice, with sharp
ring in it that the family had learned 10
know meant decisive work, and Angie
stepped into the room, her blue eyes fash
ing with Indignation and her lip trembling
with scorn, beautiful as goddess.
Bob started up from his abject attitude
and stood facing her with the look of a
man wanting his doom from the firing
squad. AS he stood there, drawn up to
his full height, with just touch of appeal
sofening the defiance Of his expression, it
was II manly face and figure in spite of all.
But her brothers received Angles first at
tention.
"You mean, cowardly felowsw she
said, in tones of concentrated contempt.
{" | would not have believed that men were
so mean! And am almost as much
ashamed of you, Mr.. Withers," she added,
turning to Bob, with Il softer but yet angry
voice Ibid you think, sir, that took
you for your beauty? | don't care if you
wear forty wigs, Or none. You are absurd
ly vain, sir" She was smiling now.
" You should know that when woman
loves Il man it is of grace and not Of
works. Anyhow, john she added, turn
ing to him, as if contrasting his slight fig
IRE with Bob's fine physique, "Mr. With
ers doesn't wear shoulder pads" With
that parting shot she disappeared into the
dining-room, in Il moment reappearing, to
say "Mr, Withers, you may forgive
them if you want to. 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 II few
moments. Then John said:
Il don't ask your pardon, Mr.. Withers,
because meant 70 succeed, and M sorry
| didn't But know when I'm beaten,
and you need expect no further opposition
from me- Let's 60 TO bed"