The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-11-29

4
, Ispddeuly burst out
I I .sa1Hst yeae g T. xoslgselx meps Do
go1 Know what I cdft you?"
/ My dear NelIiel" said her father.
| l was speechless. She fixed her eyes
On my face, and the position, l assure
yen, was a singularly uncomfortable
one.
II call you cowards," she went on
"and-and-" evidently she was at loss
for an expressive word.
"Miss Hartley" 1 said, deeply peni,
tent, eff"
spray say no MORE" she answered
eoldly. Papa, will leave you to your
Wine."
did not see her again during my stay,
which, as you may guess, was not pro-
bnged beyond the time absolutely nee
essary. This abrupt and mysterious iu-
ierruption of an acquaintsnceship that
had promised to prove interesting, cut
ne up more than can we'll express. l
tried TO cast the whole matter out of my
mind. l could not. In every quiet
moment l would find myself running
over the unfortunate occurrence, and
hying to account for it. Had she known
him before? Was she in love with him?
The idea made me turn hot, then cold.
But mol impossible! Not the most ex-
tIavagant fancy could make these two
Images, of Eleanor Hartley and of our
simple little new conner, stand side by
side. Looked at from another point of
view, the thing was equally absurd. A
sore of men admired Eleanor Hartley
fine stalwart fellows, the pick of our
community, for none other would have
ventured to lift their eyes So high-men
broad-chested and deep-voiced, and we'll
versed in every kind of world lore. Was
itnot preposterous TO imagine that this
puing boy could be her choice? How
then was to explain her displessure? |
did explain it. 1t would be hard for
You to guess how. But at certain times,
you know, our thoughts are peculiarly
obedient to impulses communicated to
them by will with which our desires
GFve taTnpered. | said to myself that
Ekanor Hartley was disappointed in me.
Yes, this was the meaning of it all. That
1 should have Joined inficting annoy
ance on helpless fellow creature vexed
her. And really, when looked back
calmly, the whole thing began to wear
an ugly aspect. Well it was annoying
But time plays havoc with impressions.
Eleanor would be sorry, doubtless, for
her hastiness. 1 could easily put the
matter in different light. All would be
we'll.
Meanwhile 1 returned to my own
quarters, where, presently found,
events of an exciting character were un-
der discussion. Miss Hartley, 1 was told
had come to pay visit to her married
sister, who lived in our settlement. As
We were not cheered by the presence OF
any unmarried ladies, Il was of course
an occurrence of the fist magnitude.
But further, a large dinner was 10 be
given at our club, to which all the ladies
and our newcomer were invited. He
had been persuaded that the dinner was
given in his honor, and was to be beguiled
into making speech, from which much
fun was expected. l threw cold water
on this scheme. was afraid, you see,
that Miss Hartley would see in it another
malicious trick and be further incensed
against me. But once ball of such sort
Is set rolling, it requires hand of pecu-
liar force to stop it. Mine was not able
for the feat, and my friends arranged
their plan of action without me. After
all, ] think, was not sorry that he
should make a fool of himself publicly
before Miss Eleanor. 1t would be sure
to destroy any sentimental liking she
might have had for him, go held my
peace, and the eyentful day came en-.
How nervous was that EVENING" l
remember that 1 was obliged to call in
the assistance of one of my friends to
adjust my necktie, and he was obliging
enough to tell me looked as yellow as a
guinea. A comfortable assurance truly,
when wished to look my very best, for
had not seen Miss Hartley since my
uDlucky story, and wanted to make my
peace with her. But when, with an
apology on my lips. I drew near the
sofa where she was sitting, found, to
nv infinite relief, that no apology was
necessary. She was as friendly in her
manner as ever. She was exquisitely
dressed that evening in---well, l can't
exactly say what--some dead white
material, that iell in white DELICIOUS folds
about her stately figure. That girl could
always dress herself to sperfection. She
looked superb. Beyond doubt, che was
the queen of our party; certainly we all
felt as proud of her as if each one of us
had been her father or brother. She did
not speak to our newcomer, and this re-
l;eved me. 3ut at the dinner-table |
felt little more uneasy. She and be
sat at opposite corners of the table. 1t
seemed to me that she was quietly watch
iny him, from time to time, and at such
moments there was in her face wonder
full light of fhappiness and pride. / un-
derstood it all presently.
The long dinner passed; desert was on
the table; the usual toasts had been
oiyen and responded to. Then my
friend rose, and in few serious words
which, as some of US knew, veiled real
irony, proposed the health OF the youngest
man at the table, our distinguished guest.
whose arrivsl had been SO long antici
mated and SO eagerly hailed.
All drank the toast, and there followed
an awful pause. Every eye, Eleanor
HartIey's among the number, was fixed
on our newcomer. He rose to his feet