The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1878-01-02

was Obliged TO listen tor the street
door bell, and wished to conceal
the fact from my companion.
I never did care much for poe
try, but that day I quite alb,
horrcd it. In the midst Of a ser-
timental piece which Claude was
reading most beautifully, "ting,
ting" went the bell up l jumped,
and with a muttering "Excuse
me" left the room.
The same interruption happened
again, and a third time. I became
so nervous that | left the sitting
room door open, and this was the
unlucky speech which met the
ears Of my offended companion:
"Don't, Charlie, dear Leave me
alone, sir; will, not allow you to
kiss me, although l am very fond
Of you"
Here followed scufie and some
suppressed laughter.
When I returned to the sitting
room, Claude stood looking the
vcry picture of indignation:
pray may l ask who Charlie
dear is? Probably only a boy" "
said he, satirically.
mo, he is not a boy" | an
swered, with a careless laugh
this "only a boy" was sneering
allusion to a lad Of sixteen of
whom Claude had once been jeal-
Gus, and to whom [ had justly
applied the term.
"Then | must insist upon know
ing what man dared to attempt to
kiss you," exclaimed Claude, fierce
ly.
"Would you like to see him ?" l
asked, tauntingly. And then we
had sharp quarrel, which ter
minated in his saying:
eva Raynham, l give you
twenty-four hours to consider
whether you will tell me the name
of the impertinent rascal whom
you permitted to take such a
liberty without properly resenting
it. If tomorrow night you per-
sist in obstinate refusal, we must
part then and forever. I can par
don frivolity, but not deceit"
I covered my face with my
hands, and said in a low tone:
II can not"
In. moment he dashed out of
the room, and left the house, bang
ing the street door so violently
that Granny ran down alarmed
for the plate basket, and found
me-laug hing immoderately.
The next evening came, and
with it Claude, looking so pale
and wretched that I quite pitied
him. Immediately on his arrival
Granny left US alone and for few
minutes silence follow ed, which
was broken by his saying IN a
most severe tone:
"Have you made up your mind
to tell the truth, Eva, or to make
us both miserable for life ?"
Il am not miserable; nor would
you be if you were NOT such a
foolish dolt," l answe cred.
"Heartless coquette !" he began,
when a ring at the door bell
caused me to leave the room
hastily, for it was Charlie come
again. Of course expected Claude
to follow me-but he was not
mean, dear fellow!
Very soon returned, followed
by Charlie, on all fours. Yes, the
offender was only a large fat ter
rier, blind of one eye, and old
enough, even had he been a biped,
not to awaken jealousy in Claude's
breast.
Never shall I forget tho ex-
preston of humiliation on poor
Claude's face at the discovery Of
his unknown rival. The euro was
moro than half completed, and
dear Granny finished it, for she
preached such a beautiful little
sermon about the folly Of jealousy
that it made me cry, and Claude's
voice was quite husky VBen next
be spoke.
After it was all made up, and
matters were pleasant again, 1
said:
"Now, Claude, l will tell you
why the bell had such disturb
ing effect upon me yesterday.
Our only domestic had gone out
for the afternoon, and I, from q
weak-minded pride, wished to con-
ceal the reduced condition OF our
establishment from you. First
came the baker, then the postman,
and, finally, the milk-woman, VINO
is great friend of mine, and sole
proprietress of the offending Char
lie T am very fond of the poor
old dog, but could never allow
either him Or any other animal to
lick my face; hence the expostu-
lation on my part, and our recent
quarrel, which has ended so salts
factorily."
Claude looked at the matter SO
good-naturedly, and owned his
folly With such unfinehingcandor'
that | determined never again to
hirt or teazo him, [ have kept my
resolution, with ono exception
Sometimes 7 say "bow-wow" TO
him, and to this very day it makes