Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-25
May, tell me why Mr.. skidmore dislikes

"1'll tell you all he said, Miss Arden
Miss Payne said there was a mystery
about Miss Carew, and limited at some
thing rather rejecting on her character
and Mr.. Skidmore said it was her family
that was running her. Miss Carew, g
he said, had entrapped his brother into
an engagement. This was two years ago
and it is all broken off now. MIR. Skid
more would not hear of it, and wrote to
Miss Carew, telling her his brother would
be an outcast from his family If he mar
ried her, and asked him to set him free
1t seems that she did not really care fol
him, but he was wild about her, and
they drifted into an engagement. The
whole family thoroughly dlsliked her,
and Miss Payne said no respectable peo-
pie visited them. They live in fast
set, and Miss Carew goes all about with
no chaperone and, believe, gets dread
fully mixed up with gossip Mr.. Skid
more would be glad never to see her
again"
She stopped cor sheer lack of breath,
and l said, feeling sort of scorn for a
man who could so speak of woman
Miss Carew may be all you say, but I'M
til know more about 1t shall treat her
as always have. And as for Miss Payne,
she is low, gossiping woman to repeat
such tile"
She stared at me in amazement.
II had no idea you We're so fond of her, -
she said. do you know they say she is
called fascinating? have rather pitled
her because she was so plain"
"What became Of Mr.. Skidmore's
brother?"
"Oh, believe he married somebody
else. But l must 90 now. You are not
offended, Miss A1den?"
Me- said, laughing; mot with such
q giddy tomboy as you are"
was greatly surprised by what May
| had told me. For the first time sus-
pected there was another nature in Annie
Carew than the INDECENT careless one we
saw. There might dangerous fires sleep
under those soft, brown. eyes. There
might be hidden depths under that cold
exterior. And now l thought of it, she
wasn't so very plain. She had beautiful
eyes, brown and clear-looking; delicate
eyebrows, full. red lips, and masses of
soft, dusky hair. If her face was dark
and thin, it was also full of character.
| Certainly she was not to be pitied.
l was rather fearful as to how she
would treat May, but at teatime she
came in smiling, and apologizlng for be-
ing so late. There was not trace of I'M
pleasantness in the smooth face. She
laughed great deal and, showed me
sketch she had made; ridiculously
long-necked bird was pepched on the UNI
brella, and in bis mouth bit of scarlet
ribbon, over which it seemed puzzled.
There was real expression IN the small,
uncanny eyes, and laughed heartily.
Show we'll you sketch, Miss Carewv'-
said May, who was looking over my shoul
der.
Eyes; that is one of my Bohemian pro-
clivities. One learns many things like
that travelling over the world without a
chHperOne."
There was no malice in the tone. It
was merely an explanation. Mr.. Skid
more looked up quickly, and then went
out of the room, abruptly. Miss Carew
laughed.
''Have shocked anybody9" she asked
lightly.
"Come out on the beach," whispered.
And when we are alone, 1 said, Tell me
about it, Miss Carew."
1t was in substance what l had heard
once before that afternoon. She cared
nothing for the hoyish lover, and was
glad to have the engagemen t, broken, bu
the insOlent, unjust words of Mr.. Skid
more had hurt her cruelty.
"Why," she said ~ suppose he hates
me as he hates no one else in the world
'And do you dislike him?'
"Miss Arden, l despise him"
81 am very glad to hear it, believe me, II
and a tall figure strobe past us down the
beach. Miss Carew burst into laugh.
81 have added the last straw now, she
said.
| After that there was not even the sem
blance of politeness between them. Each
ignored the others existence. We walk
ed and talked, and played croquet, indo-
! lently, as before. Mr.. Skidmo1e was al
ways with Victoria Derry, and 1 was
drifting into dangerous liking for one
of our company, man with neither mon.
ey or good-looks. I think we were all
moderately happy, but was alarmingly
so. All through the month we were ia.
vered with fine weather. May Derry said
she was "full to bursting" of pure delight
Living was pleasure, and life a grand
holiday. Once or twice we all went tc
Brunswick tor drive, hut for the most
part OF the time were lying under trees
or In the warm SAND, Crusoe-like, reading
or thinking. All the fishermen have high
tenor voices at Harpswell, and sing song!
| of tho on6 old c%ro = kc
look picturesque. 1t was pleasure enough
10 sit on the rocks, and hear their melody
rising free and unrestrained while the1
mended their nets. It was beautiful, too
to watch the shadows coming over tn,
tree tops, and the hush of night falling OF
all the land.
One night we were out in the boat, ant
Mr.. Price drew in the oars and let tn
boat drift. 1t happened unfortunatel,
that Annie Carew was placed beside MI
Skidmore, making it uncomfortable 70
both. soon forgot it, however, in watch
} ing the beauty Of the beach and ocean il
the mellow, softened light, and drinkin,
in the sweet fragrant air.
) "Such scene as this brings up sleep
} ing memories" said Mr.. Skidmore
, ''With the glamour of this soft beauty o.
> man he might be forgiven for almos
/ any rashness. / am strangely susceptible
to moonlight and the fragrant spring ali
Miss CaIew, won't you favor us with
}. song and break the spell9"
3 1t must have affected him indeed t
speak like that, in that half-tender voic
| to Annie Carew.
!, II shall be happy to oblige you if 20
really desire it.
e ooh, yes, do sing, Miss Carew," sal
r several voices.