The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-04-10

Ill explain everything, my dear
Edward" he began, in gentle tones.
"Will you be kind enough to put your
pistol away7 There's good man."
"a coward, toop' quoth Edward.
" Yes, I'll please be kind enough to put
my pistol away. Now explainp'
Mr.. Pendergrast became himself
again. He came to the conclusion that
the other Yas not insane. Something,
then, must need explanation.
" / am not afraid of the thing" said
he. "I only thought yon were insane
and to be pitied, and l am quite ready
to make any reasonable explanation. 1
am not aware of having done anything
unworthy of gentleman"
"Then Maria liesn
Marial I know no Maria. I was
about to call upon your father this
evening"
"Cowardl" scornfully grswled Albert
Pendergrast's visitor. You are too
late. Go on with your scheme. Marry
Maria. My sister despises you, but we
shall bring this thing into court, and
make you suffer for it, sir. The whole
family, sir, have been at the expense of
a voyage to America on the strength Of
your representations. I'll please put
my pistol up like good man; but you'll
hear from me elsewhere. / say you
must have remarkable taste to want
that vixen. Maria Croker, indeed!
wish you much joy of your bargain and
of the lawsuit you'll have on your
hands. 1t would spoil the sport to shoot
you"
And out strobe Edward Croker, leav-
ing Albert Pendergrast in muddle of
bewilderment.
"Maria CrokerI Maria Crokerp he
found himself saying. "And I've in
suited Sophie, and I'm coward. Why
didn't knock him down? But he must
mean something. 1t can't be Maria
Croker-Sophie's cousin7 Did she mean
that when she told me not to call her
Sophie, and when she asked me that
queer question? What can she be to
drop iuto mans arms like that? pll
have it out with her at once, and she'll
sue me, too. A pretty pickle I shall be
ini But don't care"
Of he went. Took his walking papers
by force from the prefdious Maria in
the presence of Mr.. and Mrs. Croker,
Sophie's uncle and her aunt. The even
ing was not a festive one, but when it
was over he hugged himself with Joy.
He had not known before how he de-
tested the creature. Now he was free.
They might strip him of every cent he
owned, but he was free.
Perhaps Sophie was not a Gorgon ar j
dragon like the other. If only he
could see her alone! But he had no
clew to her residence. Maria, of course,
knew, but Maria wouldn't tell even if
he should ask her. In this quandary he
met, most opportunely, a friend who
knew something of the Crokers, and
casually mentioned that they were iv-
ing in the city. Was Miss Croker with
them? Miss Croker had place az
governess, he had been informed, at q
certain house which he proceeded to de.
signate. Thither repaired Pendergrasi
in hot haste.
Miss Croker was there, and he could
see her. He was shown into room,
Two blue eyes looked up and met his
A lady, surrounded by group of chill.
dren, arose and came to meet him with
great dignity.
:" Mr.. Pendergras.," she said, i" te
what do owe this honor?"
Il have called to make a little ex
PLANTATION"
Her face lightened somewhat. 1t was
much more like the Sophie of long age
than Maria's was.
every well, sir; but don't forget the
audience"
cpl be as brief as possible"
whats brief, Miss Croker?" inter
polated tall girl, who had been stand
ing with her finger in her mouth.
"Short, my DEAR" explained Miss
Croker, mechanically, still giving hel
attention to her caller.
"I met Miss Maria CrUker-no mat
ter how-under the supposition that hel
name was Sophie"
g Miss Croker, how can he be shor
when he's SO big?" insisted the tai
pupil; and "Miss Croker, won't yor
hear me now 2" coaxed one of the othel
children.
But Mr.. Pendergrast went on, under
the battery of eyes more formidable
than Edward Croker's pistol to him
His desperation was great.
promised to marry you under tha
supposition-much against my desire,
really assure you. l could not imagin,
that Miss Croker-Sophie--you under
stand-again-"
els that your. name,. Miss Croker p
asked the tall girl.
eyes," answered Miss Croker, me
chanically, as before.
=" Could have changed SO remarkably
1 have broken with her at once, as 500
as 1 learned the fact"
Miss Croker looked up with a YER
pleasant smile.
Well," said Mr.. Pendergrast, GO
course the past is past"
"Be careful"
Certainly" said Mr.. Pendergrast
inwardly matchmaking the children
"Quite right, Miss Croker. As wa
saying, don't presume on any past re
lations, but really, judging by what
see of you, l hope you understand
| tuOuSh NY AnhS uoSO huooo hSSSooesat -
be cold, / have most sincere regard fo
you, and if you ever could think of m
in the light of future partner"
"What's future partner?" asked tn
tall girl, suspiciously, but neither G
them heard the interruption.
"Sirp cried Miss Croker, 6ercely
but with a dignity Mr.. Pendergras
could not but admire. "How dare 20
insult me? Is it not enough that 20
should have acted so outrageously towar
my sister?
"Not Sophief'
The words formed themselves on NJ
Pendergrast's lips, but he did not uttt
them aloud. Miss Croker's call ha
aroused the house, and he found himse
summarily elected, and in a most ign
minious manner. He had not the spir
to resent anything now. What furth,
explanations could he make? Explain
tions were evidently not his forte. f
went home and buried himself und
his blankets for three days, and whit
he emerged therefrom heard that mi
with firearms had been searching f
him; saw in the columns of the dai
g press mysterious illusions to the comil
breach-of promise trial, and did b
best to await fuller disclosures wi
farf,%rIa