The Osceola times., 1879-11-22
MATS LUCK.

room seemed as oppressive as a cage.
He threw open the French windows,
drew long breath, and thrust his ting-
srs into the pocket of his shooting coat,
Gllipg naturally into a careless, lounging
attitude peculiar to him. The fingers
came in contact with note and idly
brought il TO light. 1t was addressed in
womans handwriting to Matthew
Curtis, Esq, NJ. d." grim smile played
about that gentlemans lips as he reflect
ed how unsuited was that formal super
scription to the jovial, reckless, good
for-naught, known TO rich and poor for
miles around as young Mat Curtis.
With a listless air he drew forth the
brief inclosure. His face darkened as
he perused it.
Miss Agnes Bellue would be glad to
have few minutes conversation with
Mr.. Curtis"
"Lover-like-veryw commented Mat,
sarcastically.
Another glance at the delicate paper
and the firm, square handwriting the
dark look hardening the while, until the
character of the face seemed completely
altered.
Look at it," quoth Mat. Her hand
never trembled; there is not a wavering
stroke. Why. most girls would cry their
eyes out while writing such q note as
that TO their lovers"
He crushed the offensive missiyc into
a crumpled ball rs he spoke, and ad-
dressed few more unapostolic eXple-
tives TO the fair sunshine, expletives pc
culiarly unbetitting a clergyman's study,
"a "A
noiselessly entered in time indistinctly
10 catch them.
YOung-not more than twenty, per-
haps, but with a serene and queenly
grace Of movement, gravely beautiful
iace-ln air, just now, Of naughty dis
gust.
Pardon me- she said, icily; 80 in
teresting conversation with yourself
was probably of a confidential nature
Mat turned with flaming face, a
quick, deprccating gesture, a courteous,
apologize bow ana speech, that some
how in their confused humility stamped
him as a gentleman.
Il trust, indeed, YOU did not hear it;
| earnestly crave your forgiveness if you
did"
She contemptuously dismissed the
matter with the slightest wave of little
leweled hand. Cold hard, proud she
looked. and her words had n clear-cIt
articulation, suggestive of newly clipped
coins.
Il sent for you
Yes" answered Mat, deiiantly. Ills
bcnitencc was dying away, and the dark,
hard expression was returning. Just
INV Incl. ~ IL seemed Ia repplt.
To be- an answer 10 three questions
continued Miss Bellue.
Mat bowed, thrust his hands INTO the
decp shooting pockets once more, and
resumed the lounging attitude.
Have YOU entered your name, not
withstanding my protest, as gentle
man rider for the autumn Heeple-
chasesP
Yes
Have you, in truth, gone back 10 the
old habit Of dropping into the barley
corn two or three nights in the week
how superb was the ring OF scorn IN her
voicev To- drink ale and smoke in company
with the Doors there"
"Yes." repeated Mat, sturdlly.
is il indeed true that, on leaving ne
inn last night, YOU involved yourself III
Il poaching affray, actually knocking
down a keeper and helping poacher 10
escape"
YES" says Mat, with Il kind of sullen
despair e,
Miss Bellue drew something from her .
white hand and held ii out. Mechanic
ally Mats hand came ont of the poke,
and erasped it. II was an engagement
ring.
They looked at each other, q curious .
contrast in the two faces Hers com F.
nosed. calm. haughtily indifierent-his .
blanklv astonished, angry, aeltated' by /
turns. 49,,
huskily. ., /
The serene beauty-thc quiet determl- .
nation OF her face answered hlIn.
aCan Won not make allowances he /.
cried. Can YOU not understand Una.
mad Young blood like mine must ma
some excitement greater than making F.
oils and powders and lotions, or creep |
INC through sick rooms all dayp'
II WAS painful to see how he watched
her while he spoke, and noted the same
fixed, mute answer.
"At least let me explain. can do 50
to your satisfaction, / think" he said,
iubiousy. Return IT to your hnger
and reserve Judgment until you near
NV defense" And he held the ring III
great clumsy hand. that tremp'e' so'''e-
what. H.
Still no reply. A faint shake OF ihe
head, look of polite incrednlty-'h''
was all.
"Do YOU not ,are?" he asked:
His appealing eyes searched her lace.
II aid moi change. Beautiful, impertuf-
bable the sentence written there never
varies His unsteady fingers droppea
the ring: but he let il Law, hali-buried III
a rug. Then. with stern look, he sc,
his foot upon it, and, bowlng' "a'ke'
from the room. -, ,;-
On leaving the house he looked nei,
ther IA ,he right nor TO the left, ms hean
erect and his hands out of his pockets
For once startling transformation
Young Mat Curtis looked positively aH-
nifed. ,.e,r.
As he vanished, a. startling 'ran1 hI
nation took place in the room nc iia'
left. Miss Bcllue proved herself wo-
man and not queen, by series oi ~
lions essentially feminine. firs', snc
rescued the love token from the noori
then she kissed il and cred over II,
then she rushed upstairs to walci ne,
lover out of sight. She locked uhlii
turn in the road hid him from y,em, ,r,e,,
But he never once looked back, lhea
Miss Belluo sat down on the I,ooraa
most. undigniied position--and s,,.oi en.ea
until her pretty ewes were red ana sWoi
len. -. !. all
ut is over" she moaned. III l. IL"
oyerln
urr.f Nra'r