Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-08-05

see now 1t was gong to end. Shad Ryle
told Rachel so. -
"Everybody's talking about it," h
said to her.
"Let them talk" she replied, with
toss of the head.
"They say they don't see how it is t,
end" said Shad Ryley.
81 know how it is to end" she sal,
softly, and turned away with q sigh-no
an unhappy one by any means, for sh.
had made up her mind to be Mrs Ryley
and, despite Pats shyness, she was con
tident it would all come right.
"In matrimony, I suppose, said Sha6
Ryley.
1T shan't be my fault if it doesn't,
she retorted as bold as brass.
They had grown into the habit of talk
ing to each other in this fashion. Sht
knew we'll enough that Shad Ryley lovec
the very ground she walked upon, and
that she could be rs saucy to him as sh {
pleased; but she had discovered that il
would not do to be too soft and confidine
to this strong man, who was ready to
take advantage of any feminine weakness
into which she might be betrayed. :.
Rachel" said Shad, "dont YOU see
that Pat isn't exactly that is to
say"
"Isn't in love with me ?" INTERRUPTED
Rachel, defantly. els that what YOU
are trying to say?'
eyes; that's what was trying to say"
"Don't you think I can make him in
love with me?'' she asked, turning her
melting eyes upon Shad.
"Indeed, and I think" he replied
with much tenderness, "that you could
make stone love you if you cared to
try"
"Well, then!" she exclaimed. as
though that settled the question. She
was secretly pleased with him for his
dattery, which was at once insidious and
sincere.
He grew cool presently and returned
to the attack.
''But don't you think, Rachel, that
you are little too-that is, that Pat is
! little too
She helped him out of his difficulty
again.
~"That am little too old for Pat :? is
that what you are trying to say?''
He nodded, somewhat terrified. for he
expected q storm. No small matter to
trltle with woman's age. But she met
the attack bravely.
"That is our affair, Pats and mine.
If We are satisfied, who business is it?"
"Nobodys, said Shad Riley, "and
I'm fool for my pains. Forgive me"
He held out his hand, she accepted it.
He gave her fingers brotherly squeeze;
she returned it with a sisterly pressure
$50 you have finally and positively made
up your mind to be Mrs. Riley?"
"That is just it, Shad.''
"Say it again. he cried. 1t was the
first time she had addressed him by his
Christian name alone; hitherto it had
been Shad Riley or Mr.. Riley.
essay what again ?" she inquired, star
tied by his vehemence.
"Shad."
"Wel, there-Shad! What harm is
there in it? We're going to be brother
"And there's no turning you? You
are determined to be Mrs. Ryley %
eff I am not I'll live single woman
all the days of my ife."
There's no help for it then," said
"Give me kiss on it, He took one.
"ANAOIAo Wo1CIIS 1O1 peiul1SSlOn-a lOV-
ing, warm kiss, which made her palpi-
tate. "You are woman of your word,
and willy-nilly, must be satisfied"
She did not quite know what to make
OF this. He accepted the loss of her too
lightly, she thought. He should have
sighed and pulled a long face; he should
have gone protesting and appealing.
cru punish him for it." she said to her
self. "He shall have no more KISSES"
But his ardent embrace had disturbed
her; never in her Life had she been pas
sionately kissed, and she could not help
thinking that Shad Ryley was proper
man. Ii it had been suggested to her
that it was possible a woman could have
loved two men at one time she would
have Indignantly repealed the insinua-
ton. 1t IS really an open question.
Love has never yet been properly ana
lyzed, nor have it's limits been accurately
ascertained and defined.
From the date of this conversation the
aspect of affairs underwent change.
Pat became less coy, although he still
held off; but he appeared to be warming,
and Rachel Cary absolutely forced kiss
from him that is to say, she shamed
one from him. She had to thank Shad
for it. He twitted his brother in her
presence for his over-modesty, and said
that women loved men either to treat
badly or to be little too bold. Either
course set them on fire, if they loved
fellow; and Shad declared that to behave
as Pat was behaving, neither one thing
nor the other, was absolutely shameful.
"Give her a kiss, Pat" he cried; ''for
my part, I don't care fig!" Here he
snapped his fingers. 81 love her better
than you do, though shell not believe it.
But what care how fair she be, if she
be not made for me?' That's what the
old song says, isn't it? Look here now.
l join your hands-Pat has a pretty
hand, hasn't he?-and give you both
brothers consent and blessing. Will
that satisfy you, Rachel Cary? Giving
my heart away so freely? But I wouldn't
give you to anybody. but by brother Pat.
Mind that I'd fight anybody else for
you, that I would, if he were the best
man in the world But I can't fight my
own brother Pat, even though you've
set your heart on him and given him the
place I ought to hold. know, by my
own feelings, that love can't be con-
troled. You do like me little bit, don't
you, Rachel?"
eyes, do, Shad," she said, some
what confused, "more than little bit"
And she cast sleeps eyes at Pat, who
was looking earnestly at the pair of them.
II must be contented with that" said
Shad. "I believe if Pat were out of the
way you would say, 'Shad, my man,
here's my hand, for you are bound to
become Mrs. Ryley-you've pledged
your word to it. Come, confess If you
were not so much in love with Pat, I
should have chance. Honest, now, or
Ilnever believe there sfaith in woman! !"
Indeed, Shad Ryley," said Rachel,
overcome by his vehemence, "you are
not entirely wrong"
(Which means that I am entirely
right. Kiss her, Pat, and seal the bar
gain. I'll turn my head"
Rachel looked SO bewitchingly and
beseechingly at Pat, that he mustered