Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-06-19

E one Is lovely, aSSenteQ angie In
the tone of a martyr who dies for the
truth.
So Sidney had compared her to Ma
donna! He would worship her next!
Perhaps he did worship her already!
And why was it the 60 peculiar Duty
of this paragon to seold Sidney? On the
whole, it was wretched morning to
Angie. Zet was helping her mother
about the fruit cake for the festival,
Sidney was overseeing the decoration
Of the public hall and she was left with
Miss Bertha, whose ease and elegance
rebuked her own restless constraint.
The afternoon was yet worse, for with
some flimsy excuse Sidney drew Miss
Huntress away to the library for pro-
longed tete-a-tete, and Zet and Angie
could not practice because of stupid
callers.
It was not till after tea that the two
girs began their duets. Sidney leaned
over Angles chair to turn the music
leaves; discoursing merry nonsense with
herself and Miss Bertha, who sat near
the lamp sewing brass rings upon a cur
tain for the public hall.
Z" appreciate your good intentions,
Sid," cried his sister at last nervously;
s. nevertheless I wish you'd run off,
Your chattering puts us out"
't' Your eloquence distracts our at
tention' would sound more polished,
sisterkin.''
&c Choose your own form of rhetoric,
only leave us! Bertha, use your infiu-
ence. He's bound to do as you say
Bertha won't abuse her rights; she
knows I haven't seen Angie ten min
utes.''
But Miss Converse would rather be
heard than seen just now," said Miss
Huntress, rising with an indolent smile.
&C We oughtst to interrupt the duets"
Fair tyrant! She says go and 1
must be goner responded Sidney, in
an apparent agony of submission.
"Don't take Bertha away. She doesn't t
disturb u.s."
"May be not; but her tarrying be-
hind might disturb me, sisterkin," re-
torted Sidney airily, s'and she'll never
desert Mr.. Micawber.n
As the twain disappeared arm-in-arm,
Zet drew a long breath.
Therer' said she, ''hope we can
play better now I've disposed of him and
his bride-elect.'
Bride-elect?" faltered Angie, strik-
ing false note.
"Yes. Haven't you heardp I sup
posed Sidney had told you. You're out
of time. Angie. Oae-two4 three
four. Now the pedal"
ssWasn't it rather-rather suddenp"
Suddenp the sub-bass? It is writ
ten that way.''
"What you said a moment ago
about Miss Huntress and SidneyP"
t'That? o, yes! was disappointed
at first. Do you know l wanted Sid to
have youp never once thought of Ber-
tina. have my doubts now whether
she is just the one for him; but he ought
to know her better than we do" an
swered Zet between fitful pauses, as she
labored over Difficult passage.
Angie played on mechanically, with
a vague fancy that she was drumming
upon coffin. "Don't you cry, Angie
Converse! Don't you dare to cry" she
kept saying to herself, hammering at
the keys as if her troublesome heart
throbbed beneath and must be paralyzed
by blows. And through all the changes
of the music rang this silly refrain:
'sSidney's tickle, all things show it,
Once you thought SO, now you know It."
But at last they had mastered the
duets to ,Zet's satisfaction, and Sidney
loungedin, ''to accept their apologies, !"
he observed loftily.
Had Bertha finished the curtain? his
sister inquired. He had no convictions
on the subject and Zet went to ascer-
! tain.
Making a movement to follow her,
Angie found herself cleverly penned be-
| tween a rocking-ch and the center
| table.
"Wait little lady, I've something
sweet to tell you -
| 81 know! I know! Zet has an
nounced it. II congratulate you.'
"On the snow-stormp" Sidney looked
trifle puzzled. ..Thank you;s ;sthough
1 don't fatter myself it comes solely for
my benefit
Is Not on the snow-storm. Does it
really snow? I meant to congratulate
you on--on everything
ssKind little soul! was sure you
would be pleased he said, taking her
hands in his, as one might take child s
to warm them. Yes. consider that
I am a very lucky fellow. Bertha is
go yes, certainly! There's no ques-
tion about, it, interrupted Angie hur-
riedly. withdrawing her hands.
.sAn lack now Angie, is snug lit
| tie home and-n
Jets entrance put period to the
sentence.
eff it clears off in the morning,
Angelica, will you go sleighing with
meP' pursued Sidney, as his sister ran
out again for the bed-candles. II want
a long, quiet talk with YOU"
.sI can't! Indeed can't go! must
be home early
ssMust you? Honor brightp Then
we'll ride in that direction, and wei
set out as early as you please. But
what's your haste? Zet said you meant
to take the train. and that doesn't leave
till four in the afternoon"
Angie made some incoherent remark
about not liking to appropriate SO much
of his time.
"Nonsense! My time is at your dis
posal. I'll arrange matters with Bertha
never you fear! She's wond erfullJ
reasonable being! What! shivering
girliep Is the fire so lowP''
s'Fire los0, should sayr' cried Zet
appearing on the threshold with can
d1estick in either hand. The room i.
perfect oven. Shall we go up stairs
now, Angiep Here comes Bertha to say
good night to you.'
As Angie followed Zet up the broat
staircase to Zet's cham ber, which they
were to share together, she hear6
the parlor door close gently upor
Miss Huntress and Sidney and sh'
shivered again. The gentle murmu
of their voices maddened her. Sh'
tried to drown the sound by her owl
footsteps.
81 dare say your old gravel train vii
wake me in the morning. said she
dragging down her crimps at the toile
glass. "When does it begin its trav
elsp'
Somewhere between five and six