Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-06-30
GaIss a1.oI Sketfbes.


linn IN secret trembie, VI what was ne
thinking when he swung in the hammock
She had taken her position, and she would
stand by it. But supposing he should dd
something final and desperate
What was it all about? Nothing A
trifie in the beginning. Matte was some
times unreasonable. and had taken upon
herself to be jealous.
"You are your own MASTER" she said
to him. lsYou can do as you like. II
you actually prefer Miss Grierson ] have
nothing more to say--only, you cannot
wear her colors and mine, You know"
Wear her colors.' repeated Tom. 81
was civii to the girl. What would you
have me do? Conduct myself like a Hot
tcntot to. every woman but you'"
This was precisely, / am afraid, what
would have suited Matte; but of course
she answered briskly:
Conduct yourself as you choose
am not debating to you. / only propose
to regulate my behavior by yours"
II think you are trying to make me
angry"
mot at ALL"
"Butswhat have done? + it because
Iplayed a game of croquet with her when
she asked me ?''
''She asked you. But dare say she
is bold enough
"She is very nice girl" and Toms
eyes began to sparkle.
"She has fine taste. She admires you. "
"As do her.
"Oh, very well. have no wish to in
terfere,'' retorted Matte, brayely forcing
back tear or two; and just at this most
unsatisfactory stage somebody interrupted
them, and Tom walked away not Il little
angry. He vowed to himself that Matte
was fool, and he would never have be-
lievcd Il of her 4; at the same time he was
inclined to humor her in a sulky way.
He would take his horses and drive over
the country for day or two. Matte
could hardly be jealous of that, and when
he came back she might be civil. But
where there is gunpowder, the spark is
sure 10 fall. AT any other time he would
have met old Mrs. Simpson but then and
there, Matte looking out from the piazza,
he encountered Miss Grierson going to
croquet.
Miss Grierson was coquette, and she
hated Matte. Quick as thought she hand
ed hira her mallet.
Tam so glad met you. Mr. Musgrove.
/ was looking for a champion to fight my
battles. Edna and Major Willis have
challenged me, and declare they will beat
me and any partner may find out OF the
field. You will help me won't you? |
have wagered Edna box of gloves on
it,
As Tom said. what could man do?
He would rather not have gone with her
under Mattie's veiy eyes, and he did
determine to treat her with polite in
diffeKence But Miss Grierson made the
mostsof her opportunities, and after all
Tom;was not the man to bear too heavy
hand on the curb When she poised her
little arched foot on the ball was he not to
admire? When she laughed at him with
merry malice, and followed him about
the field with playful taunts. and teased
and badgered him at every stroke, making
all IL, time the prettiest little picture her
self, his grim look softened in spite OF
HIMSELF and how could he helpit? Where
one pretty girl frowns the next who smiles
looks so much the sweeter, YOU know.
Or. at least, Tom thought so. These
are The arguments from his side OF the
question, YOU understand. Mattie's view
was different. When he shoudered Miss
Grierson's mallet she took it as defiance.
and was strongly tempted to go away and
cry but pride told her to stay and look on
and pride proved an unwise counsellor.
Every pretty art in the Grierson was IA
fresi, stab. Every gesture of Toms a fresh
proclamation that he cared nothing about
her: He had never looked better in Mat
ties eyes. but she told herself that "ihis
was the end" She did not really believe
thak it was the end. Somewhere lurked
,nt hot T.l,,, ,x-rp1I bup,l,1a hin, self
and make his peace. But she was careful
not to put this belief in words, and only to
say to herself over and over again that all
was done between them; and when Tom
came in, very nearly restored to good
hupor. and began tc pull over her spools,
she took them away from him and rose at
once.
81 told you," she said, in a low, steady
vosce. THAT you could not wear both col
ors. but must choose. | understand that
yon have chosen. and | withdraw my
clGam." And with that she slipped n cer-
tain ring from her finger aud dropped it
into his hand.
For moment Tom stood looking from
the ring to her in sort of stupid surprise.
ard Mattie's heart beat high. Now would
be seen how much he loved her; and 1
suspect that something like triumph
showed, after all. in her face. pale and
quivering as It was. for his smouldering
wrath suddenly blazed. He rose also
and with u look in his eyes she had never
seen before.
1T shall be exactly rs YOU please" he
said. 81 dis,lain to justify myself, But,
il, at any time, you should repent of your
present injustice, you will find me as you
always have done. at your command"
Then he made low bow and walked
away. leaving her very much as if the
earth had suddenly swallowed every one
who belonged to her. Miss Grierson
called to hint but he passed her without
answer, and flung himself into the ham,
mock swinging between the two naples !;
and Matte stood looking after him. as we
found her atthe beginning of our story.
What would he dop Should she 60 to him? ?
No, never. at was he who had offered
the offence. I; Meantime if she could but
have knownsit. these were precious mo-
ments, for as Tom lay sulkily swinging
to and fro. n cherry voice hailed him.
''Good BYE, Tom; I'm off for an hour.
''Off," ecaoed Tom and then struck by
n sudden ,houvht ssHow will you oct