The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-11-22

SUNDAY afternoon came out upon
the church steps TO find Jane there,
looking in a new spring bonnet, and
rain falling heavily. She gazed about
in dismay as the people. one by one.
departed, and the sexton began shut
ting the doors. Ii was then that,
summoning up all nv resolution,
advanced, with my heart in my
mouth. and said:
Miss Porter, | believer
! "Yes." she replied, regarding Inc
suspiciou-lv.
IF YOU will allow me-ofier YOU
share of-umbreila,' | gaspe:l out.
"You are very kind don't know
i expected my brother, but"
Meanwhile | hail been opening my
umbrella, and now stepped alongside
and offered my arm. With GOV and
guarded air she took it. As she placed
her small. mi!ted hand in the crook
of nv elbow, | felt Il Utilization that
tingled all through me To the very
ends of my toes. When we arrived
at her house il rained 30 very har,l
that Jane hal no alternative but to
ask me in. | needed M second bii-
ding. On entering the parlor, we
found Mrs Porter. a lar-e and i'm
posing woman with manly air,
enthroned in IN easy chair.
This" said Jane, presenting me,
lis Mr. Pettibonc he has been kind
enough to bring me home"
Oh" exclaimed Mrs. Porter. Civ
ing me searching look, and adding
! in con,lecending tone, ..he Is very
good pray 81 r he &c ,ted!"
She pronounced the short cere-
,nonial title with such ponieroas
roll of the ''r" that il seemed rather
awful appellation. amt | sat down with
Il gnailed and guilty feeling
! Il wasn't ass-e." she went on.
'that You were acquainted with my
daughter"
IL wasn't, but lit rained 81
very hard"
Il couldn't STAY there all night.
and nobody came for ma am sure
il WIS extremely kinl Of Mr.. Petit
bone, and | am very much Obliged
10 him whether he was acquainted
with me or not" intcrpnsed jane
sharply. drawing her mothers fire.
Il remarked" returned the latter
lady. in powerful baritone voice, Il
remarked, Miss Porter, that the
gentleman was very good; but" sine
added, with great emphasis and >igni-
iicance. 1.-The question is TO the pro-
priety of receiving such marked kind
ness from strangers.
"If am to be left tn the mercy Of
strangers, | shall accept their kind
ness. and gratefully, too" retorted
Jane, shutting her lips very tight
Il was about to remark, Miss
Porter. if YOU had given me the
opportunity, but your father and
brother are both absent, and you can
hardly expect that /"
"Oh, no; no, indeed | never for n
moment INDUCED i'm any such fond
delusion, interrurte l Jane in IN iron
ical tone.
This little episode between Jane and
her step-mamma, seemingly SD trivial.
proved of the utmost importance to
me. Driven to undertake nv defense
by the criticism of her imposing
relative, Jane was led perversely to
take an interest in me which might
otherwise have vainly striven to
awaken, and | was rewarded on leav-
ing with a cordial invitation to call.
[ was not slow in awaiting myself OF
the privilege, but the first time
Went. and while was sitting in the
parlor, with my heart all in hut;er.
waiting Jane TO come down. the door
opened. and who should walk in but
the red-headcd youth. Here was Il
situation. He coolly stared ut me. ]
fiercely glared at him. He took No
notice of this, hut threw himself
familiarity into a chair and crossed his
legs. as though he had come for the
evening. This was more than could
stand.
"Sir," | sail, inhamed with wrath
and jealousy, "there is one too many
of us here. | came on an invitation
if you are going TO stay, / will leave.
"Eh Who the devil are YOU ?
he exclaimed, with impudent sang
froid.
IL! No matter who / am, sir.
We two cannot stay in this house to
gether, that's ALL" l cried, starting
from my seat in transport.
At this minute Jane came in. She
shook hands cordially, smiled, and
then, turning toward the red-headed
youth, said, "This is my brother, Mr..
Petitioner