Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-05-12
A SHOWER.

Mrs. Travers morning room was the
ideal of luxurious elegance, and the
lady herself made charming picture
az she lay back, amid the crimson
cushions of her cozy easy-chair. One
daintily-slippered foot impatiently pat
ted the carpet, and an indignant flush
dyed the clear olive Of her cheeks, as
she closely scrutinized the countenance
of the rooms other occupant, her hand
some brother Hugh.
He was standing by the fire, one arm
resting on the low, marble mantle, an
amused smile curving his lips, as he
regarded his irate sister.
Mrs Travers, in her intent search OF
his face, saw the smile, and then the
Was Of her wrath burst on the head OF
the unlucky offender.
II declare, Hugh Castlemon, you are
the most provoking mortal | ever saw, I"
she exclaimed with a flash other spark
ling black eyes Just see how you
are spoii;ug all my plans by your stu
pid obstinancy. have written and in
yited Eleanore Vance here, and stated
particularly that you are staying with
me, and were anxious to meet her.
sent the letter Yesterday, and row
she'll come and find you gone OF
course, she'll know that you only went
to avoid her, and what will she think ?
Don't stand there smiling at me in that
tantalizing kind of way, Tor | have no
patience with you at ALL
And, with a toss of her lefty braids,
Mrs. Travers frightened the rose color
ed cord girding her pearl-gray robe de
chambre, while Hugh broke out in lit
tie laugh
"Why, sister mine, you don't know
how well your little temper becomes
you" he said, smiling down into the
flushed face, But, seriously, Flossie,
! don't see why you should fly into n
tantrum because | take a jaunt to the
country for recreation from the duh
cares of a lawyers office.
Recreation, indeed y exclaimed the
lady, with an impatient gesture.
Don't, Hugh-don't run away with
the idea that | believe anything like
that for am we'll aware that YOU are
only going to avoid meeting Eleanor
Vance, though why you should do so
is an impenetrable mystery to me-"
The gentleman made an impatient
movement.
well, Flossie, | acknowledge that is
my reason for taking myself oil Just
about now he responded, look Of
seriousness settling on his face. "Why,
do You suppose that would stay here
for a moment, playing the devoted to
Miss Vance, simply because she is an
heiress? or that | would consent to
stand quietly by while she coolly meas
ured my physical and mental qualities
with a view to matrimony? Heaven
forbid And, Flossie, must say that
in the matter Of a wife, prefer to do
my own selecting, and certainly my
choice would never be one who could.
in the slightest manner. appear as a
husband hunter
Observation-Disclosures, indeed - eXcaim-
ed Mrs. Trayers, now thoroughly angry.
"AS if Eleanor Vance, the heireSS, with
the beauty and accomplishments that
she possesses, would stoop to such a
thing Oh !" sarcastically, II think It
most excellent idea of yours, this
going away-for, should you stay here,
and Eleanor just chance to smile on
YOU. your insuterahle conceit would
Immediately construe it into an ayowal
of love 1t is certainly blessed escape
for her.
And, with this Parthian shot Mrs
Travers and her sweeping train sailed
maiestcally from the apartment.
Hugh gave a long, low whistle as his
sisters plump form disappeared
through the doorway, and then laughed
softly to himself; for he knew that the
pretty matron's little temper would
soon be over, and that bv dinner-time
she would he her own lively self again
While all this was taking place in the
Travers mansion, the subject of the
conversation was bending her golden
head over FloSsies letter The pleasant,
shatty contents brought smile to the
sweet Young face, but suddenly the
smile vanished, and, with puckered and
compressed lips, Eleanor read the con-
GLIDING paragraph of the close-written
eplstle
Ma Cht7Tt. ran on, in Mrs. Travers
gliding chirography, You have SO
often promised to pay me a visit that
now | am going to insist on the fulfill
ment Of your word, especially a. Hugh
is with Us. You remember his like
ness, that | showed you while we We're