The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-08-04

try 1t on, and see how 1t looks.
So it was tried on, and tied, and
looped, and bowed in every conceiva-
BILE shape. admired by Chris and crit.
cised by Jack, who wound up with :
"rll bet two cents you'll look better'n
the whole kit of 'em this afternoon "
Soon after, he took his departure, and
met Valerie on the stairs just going UP
to Chris's room.
Whether good or evil genius took
possession of the boy at this moment
'tis impossible to relate, but he tiptoed
softly back to the door, and applying
his ear to the key-hole, listened dill
igently.
An hour afterward, Keith Falconer,
returning from a gloomy and unsuc-
cessful fishing expedition-Guy was
busy on some critical review or other,
and couldn't accompany him-saw the
lad seated at the foot of the long
avenue of oaks near the road.
A fierce frown distigured the usually
frank, boyish face, and his lips were
compressed in manner not altogether
in keeping with his youth.
"Mr. Falconer, Ishould like to speak
with you," he began, abruptly.
Very well, my boy, what is it?"
Keith asked. encouragingly.
''Its about Val-and'-after a mo-
ment' 8 pause, land Chris
sAhr'
Keith's face suddenly glowed with in
terest.
Il suppose it seems sort of mean to
you for fellow to be down on his own
sister-and hate being tell-tale, too
but when girl tells such lies as Val
told Chris this morning, about things
you said at breakfast, which know you
never said; and twits her about trying
to attract a gentleman attention, who
doesn't care straw for her, and who S
just the same as engaged to somebody
else; and orders her not to stir out of
her room until after this gentleman has
gone; and stamps all over her new
sash which somebody has just given
her.
Here, Jack lip quivers, andhe pauses
a moment.
did your sister say all this to Miss
Christabel?' Falconer asks, gravely.
"Yes, she did, answeredJack, reck-
lessly, '.for l listened! 1 know that's
mean. too, but / don't care. And she
made ma believe Chris was sick with a
cold and couldn't come down, when all
the time she was working on an old
white gown of Walls. and now she's cry
ing"
And Jack breaks down again.
For few moments Mr.. Falconer
looks deeply thoughtful, then takes a
sudden resolution, and makes q con-
fidant of Jack.
The lawn party passes off pleasantly,
and Valerie pronounces it success.
From some distant shrubbery. Jack
glares at her. smiles on
Keith Falconer, and then executes a
for his own private delecta-
ton.
Of course Miss Valerie knows nothing
of all this, and Mr.. Falconer is so amia-
bly, polite, and seems so sublimely
Indifferent to the fact of Chris absence,
that this ambitious maiden confessed to
herself that night. in the solitude of her
own chamber. that she must have been
a little precipitate in supposing he
would care for little chit like Chris.
"But after all twas Just as well to
be on the safe side; men do take queer
fancies sometimes Of course any
such affair is safely nipped in the bud
now!"
And this self-satisfed "nipper
crept smilingly to bed, where she slept
the sleep of the just all night.
The next morning after all the family
except Chris and Uncle Richards had
in the breakfast-room, Fal-
coner le' a. the bomb-shell straight
into thee -ny's camp
"Jack ill you be kind enough to
ask Mis- Christabel to step into the
breakfaS room for few moments ? /
shall be obliged to return to the city to-
day. on the next train, if possible, and
should like to speak with her before
[ 60"
In the CONSERVATION and surprise
elected by the information that he was
to leave so soon, the oddly of his re-
quest passed unnoticed. Ali were clam.
)rous for him to remain, but, during
Jack absence, he contriyed to impress
upon them the fact that urgent business,
whose nature he could more fully ex.
plain in short time, required his i'm
mediate presence.
The numerous regrets were interrupt |
ed by the entrance of Chris, whose pale |
ACE, dull, dropping eyes, and weary,
istless step, formed strong contrast to
Jack. coming in behind her with an ex-
lberant appearance suggestive of walk
NO on air.
Mr.. Falconer turned to her instant
Y, leaving Valerie in the midst of a
-ery pretty, pleading request that he
'emain.
''Miss Christabel, pardon me if what
have to say seems abrupt or prema.
ure to you, but, indeed, feel that
nav have already waited too long. l
'elieve the strongest feeling of my life
o be my love for you, and 1 cannot
cave without asking you to accompany
ne as my wife. Willyou go?"
The brown eyes, dropping before,
we're wide-open enough now. at this
TRANCE wooing, with a pleading, half
,ewildered look, scanning the faces Of
he little group assembled in the room.
Aunt Richards and Cousin Guy ex-
'ressed genuine surprise; Jack. beam
no with delight, was clapping his hands
oftly; and Valerie-one glance at her
face, and the contemptu-
us, scornful curve of her lip, was suffi-