New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-21


with. is as ugly az SIN. 1853, o,,ioa codfra-
THAT is a bad business anyway, repned 1odirey.
And IMPRESSED BY this fact. when saturday came
no xVent down to his fathers, not expecting TO eX-
perence much delight from lis lhrouuctioh u Ills
p, Kcitb on his part felt decided curiosity to
ace the Young lady again 1t had become quite
clear TO his mind that cir who was capable OF
sneakinC about him to Mabel III the way III Wnlch
Mabel had asserted she had spoken, was girl who
reouired 10 be taken down. and he was eager, win
the natural eagerness OF Nlrtuous NINA, 10 SCI
himself about this necessary work. 20 he began by
Greeting her when they met IN the most chilling
way. and then kept his attention on the alert that
he might he ready. whichever the hrSt opportunity
offered 10 nut her down as she deserved.
Buf the hours passed, and Miss Hart was so quiet
that the opportunity for which he watched was
eIoU 10 come She sat at the dinner table. and IN
the DRAWN groom. the most unOOtrusl"e OF women,
hardly speaking unless she was addressed ana
speaking then only in the most modest way. She
was bright and alert; but her alerJness showed II
self in acts. not words she was quick 10 perform
little services. TO bring footstoo to MS mother
feet 70 place his fathers newspaper beside hiin 10
plav Mabel's accomplishments when she sang. ana
set in order the things Mabel left awry but all LIS
done in the quletest way. and accompanied loi
the most par, only by little deprecating inqulIIng
grateful kindly smiles. that Il would have been
next to impossible to take offence at. -
She seems to get very well with them all, GER
tanly.' Keith thought TO himself. and TO be very
amiablc and well meaning. II II were not thdl
Mabel Is a gIrl VINO tells the truth
But thenMabel essentially was a girl who told tDe
truth and 80 Keith pcrpeXed 49,
Late IN the evening he came suddenly on MISS
Hart standing alone out of doors by the verandah,
looking at the stars. This seemed to MN oud' lot
he was not romantic and never went star -gazihH
himself in fact, her occupation appeared 10 nun so
queer "A one that he peered at her lnquirngly when
be came upon her IN the dark, and said, Halo
He had come out to smoke cigar, anu was hOl
thinking OF the stars.
Why say, aren't you cold herer lie exclaimed
next moment. c.,
at him and laughed ! have been ialntlng indoors
with your closed windows all night.
Well you have not looked Ike 1t, then ne re-
Piled buntlY. -
You are saying that at hazard. You don't know
how | have looked the young ady rejolned
why should | not know Do you think have
Aud then she laughed again. very softly and with
a peculiar tone, and made DO other response
She was rather a small woman, with n hrn
rounded figure not sylph- like but pretty in its
way and she dressed well. She bad been standing
in the shadow when he first spoke to her but she
came out a step or two beyond the verandah after
his last question: and. az the night was not dark
one he could see something OF her face then
lie waited for a few moments after she had
laughed. looking ut her as he waited with some at
II don't see the fun he abruptly said.
Very likely not, she answered / did not eX-
pect that you wOud'
We'll upon my word said Keith.
Perhaps. as Prudence Hart had chosen to say,
Keith Werner was concerted, but there were enough
GOOD qualities in him. in spite OF his concert 10
make nm hkeable. He was tall and well-ooklng;
he was in general kindly and pleasant. II was 10
tel II.
himself snubhed. and above all 1t was new 10 ma
himself snuboed by a girl whose natural attitude
toward him ought. a. he considered 10 be one OF
Difference and respect. He looked at her for
moment and then he made mp his mind that the
thing must be put STOP to. She mIStook her
place. Tie was gentleman. a. he Was abunuahli y
aware. and she was-nOi quite lady: lie must
therefore give a lesson 10 Ler
20 he let the better part of minute pass. and
then. having taken that time 10 arrange M WORDS;
he delivered himself of grave and, as he hattefeh
a
L don't know from what you draw your conrlu-
sious Miss Hart, he SAID. Gnt. seeing that you
have only been acquainted with me 1cr very
short tine Will you allow me To say that thlnk
vou assume IN yourself power of Judging me that l
am obliged TO request the liberty 10 dispute
What makes you suppose that assume any
mower OF iuugng you she replied TO tnl- address
cuuposedy. but bringing her eyes as she spoke WIN
rather sudden movement down TO Ills lace HON
You dId it just now he said quickly and then
be added not perhaps quite wisely, aud you have
Indeed 2 She returned inquiringly.
i think you can hardly deny IL he SAID.
IT you VIII tell me 10 what You refer she
spoke quite pleasantly then perhaps shah ue
i refer to the opinion which you did me the
honor to express about me to my sister lew Gays
And which she has repeated to. your
Yes, she has repeated 1t To me.
As she has also to peated yours abOut NY
self Mr.. Keith. | am very happy TO be aole TO
meet your charge nth countercharge.' And then
Miss Hart softly chaied her hands, and laughed II
Keith, who did not relish being made ridiculous,
felt very hot while Miss Harris mocklng little
laugh rang on the AR. and II ne could nave sad
something to silence her h@ would unquestonabiy
have said It with will; but sharpedged words
uuhappily viii not always come at need, and so m
/ the Sudden pause while he remained discounted.
Miss Hart first amused herself with her moo XII z
Laughter aud them being for her own part quite
cool aud mistress Of herself. proceeded quietly to
always ind that it is wisest to have very clean
hands before | lndu re IL accusations, she SAID
But perhaps Mr. Keith, You are too young 10
have learnt that lesson vet? Ii -. YOU ought 10
be grateful to me for teaching II 10 YOU. Ana now
Will 20 H. and leave you to smoke your cigar III
peace.
And she went accordingly. quite unmoved by the
clum4y oh come say which were the only
calculations that the exlgency OF the moment had
power TO iorce from keith, unready lips.
lie SAID to himself presently: I'll be even with
her vet But for the remainder If this evening at
any rate she gave him no chance OF being even
with her. When he saw her next. she was knee ing
az his mothers feet picking up stitch that Mrs
Werner had dropped in her knitting. with such an
EXPRESSION OF sweet absorption IN her face that she
looked an incarnation of all the domestic virtues
and never until she babe him goodnight, either
purposely or by accident. did she allow herself to
come within spealng dlstdLce of him again.
He on ,hls part. however. was pursued good
deal by the thought OF her, and found himself
watching her almost against his will. Also, which
was curOns, when Mabel sp0kt 10 him next ahont
Miss Hart az she did upon the following morning
explaining on her character with much lTankness
as she walked 10y his side to church, he MADE no
return of condolences, and Mabel remained IN com
plee ignorance of the little passa geat-arms that he
and Prudence had had together the previous night.
In fact he made mention at all OF that encounter
in the garden.
You have seen so little of her yet, Mabel said to
him: but IN spite of her plannesS. do really
think Won VIII like her in time. for am sure she Is
clever You have no idea how Ouservant she u!
am afraid to tell mamma for am not sure II she
would like it: bat size l. such mimic that she
sometimes makes me DIE oi laughing; IL Is a plly
that She Is not prettIer Is IL not think some
times that if she were uice-OOkIng she might be
very effective You consider her quite plain. SUP
nose said Mabel looking up Inqulrngly 10 Keith $
lace and perhaps not longing very ardently to
hear her suggestion dlsaliOwed.
But Keith he>Itated "A little.