The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-03-23

Florry, which were just a shade to
conspicuous, and which seemed t
cause Mrs. Toogood some anxiety
But on the fourth day somethin
happened which was quite cestain t
happen sooner or later. Florry grey
tired Of her red-haired admirer an
took up with a more recent arrival
AS soon as dinner was over, | sav
Percival make for the sofa upol
which she was sitting with his sup
planter; | saw her look up at hin
over her fan with that air of innocen
surprise and inquiry which she know
so well how to assume when it suit
her purpose; and then, after saying
few words to her, he suddenly whisk
ed round upon his heels and cam,
striding towards the fireplace, with {
scowl upon his face which BODIED ne
good to the Dresden shepherdess on
the mantelpiece. Evidently the de.
sire to break something was strong
upon him; but he spared the china
All he did was to snatch up the poker
and begin hammering at the Goals
with violence which sent some red
hot cinders flying ont on the hearth
rug. This was certainly breach of
good manners; and when mildly asked
him what was the matter. he inquired
savagely what the devil | meant by
that-which was worse. However.
he begged my pardon presently, and l
said it was of no consequence.
On the following morning we went
out after the partridges again, and |
don't think ever in all my days saw
a man shoot so wildly as Percival did,
He had started in bad temper, and
the worse he shot the more angry be
became. Every body who spoke to
him got sworn at for his pains, and
he ended by pulling up in the middle
of turnip-feld, pitching his gun
half.a-dozen yards away, and march,
ing off with his hands in his pockets.
growing and muttering to himself.
Dear me!' said Toogood. rubbing
his head, as he gazed after his retreat
ing guest, 'how ridiculous it is to be
sure! Fancy man of his age behav-
ing like spoiled child in that way"
"Ah," said Moreton. Il told you
how it would be- Now you'll see.
He'll go back to the house and kill the
first person he meets -
Il suppose | ought to go after him."
sighed Toogood ruefully.
But said | would go; and my offer
was accepted with alacrity.
''Do, like a good fellow, Oliver" au-
swered Toogood; Il believe you can
qniet him down better than anybody"
The truth is our irascible friend had
taken rather fancy to me- Far be
it from me to suggest that my own
personal attractions were not amply
sufficient to account for this; still, /
have observed that, when I happen to
be staying in the same house with
Florry Neville. men often do take
fancy to me. | don't know why they
should imagine that because she is my
cousin it is worth their while to worm
themselves into my good graces; but
the fact remains that they do.
I overlook Percival in the adjoining
field, where he had stopped short and
waited for me, after having been
shouted at three or four times.
swell" he said, looking anything
but amiable, whats the row? What
do you want?"
Il have brought you your gum"
said [; 'you may want it again per-
haps. I'm not quite up to the mark
myself to-day, so thought might
as well walk home with you"
This soft answer seemed to have
desired effect of turning away his
wrath. He laughed and clapped me
rather heavily upon the shoulder,
saying, Upon my word. Oliver, you're
an awfully good little chapr' =.
That is what one gets by being
good -natured. | may be quite as
about my diminutive stature
as some other people are abont their
red hair; but because | don't fly into
tantrums man thinks nothing of
calling me "a good little chap;'
whereas if | had said, for instance.
You aren't bad sort of a red-headed
duffer, Percival. after ALL" I'suppose
he would simply have torn me to
pieces.
1.-The fact of the matter is. he went
on confdentially, that have devil
of a temper.
He looked as if he expected me to
express some surprise; SO l said,
Have you really?"
Yes. I can control it pretty well
generally; but every now and then it
gets the upper hand of me. And it is
irritating to go out for a mornings
shooting and not be able to touch
feather, isn't itP"
said there was no doubt Of that
Besides which, | have had other
things to annoy me-annoy me most
confoundedly,' he went on, frowning
and clenching his fists in a manner
which | afterwards found was habit
ual to him. What do you think Of
Miss Neville?" he asked abruptly.
What do you think Of her? Per-
haps you don't know she is my cous-
in, | answered.
"Oh, yes, do; that's why | ask
You ought to know something about
her. Is she a humbug? Is she
the sort Of girl to lead man on and
then throw him over? That's what |
mean
And then, to my amazement, he
proceeded to state that he had made
up his mind to marry Miss Neville;
that she had given him to understand
that his attentions were not disagree
able to her: and that he wanted to
know whether she was the girl he had
taken her for, or nothing but hirt y
Because" he concluded, Il do hate a
hirt."