The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-08-04

The confused and indignant eXclama-
tons which burst from Mary's lips
ended in peal of laughter. If Marys
conduct was not sufficiently dampen-
ing, Mary's grimaces, as she retreated
to the farthest corner of the room, were.
For the first time in his life John did
not know what to do with his hands
and feet.
When Mary's enjoyment of the
ridiculous had exhausted itself in ring
ing laughter, she excused herself, with
shy look of concern at the red side of
his face, for her rude reception of him.
and yentured to ask what his idea was
for dressing in his younger brothers
clothes?
Miss Hepworth," said John, with
the sharpness Of rising anger, "do you
really think that 1, John Redpath,
would come here in the character of
my brother?"
'Not exactly in his character, you
know. But, really" (viewing him
again with an ill-concealed SMILEY
''really, everything is too small but the
hat, and that's too big"
''Look here, Mary, no more non
sense. haven't this suit on for moth
ing. mean business; will you listen?"
Mary looked expectant and ready to
hurl another shaft of ridicule.
"You must know, Mary, that I've
come to prefer my suit to your father,
would be settled in moment.
''Well, you needn't have come for
that, john" replied Mary, growing
,.n1 I chf,p11,Nff bn,
of my fathers head for dozen suits of
yours"
81 mean you will let me urge my
suit with your father, won't you, Mary
dear?" persisted John, himself puzzled
and ready to talk plain country talk if
this last effort at formality failed.
1t did fail
Mary placed distance between them
as fast as the room would allow. With
her eyes flashing anything but love, she
shouted across the room;
John Redpath, you are intolerable
and insulting! A moment ago you had
the kindness to tell me that you pre-
ferred your suit to my father, as if there
was a probability of his being yours!
Now, you suddenly seem to have such
a contempt for your suit that you want
him to rid you Of it! 1t is an unheard
Of
"Hush, Mary! Dear Mary! Con-
found it, Mary! It's all mistake"
pleaded John, rushing up to her and
placing his hands over her mouth. 81
don't mean-I mean--you know want
you, Mary-I mean the-my suit for
you, my marriage, wedding-that kind
of thingr
"You have courage to present your
self as my future husband in this skin
flint suit? No, John, l won't marry
you. As long as you don't show the
sense and stability of a man in your
outward appearance | expect less from
the man within" replied Mary, keep
ing her lover at bay with severe look
John bit his lips. 1t was his time to
get mad at such womanish ignorance
of mems style. That's all you know
about style, Mary. Wait till you see
the fellows ape me when"
go! one of the species is quite
enough for me to lose my respect for
all. So don't pride yourself on your
noble array of followers"
That arrow struck home. For
moment John WINGED perceptibly under
her witticism. Then anger got the
better of him.
His look was annihilating as he said:
Il guess you've got some other fellow
in your eye, Mary?"
Eyes, John, l have" replied Mary,
thinking of the man she would like
him to be, and watching the effect of
her words with little pleasure.
John WINGED. But he hoped the gold
ring in his pocket might yet reverse her
decision. won't you take this ring,
Mary, and let that other go?" he beg
ged, humbly.
''No, John, I'd rather have the
other fellow"
1t was said so very quietly and with
such determined 1.-THE other fellow"
that John knew there was no hope for
him. He would have liked nothing
better than fighting his fortunate rival
Swallowing his daggers which made
his voice sound harsh and fierce he
said:
eff you've got some one else, should
just like to have the presents l gave
you when was boy. 1t means mad
for good this time
Mary started. She was not quite
prepared to make such sacrifice. But,
of course, Mary was too proud now to
recall anything, and she really had
made up her mind not to have John, if
he stuck to his vanities.
After few minutes absence, in
which John felt himself the most mis-
cradle of men. Mary re-appeared,
with her hand full of trinkets.
His hope that she would cry and then
make up, as they did years ago, re-
ceived its death blow in the soft but
determined voice in which she said:
'Here, John, is your iron thimble,
your tin needle-box and your brass
ring"
"All right, Mary Hepworth. Maybe
you'll be sorry for this. I'm going
straight to your cousin Sarah, where /
know my suit will be more welcome"
With this he dashed out of the gate
and up the road toward Sarah's home,
leaving Mary leaning against the win
dow in anything but q cheerful mood.
She had intended to break him of his
vanity, and then marry him; for there
was everything that was good and gen
erous in John, and it never occurred to
her that they could do without each
Afh l. Il