The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-08-04

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
a shy look of concern at the red side of
his face, for her rude reception of him;
and ventured to ask what his idea was
for dressing in his younger brothers.
clothes?
''Miss Hepworth, said John, with
the sharpness of rising anger, sdo you
really think that /, John Redpath.
would come here in the character of
my brotherP''fs
mot exactly in his character, you
know. But. really" (yiewing 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 nom
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, y
said John, confident that now things
would be settled in a moment.
''Well, you needn't have come for
that, john replied Mary, growing
very red, ''for | shouldn't give hair
of my fathers head for dozen suits of
yours"
IL mean you will let me urge my
suit with your father, won't you, Mary
dear2' 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 insultingl A moment ago you had
the kindness to tell me that you pre-
ferred your suit to my father, as if there
was 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 a mistake, y
pleaded John, rushing up to her and
placing his hands over her mouth. Il
don't mean-I mean-you know want
you, Mary-I mean the-my suit for
you, my marriage, wedding-that kind
of thing!n
"You have courage to present your
Golf a NV f,,tura nj -, fb;s s1-
flint suit? No, John, 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"
80! 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 a
moment John WINGED perceptibly under
her witticism. Then anger got the
better of him.
His look was annihilating as he said
II guess you've got some other fellow
in your eye, Maryp"
'Yes, John, l have" replied Mary,
thinking of the man she would like
him to be, and watching the effect of
her words with a little pleasure
John WINGED. But he hoped the gold
ring in his pocket might yet reverse her
decision. s.Won't you take this ring,
Mary, and let that other gop' he beg
ged. humbly.
'.No, John, I'd rather have the
other fellow"
1t was said so very quietly and with
such determined '.the other fellow
that John knew there was no hope for
him. He would nave liked nothing
better than fighting his fortunate rival.
Swallowing his daggers which made
his voice sound harsh and fierce he
said:
'If you've got some one else, I 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 makesuch sacrifice. But,
ofAcourse, 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"
'sAll 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 cheerful mood
She had intended to break him of his
vanity, and then marry him; for there
was everything that was good and gem
erous in John, and it never occurred to
her that they could do without each
other. And now he was gone, thimble,
needle-box, ring and all.
Mary didn't cry. The hope that
Sarah had gone as usual to prayer
meeting, and in the meantime Johns
anger would abate and his love return
TO her, held its own against the bitter
ness of self-approach and regret.
But when the next day wore on, and
the evening was far advanced, and the