The Red Cloud chief., 1884-03-14

"'hradShaW?" echoed Grace, will
a sudden look of suspicion. What d.
you want with Bradshaw"
ITO tell Angela by what train to ex
pect me, of course" replied Mabelle
nervously, and unsuccessfully essayins
a smile of indifference.
"Why, in the name of common sense
should Angela want to know the train
month beforehand"
"A month! Oh, but l must go the
day after Tomorrow" was the answer,
in a would-be matter-of-course tone.
Nonsense! You are to stay another
month"
Indeed, Grace, I can not I have
been away quite long enough as it is.
1 am sure they would not like me to re-
main so much longer"
"Who said they would?-but zoe
should like you to do SO, and that is
the principal thing" retorted Grace,
unscrupulously. Nov, don't be silly,
MabeIle. 1t is utterly impossible for
you TO 60. Give me hat letter, and let
me tear it up"
, She stretched out her hand toward it,
but MabelIe's little fingers closed upon
il like a wise, and there was anything
but a yielding expression in her eyes.
II know it for a fact" continued
Grace, THAT Mr.. Fordyce told you to
60 away and enjoy yourself as long as
you liked, for you needed q change.
You wrote and told me SO yourself.
Will you deny your dispatches, as
the Opposition say the Government
do?"
at is quite different now," said Ma
belle, hastily. '.And please do not
hinder me. Grace, Dr. my letter will
not be ready for Tom to take it down"
Il am sure | hope it won't, so far as 1
am concerned. You offer me apremium
to stay and interrupt you. Why do you
wish to go? Why this sudden adherence
of us and our society? You said moth
ing about it before"
Mabelle maintained an embarrassed
silence. and Grace continued: .'You
know perfectly well that we all wish
you to stay"
Not ALL" escaped from Mabelle's
lips involuntarily. and she bit them
with vexation, and. folding up her let
ter, said:
lCbSOhSs L lluSt ~ vi
Thursday, and you will be very unkind
and very %unfriendly if You try to pre-
vent it."
Now / know" said Grace. tri-
umphantly. Il Nigh: have guessed
before. 1t is because you want to run
away from Philip, you absurd little
creature"
mo, l don't want to run away from
him. answered Mabelle. miserable in
the consciousness of a burning face
which would not return to its normal
hue.
"Do you mean to say that if Philip
had not returned you would have treat
ed mt in this way?"
Treated you. How unkind you are,
Grace. 1t is absurd to pretend that he
car like me to be here, and whatever
You say, l will not stay. l should be
miserable if l did"
Upon my word! A compliment to
us and our hospitality! Pray what diff
ference do you suppose it can possibly
make to Philip"
:" a not imagine what reason you
can have for raking up the past in this
way when all l wish is to have it for
gotten. You can not forget that my
sister treated yeur brother shamefully,
and he a not have forgotten it, either.
| have never for a day forgotten it.
The very name of Fairfax must be
abominable in his ears, and the sight of
me must be hateful TO him. 1t must
completely spoil his pleasure in being
at home again to be confronted by me
at every turn. 1t is an idea that l cam
not bear. and I am going home; my
mind is made up
'.And what if I told you that YOU
were quite mistaken; that Phil p had
long ago got owe that treatment of
him by your sister, and that he would
as o see you here as any other
''You might tell ME so, but you know
very well that he would not, 1t is of
no use to talk in that way"
Then you are quite decided"
Quite"
''Then 1 shall have to be very cross
with you. Of course | can't hold you
here by ropes and cords, but you need
not suppose that you can treat me in
this way with impunity. l Am of q
most revengeful temperament. Send
your letter; oh. by all means, send your
letter! There are ever SO many more
on the hall table waiting to 60. Put
yours with them. my dear, and let it 60.
But 1 shall punish you for your I'M
friendliness; yes, this very afternoon,
Miss Massey's eyes flashed as she
rose. drawing herself up, and looking
superblv down upon her slighter
and more gentle friend.
''Oh, Grace" began Mabelle. to
whose eyes the tears had rushed.
chow"
But Grace had swept out of the room,
behind her a general impression
Of dark eyes flashing wrathfully. of a
neightned color, and a malisn, disdain-
Ful smile.
Mabelle finished addressing her letter,
it, and said to herself, in o re-
iective undertOne:
Its of no use. / am q little fool, I
suppose, since he never seems to notice
even; but if he were not reminded
Of something disagreeable by the very
tight of me he would speak, l am sure.
lie is net hard hearted: and he has q
lind word for everybody but me. 1t is
Tery fine for Grace to talk; he would say
Inything to please her. Is it likely he
would W that he wished 1 would get
way and leave them alone? Grace