The Penn's Grove record., 1884-07-26

childishly honest. II am very glad You
do be said. ''But why ?"
because you don't wear a velveteen
coat because you don't smoke a hor-
rid pipe /; because you don't talk slang ;
because you keep your hands nice and
because-because | DON
"Thanks." How r~efreshiDgly can
did she was. "And l like you, too, lit
tie girl. We are excellent frieuds. But
you viii outgrow it presently l shall
be left quite behind when you are a
young lady"
He had offended her now he saw it
In the droCp OF her eyelids and at the
corners of her mouth.
IT'S like once, like always, with us
Chandrans, - she said. rising, land stand
ing with one hand resting on the man
tel, looking down intently at the fire j;
| and then for a time they were silent.
The laZily handsome gentleman was
entirely too indOlent, it seemed, to carry
the conversation farther, and contented
himself with looking at her through his
half-closed eyes, and admIring her i'm
me selv. 1t was perfectly absurd for
him to feel toward a child like her as
lt blus iAC dblliItu lltls uC wa ldo
cinated by her pretty ways and frank
childishness. eff she were a few
years older" he thought, 81 should be
afraid that l was falling in love with
her but a child like that-it'sa bsurdi'
and SO he rosp to go.
by the way, Mignonne," he said,
~ quite forgot it, but l have an en-
gagtment. My ]cOuslnhas just returned,
and | must 90 and welcome her. l am
going to bring her around some time to
see Jacks pictures-ard you. l am
sure you will like her," and SO he
departed, smiling.
But Mignonne, o~ddly'enough. did not
smile as the door closed after him. The
fire needed attention again, and, kneel-
ing down to look at ii. two bright tears
fell on the Goals. And why Weren't
she and Mr.. Vanderventer excellent
friends ?" Had he not just told her that
he ''liked her, too ?" And was she not
a very pretty little girl, who would some
day have numerous lovers? 1t was
very foolish and childish of her, GER
tainly-but then she was only a little
girl, and little girls, as well as big ones,
are very silly sometimes.
Yes, Frederick Vanderventer had re-
turned, and had apprised her devoted
cousin of that fact-mOreover, she was
extremely glad to see him when he APP
peared, and was in the most amiable
and charming frame of mind magma
bic. lit was too trying for you to be
obliged to desert u.s. she said. ~
found it very dull after you left. After
one is engaged, you know, she is rather
set aside-and as Ipromised not to fiirt,
l felt Obliged to keep faith"
OF course Philip Vanderventer vas
delighted to have his atlianced return to
town !; of course he had felt wretchedly
unhappy and out of sorts during her
absence. but. some way, he seemed a
little distract and ill at ease that even
ing, and even Frederick noticed it.
How have you spent your time ?''
she asked, as he stood by the piano
turning her music and trying to look
ineXpressibly happy, hut succeeding
only in looking tremendously bored
81 heard from the ClaXtOn's that you
had gone picture mad-Odd you didn't
mention it in your letters. They said
you were studying with an artist-Shan-
htCi-l tlLAih lSli LbC dDouI IL.
"Chandran the name Is. l have been
to his studio frequently, III take you
there sometime you would like his
pictures, / think"
He has a sister, I believe, she bent
forward, in her pretty. near-eighted
way, to look at her notes, and then
looked up at him. SIS she pretty ?"
He laughed and then grew suddenly
grave Very" he answered, Zone of
the loveliest faces that | aver saw, but
"A mere child-abOut fourteen | should
judge. You must go with me and see
her FrederIca, | am sure you would
think ner a charming little glrl-as l
do - and then he sauutered lazily
away to pay his respects to his aunt
before departing.
The next day he did not appear at
the studio, nor the next, but the third
day, when Mignonne was working busily
at her own little window, a grand car
riage drew uD at the door, and looking
out. she saw Philip V~anderventer smil-
ing up at her, but he was not alone /; a
tall, fair faced young lady, dressed in
the height of fashion, was with him,
and they came up the narrow stairway
together.
''Mr. Chandran, FREDERICK" said
Mr.. Vanderventer, 'my cousin, Miss
Vauderventer, Chandran :" and then
Miss Vanderventer went into lady-like
raptures over the pictures and wonder
ed, admired. and criticised, after the
manner of young ladies in studios from
time immemorial, until it was time to
depart.
'By the way" she said, as she drew
her shawl around her. ~ hear that
you have a sister, Mr.. Chandran. Philip
mas spoken Of her so admiringly that |
really want to see her," but although
Jack departed in search of her, no Mig
nome could be found, and Miss Vaa-
deventer was obliged to content herself
with a look at the sketch which her
cousin produced from some mysterious
h~iding-place. ''Ireally wish you painted
portraits, " was herlast gracious remark
to Jack, 81 should surely have mine
painted" and so she dep rted-her
shimmering silks, her flmy laces, her