Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-30

cd to pet an iceberg. With shiYel
Miss Rue slipped from her perch, and
seated herself with her work III ;
neighboriug rocker. What had com,
over John ? She had never seen him
| like this before. lie did not seem bi
glad to meet her. He turned away
from the distracting vission, mentally
preparing bis brief this astute lawyer
as ignorant of he nature Of a girl rs az
elephant of the structure of a rose.
Presently he began about the festival
He admitted that Rue had once contid
ed to him her intention Of participa
ting ia an operetta. but he had suppos-
ed an operetta to be something like an
orstorio, not a tumble of silly love
song. Did she think it becoming in
herself, an engaged young lady, to car
oil amorous ditties from morning tc
night with a tuneful swain ?
"They are burlesques, John-only
burlesques. If | had dreamed Of your
disappearing, wouldn't have promis-
ed to sing but | can't retract now."
"Not when particularly request it,
Rue ?"
Indeed, no, John. l have the lead
ing part. | can't refuse to act without
offending Mr.. Lynde."
Son the other hand, you can't per-
sist in acting without offending me-"
Now, John, do be reasonable.
How should feel, announcing at the
next rehearsal that l must be excused
Mr.. Coleman was not willing TO have
me connected with the operetta! What
would Mr.. Lynde think ?"
''Oh, if his opinion has more weight
with you than mine, will retire"
"John, you're too absurd. Can't you
see how ridiculous it would look for
me to throw up my part the moment
you came home ? People would say
you were jealous Of Mr.. Lynde."
"The jackanapes ~
"And that you were a Blue-beard.
John, I'm not sure, but they'd be
right"
"If Pm tyrant, Ruefelle, you're an
amazingly fearless Fatima."
81 don't propose to be your Fatima,
John"
What did Rue intend by that ? The
wrinkle in Mr.. Coleman's forehead
deepened into trench, his brown face
flushed like an oak in October.
"Please lay aside pai adoxes, Ruefelle.
Do you mean you don't wish to marry
me ? Rumor has told me as much" "
In truth Miss Rue had meant moth
ing of the kind, but her lovers insult.
ing tone exasperated her into silence,
Had it come to this that she could not
wink without first consulting his lord
ship ? Her blue eyes flashed ominous
ly, the steel hook in her fingers darted
out of her crocheting with amurderous
rapidity.
"Rumor has told me as much," re.
peated Mr.. Coleman, as impressively as
if he had been addressing jury.
"And you let people talk about me,
John, and listen to what they say p
81 might have known that girl who
would not respect my dignity could moi
value my esteem. Tyrant or not, Ru'
felle, at least l have no desire to riyei
CALLING fetters. Henceforth you are
free to smile upon Mr.. Lynde or any
other gentleman.
Had he omitted the last sentence. af-
fectionate, kindly little Rue could even
then have made up" with John, but
this was too much for her temper
Snatching the golden circlet from her
engagement finger, she flung it at her
loyer, with cheeks ahame.
"Take back your ring" cried she
the girl who wears it should be a
saint or a simpleton, anu Pm neither
Goodbye, john"
Auburn head erect, chin in air, she
swept out of the room with all the
stateliness possible to slight girl of
five feet two. She felt hers to te a
righteous indignation. John had nc
reason-no earthly reason treat her
so. She would not personate patient
Griselda for the amusement of the vii
lage.
John wants to bend the whole
would to his WILL" unused she, angrily
peeping through her chamber blind as
he stalhed away chewing his black
mustache ''he wants to bend the
whole world to his will, and won't be
bent. Our engagement is broken, and
Pm glad of it,"
For full fifteen minutes she was
unequivocally glad.
John Coleman thought that he too
was glad. Walking iercely on, he
squared his broad shoulders, and told
himself that the engagement had been
q mistake-an error Of judgment. 4
grave, self made man of thirty should