The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-17

"Oh, is it you, Jack p returned
Richard. "Where are you off to
nowf'
Jack was Edith Palmers brother,
and Richard had shown him many
kindnesses, completely winninghis boy
ish heart.
Il was looking for you7" said Jack.
Come up to the house and see Joe,
will you Father says he does not like
the looks of him. DO come there is
nobody at home Edith has gone to
see Susie Brown"
GAIL right, I'll come" returned Rich.
ard, relieved and yet disappointed that
he would not see Jacks sister.
The Palmers lived in small house
near the sea, and Jack dragged Rich.
ard into a small back parlor, communl-
eating with the drawing room by fold
ing doors.
"Wait here" he said, "while l 60
and look for joe
And he dashed out of the room in
search of his retriever before Richard
could utter a word of of remonstrance.
The young man sat down on one of
the shabby chairs and relapsed into
thought. The more he saw of the pov
erty of the Palmers, the stronger grew
his conviction that his money must
have an influence on Edith.
Presently he began to grow impa-
tent at Jacks prolonged absence, and
was about to go in search of him when,
to his dismay, some one entered the
next room, and the next moment he
heard the sound of voices
81 am SO glad persuaded you to
come back with met was Edith
Palmer who spoke-"I should have felt
SO dull all by myself"
Il avn very glad l came said Susie,
for ne instantly recognized the voice as
belonging to Arthur Renmore's sweet
heart. "What on earth is the matter
with you, dear? You are not the girl
you were
There is nothing :he matter with
me" cried Edith, and to prove it she
burst into tears.
Don't cry said Susie, e,wiping away
the bright drops with her own little
lace handkerchief 81 do believe you
have some secret you are keeping from
me. Have you seen Mr.. Maur lately?"
she added, abruptly.
"Do you think l am crying about
Mr. Maur?" asked Edith, coloring with
anger.
IL don't know, | am sure returned
Susie, 81 could cry if was in your
place. The man ought to propose
after all the attention he used to pay
you.
''Susie!"
Don't look SO cross" cried her
friend. "You know it is true. He did
take up your tine and lead people TO
believe he was serious. 1t is shameful
of a man to treat girl as he has treat
ed you. will say what / think
there! He is mean thing, g,and should
like to tell him so to his face
Now it happened that Miss Susie
was sitting opposite looking glass,
and happening to lift her eyes she
saw Mr. Richard peering in upon
them.
She was very quick witted young
lady, and did not regret at all the al
lusions she had made to him. AS she
sat looking into the mirror plot was
being formed in that youthful little
head of hers, with its soft golden
curs.
Her own engagement was such a
happy one, in spite of its length, for
she had been engaged eight years, and
had to wait two more before Arthur
would be in position to marry, that
she longed for her friend to experience
the same happiness
Perhaps a few judicious words might
bring the laggard in love to the point
She hoped so,for he had certainly look
ed very affectionately at the back OF
her friends head.
She felt strongly inclined to indulge
in fit of laughter, but she resisted the
impulse, feeling that it would spoil all.
She resolutely averted her eyes from
Richards reflection, after satisfying
herself that he was waiting eagerly
to hear what else they had to say,
and said in preternaturally solemn
voice:
Edith, l do believe you love the
man."
The words almost caused Richard to
betray himself. lie trembled like a
leaf, for on Ediths next words de-
pended the joy or misery of life
time.
There was deep silence for few
minutes and then Susie lifted her friend s
head and looked at her tear-stained
face, which was suffused with bushes.
sit is but too true" said Edith. 81
do love him. "Yod have discovered
my secret and l know that you will
not betray it. l would die with shame
if he kney l had given my love un-
asked
"But, Edith, he loves you, said Sus-
lie, coloring at her friends words, for
she could see the delight in Richards s
eyes as he listened 20 Edith's avow-
al.
"He loves mel" cried Edith, almost
contemptuously. "Why, Susie, he
might marry anybody with his wealth
and position"
"Bother his wealth = cried Susie.
"You don't love him for his wealth.
"Heayen knows | don't!' said Edith.
1f he were to loose all his money il
would make no difference to me"
"My darling!
And Richard pushed open the fold
ing doors and caught Edithin his arms
while Susie discreetly retired to the
next room and took up book, leaving
the ardent lover to make his own ex-
cuse for playing eavesdropper.
"Oh, Mr.. Maur,' cried Jack, dashing
into the room. "Why, where is he,
Susie' l left him here just now"
"He is engaged" said Susie, do
murcly. "Why, what's the matter
Jack 7"
The boy walked over to the window
and stood with his hands in his pcket,
whistling ; but there was suspicious
moisture in his bright eyes, and Susie
anxiously repeated the question.
7. 1