The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-11-12
From Longman's Magazine.l
L'AFFAIRE I SPIN KS.
BY BERNARD HASTE.
[CoNCLUDED.l

1.-The kindred spirit would have to
be very potent one to enable me to
qualify it with so copious draft of
cold water l replied.
The remark was idiotic, but | hoped
it might extinguish her sentimental
ity. Not so; she ignored it, and con-
tinued dreamily,-
mime has been a cruelty unsympa-
thetic life. Pining for true apprecia-
ton, l have met with nothing but the
cold disfavor Of the world
Dear me, Miss Spinks," said |,
you look too gloomily on the world
and its tastes. Some day you will
sing different tune when you figure
as successful novelist and poetess. y
"What is success without sympa-
thy? What is poetry without soul
How can the poetess write what the
world will read, when her heart is a
blank, her feelings a subject fol
mockery and eontempt?"
"But there must be some who can
appreciate your yearnings." [ said
soothingly.
"Somer' she cried contemptuously
''It is not the appreciation of the COM
mon herd that [ long for There
must be one-one heart to beat in uni
son with mine, one ear into which ]
can pour my hopes and aspirations
one mind that will supply with its
abundance what my poverty wants
one arm to which | can cling for sup
port when all the world beside neg
| lects me-"
Talking sentiment in farmhouse
parlor, in garments the reverse of be-
coming, and amid circumstances the
reverse of romantic, l felt was not my
forte. Yet I could not ridicule hel
evidently earnest longings, even
though forced to recognize the fact
that She was hardly the being to in
spire tender interest She evidently
expected to be cheered, so | answered
in my lightest and airiest vein,-
do not despair, Miss Spinks. The
time will come, and the strong arm
and sympathetic heart will doubtless
be at your service.
Some day, some day, some day. you will fluid him.
! hummed. adapting the song to the
circumstances.
"Some dayI' she echoed, in a tragic
voice, and with look which remind
ed me of Du Maurier's intense
young ladies. Oh. Mr.. Hastie, I havt
found him! l HAVE FOUND HIM!'
This was embarrassing. | had nc
desire to receive Miss Spinks's conf.
dences on such tender subject, but
could not think of any means Of
changing the conversation, and Miss
Spinks sat for moment or two in 81.
lent rapture. Then suddenly rising
from her chair, she approached mt
where / stood on the hearth-rug, rails
ed her hands in supplicating atti
tude, and was in the act Of laying
them on the sleeve Of Mr.. Blizzard
Sunday coat, when a violent cough.
ing in the passage, followed by pro
longed rafting of the latch, caused
me to jump backwards into chair, a.
our hostess entered, smiling, to an
nounce that our clothes were nov
quite dry and ready for US. | seizrt
the opportunity Of escaping furthel
condolences, and, without regarding /;
sort of free-masonic glance Of intelli
gence with which Mrs. Blizzard hon
ored rs both, hastened from the room
Miss Spinks retired likewise; and be
fore she reappeared, once more habit
ed in the print frock and scarlet con
tinuations, | had bespoken the furthel
favor of the loan Of Mr.. BLIZZARD
market cart to convey US to PentoI
Road Station.
| handed my companion to thu
front seat beside the driver, jnmpet
up behind, and bidding our hostess
hearty farewell, we set Off The roat
was rough, the cart-springs stiff, ant
conversation therefore impossible
Half an hours jolting brought US tt
the station. where luckily train was
on the point of starting, and, ignor
ing my third-class ticket, | followed
Miss Spinks into a first. class compart
ment. We had it to ourselves, but
with only few miles to go I had ne
great fear Of any further embarrass
ing secrets.
Miss Spinks sat facing me at the
window, and therefore stared stead
lily at the landscape At last she broke
the silence.
"What will Mrs. Brown think has
become Of me?"
The same thought was passing
through my own mind.
''We shall have no difficulty in ex-
planning our absence" [ replied
though it would have saved us some
ridicule if we could have suppressed
the river incident
"And say nothing of my saving
your life?" she cried.
smiled, and she went on.
81 cannot see why you should make
so light of it. | was more grateful
when you rescued me-"
II did not mean to appear migrate
full, Miss Spinks, but"
"Oh, Mr.. Hastie," she interrupted,
"please don't call me Miss Spinks;
it sounds so formal and cold after all
we have gone through together.
won't you call me Leonora?" she add
ed, tenderly.
''Really, Miss Spinks," I replied,
emphasizing the name, Il think that
would be taking too great liberty.
What would my wife say?"
"Your aohat 2" she shrieked.
"My wife," answered quietly, not
understanding her emotion.
She stared stonily at me for mo-
ment. Then recovering her tongue:
"Your wife! You have a wife! And
you never told me Of it? and you've
allowed me to talk as | have to you?
to betray my feelings? to-oh-h-hr'
Her face was crimson, her hands
clenehed, her eyes darting fury, her
attitude suggestive of a savage on
slaught on my features.
"What in the world do you mean ?"
[ asked wonderstruck.
"Oh, you wicked mani You aban-