McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-02-26

She had no longer an appetite for It
II want to apologize for having un
consciously taken possession of your
little parlor. 1t makes me feel like ar
interloper.'
"Who told you it was my parlor p''
asked Jessie, trying to steel her heart
against him; but thinking all the same,
what a. handsome man he was, with
his blue eyes, and tawny beard.
"Never mind who told me-" said
George Leith, with smile. 81 know
have unconsciously deprived you OF
your piano ever since have been here,
and want you to forgive me-"
cit is l who ought to ask your for
giveness, returned Jessie. 81 have
often stolen in to have an hour with
my piano when you have been out
She smiled and colored as she spoke,
unable to resist the winning sweet
ness of his voice and manner.
They stood watching the moon
above the tree tops, talking pleasant
ly, until Caroline came to the door,
and called her sister,.
where on earth have you been, Jes-
sie?" she asked.
Talking to Mr.. Leith," returned
Jessie, as she followed her into the
room.
wonders will never cease" ex-
claimed Caroline. Il thought you ha-
ted him; but there; think he would
talk anyone over with that pleasant
voice of his.''
Jessie thought so too; but she did
not give vent to her opinion in words.
She was looking unusually we'll; col
or became her, but it was not the rose
flush upon her cheeks that made her
look SO lovely. There was change
in her tonight, and her sister was
vaguely conscious of it, as the girl
stood looking down into the glowing
fire in the kitchen CRATE.
sour Jessie is growing regular
beauty" observed Caroline to her
father, when her sister had gone up to
bed.
Handsome is as handsome Does"
returned Mr.. Maybrick, putting away
at his pipe. Jessie's education had
cost him no end of money, while the
more homely Caroline had put pounds
in his pocket.
But Mr.. Maybrick had no eye for
beauty. He was not like his lodger,
who could get very little sleep for
thinking of pair of bright eyes and a
slim girlish figure.
Next morning, as Mr.. Leith sat at
breakfast, he caught sight of Jessie
talking to stoutly built, curly head
ed young fellow, and his heart gave a
Jealous throb.
Who was that rustic she seemed so
interested in? He could not be her
weetheart-surely a girl like Jessie
would not throw herself away on such
an awkward cub.
Mr.. Leith tried to read his newspa-
per, and forget the happy-looking
couple in the garden; but it was of no
use.
There they were, parading up and
down in the full view of his window,
and now and then their voices were
waited to him on the breeze.
He felt he could stand it no longer.
and slammed down the window in a
rage. What was the use of coming to
the country for quiet, if people would
persist in making such racket?
He took his hat and went for
walk, and when he returned home, had
the pleasure of seeing that rustic
through the kitchen window, dining
with the family.
Mr.. Leith closed the door of his
room; but he could not shut out the
sound of that fellows noisy laughter.
elf he is a frequent guest, my stay
here will not be of very long duration,
ne thought.
Presently, to his intense annoyance.
ne saw Jessie and the stranger out in
,he garden again, and after his own
Inner had been served, he heard Miss
Caroline calling them in to tea, and
found that the young mans name was
8ob-detestable name! MIR. Leith had
never felt more miserable than he did
hat evening, and his life had not been
devoid of trouble.
Mr.. Leith was sitting in the dark,
Ind presently heard voices outside the
loor.
81 am sure he is out, child" said
Caroline. 1.-The lamp is not lit-you
can 90 in and play for a little WHILE.
md Mr.. Leith will never be bit the
wiser" ::
He did not hear Jessie answer-her.
voice was not so loud, but the door
opened, and she came into the room,
going straight over to the piano.
Mr.. Leith held his breath. lying
back in the arm chair, while Jessie
played softly in the darkness.
He could see the dim outline of her
form, as she sat at the piano for what
little light there was fell upon her.
He was angry with her-most unrea-
sonably angry, but he could not lose
The chance of speaking to her alone.
"Miss Jessie,' he said quietly.
Jessie gave faint scream. He had
frightened her so much that she
5rembled like a leaf. She was going
% run out of the room, when his voice
arrested her movement.
81 shall be sorry that revealed my
self if you are going to run away" he
went on. sit is not often 1 have the
chance of hearing you playing, Miss
JESSIE"
Jessie sat down at the piano, but
she did not play. Her little brown
hands were trembling too much. Mr..
Leith rose, and stood by her side.
81 shall be gong back to London,