The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-12-05
that man ought to make up his mind some

At ta.s artless question the dragon posi-.
lively blushed.
And l suppose" Maud went on. "Ara,
leila Hardcastle will be the woman.'
Cant say" Tom replied efficiently. Then
frightening up, he added, II think it highly
probable that the man Arabella will marry
vii! he myself. mean, you know, Arabella
and her mother together, Maudey."
| Tom applied himself vigorously to his
cigar, liks a man who has got out of fir
clsverly.
| Maud was greatly smused, and laughed
! heartily at brother TOMS wit.
''For ShAns!' she said. "Poor Arabellal
And after all, Tom, she il rather q nice old
,dv."
''Ratter." Tom replied; but only rather
not very"
but, Tom" Maud said with an admirable
air OF surprise, ''have you and the Hard
castles fallen outs You did not speak in this
way few days ago"
At which our dragoon's blush, just rscesi-
ing, broke out again most visibly.
I'm one word, Maud said, looking him
full in the face, there is new-come.. I
think can guess"
In this way Maud contrived SO skillfully
that there and then her brother confessed
that he admired Vanity Hardware, and she,
like the tactician she was, received the in
telligence with perfect composure, not pro-
testing. but ready to discuss the matter in
the most business like apirit. Maud Neville,
hot as she was, could keep her temper, espe-
cially with her brother, upon whom she
dotted, fearing him little too. This only
she said:
she is is very handsome, good, kind; but
II know what you mean," Tom remarked,
seeing she hesitated. ''Ought we to visit
herr"
well, you see, Tom, we have to ask such
questions"
So Tom turned full ON his sister, half
laughing, yet with certain seriousness in
his voice.
IF you had to choose for me, and the
choice lay between Arabella and my new
conner"
REALLY, Tom, should not know what to
do"
This may seem strange enough, but Maud
could not bear the idea of having Arabella
Hardcastle for sister in. law. Her dislike was
not . recent affair. Mrs. Hardcastle had
brought her up from infancy, and had man.
aged to make her, as child, girl and young
woman, cordially detest her guardian. Ara
bella, too, had always been pitted against
Maud. Her music, her dancing, her way Of
entering room, her singing, her Paris &C
cont, whatever could become a young woman,
was praised in Arabella to tho open dispar-
agement Of Maud. Now, Maud was born
with temper, and never could submit to
this odious system Of comparison; and many
. time, a. a child, she had been sent to bed.
with bread and water for dinner, because
she rebelled against Mrs. Hardcastle's insult
IN 30 A,.s..
Ut last; for wealthy Augustus Neville chose
her, and not Arahella, when Mrs. Hardcastle
was comprising 50 and land to get the hus-
band for her own daughter Maud Lowell
her husband because he was clever and kind,
and perhaps, most Of oil. because he tse.iv-
cred her from the bondage Of this female
Pharaoh. But abe never could forget her
humiliating past. Not that she was revenge.
ful; but, indeed, cid Mrs.. Hardcastle would
have prevented any mortal Christian. no
matter in what stage Of perfection, from for.
giving her.
But that potent old lady had managed to
entangle Tom Pembroke. Tom was easy
natursd, and liked bit OF Irritation, and be
was 20 dexterously managed that by this
time 10 was more than half convinced that
be had won Arabella's affections, and might
end by breaking her heart! He was a man
KNOW
that ii old Mrs. Hardcastle once convinced
him that he had thoughtlassly gained her
daughters affections, Tom would marry the
girl at all risks. At the very thought Of
such an event Maud shuddered.
Accordingly, when Tom told his sister that
he had really taken a fancy to Vanity Hard
ware, that sensible and straightforward
young woman was IN fix. Perhaps, Of the
two she might have preferred Vanity, but
all lady readers will see that there were yerv
grave objections to a marriage with this
brave, beautiful, but certainly most monde
script heroine. Some women might have
finessed one girl against the other, trying at
the same time to lead Tom away from both.
But Maud, while not above practicin9
feminine arts and minor Duplicates was at
heart as honorable as her brother. and would
have hated herself IT she could have seriou,-
lyentertainea the idea Of playing with poor
Vanity's affections for any social gain what
ever. Accordingly Toms question was a
decided poser
(which OF the two would it be, Maudw
Tom saw his advantage, and pressed his
question. Maud traced pattern on the
gravel with her foot, raised her eyebrows, as
1t to signify that she was put in an unfair
position: but she made no answer.
''You seq, Maud. said Tom, lin Arabclla's
case there would he no question Of ought We
to visit here Everybody ought: everybody
would.
Maud nodded; but she did not relax her
face of dislike for All instant.
TN the case of Miss NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Tom had a difficulty over the name-s.there
would BE- all sorts of difficulties, some imay.
mary, some real
Maud nodded again.
''Of course said Tom. am now talking
Oh the suppositiop that felt such step to
be desirable, and also that"
Tom paused, and his sister lookSl up.
''What nextf'
H.,