The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-12

be the least in the world surprised if Sir Thomas comes creeping round to-mor- row directly he hears the news with some thing quite different to say," She paused moment, then letting her voice fall somewhat, added reAectively: "Tt's a pity Kathleen was in such a hurry to en- gage herself to Mir. Aitken she might do far better for herself now"
 MT. Derwent looked up little surprised at this formal mention ot Kathleen's lover, who had been plain "bruce" from top to bottom of the house for the past six months. Time, however, was not given him to comment on the fact, for it was at thi; precise moment that Bruce was seen swinging back the garden-gate, and the next found him in the study shaking hands with his father and mother-in-la elect.
 He was a nice looking fellow enough, smaller and more compact in build than Tom, with hair black as ravens wing His eyes were dark, piercing, restless bis whole physique, in fact, seemed to betoken an immense amount of pent up nervous energy. His hand-shaking was a grip-one could fancy wh 1t a blow that same hand might deal at a pinch, it seemed all made of muscle. Mrs. Der went generally winced under the grip. and said nothing. This afternoon she winced and said something.
 do wish, MT. Aitken," she said, fan ming with great energy, "some one had taken the trouble to teach you how to shake hands when you were small boy"
 Bruce was very penitent and proffered no end of apologies.
 The truth of it is l'n nearly off my head today" he went on to say. i've such a pleasant piece of news to tell you"
 Indeed" This said grossly and siff- ly, for somehow Mrs Derwent felt posi-. tive in her cHn mind wha! the "sclendid piece of news must be-
 :" never saw her so put out before,' thought Bruce must have given her grip Never mind, my good news will bring her round right enough" so he hastened to tell it out as quickly as pos sible.
 "Only think, Mrs. Derwent," he went on elatedly, "my father has come to his senses at last. Old Smish-that's my fathers partner, you know-h has done something more than ullly idiotic, iu fact, has made regular bungle of some law business he had in hand, SO my father has decided upon buying him out and letting me come into the firm at once."
 "Indeedl"
 Bruce stared. "lndeed" from Klth leen's mother in that tone, and never word in any tone from Katbleen's father, who had walked away to his book shelves, taken dswn a bulky commentary, and now stood arranging his manuscripts at his writing-table as though, there and then. he meant to begin sermon.
 Isn't 1t tirst-rate news, Mir Derwent?" he cried. Won't you congratulate me P
 An, Pm delighted. congratulate you heartily-heartily," said MT. Der went.
 It was not said heartily, however-cer. tainly not with the heartiness with which It would have been said had the news antedated Kathleen's good fortune. But then Mrs. Derwent had signalled unmis- takably by her manner that for that af,er- noon, at any rate, heartiness toward kathleen's suitor was to be laid on one side, and Mrs. Derwent's signals, by vir- tue of her weak nerves and ouerulous temper, were never appealed against in that small household.
 Bruce looked blank.
 expected" he began, and then broke of, scarcely caring in this de- pressed atmosphere to say exactly what he had expected, viz That the whole tamily would have been ready to execute savage war'dance over the improved state of his prospects. "I intended" he again began and again broke off; then with rush brought out the sentence "Of course, now there need be no further delay about the wedding-day, need 
 Wedding days are things that should never be taken as a matter of course" said Mrs. Derwent, making now such whirlwind with her tan that her cap strings fluttered in it.
 Bruce's face flushed deep, angry red.
 "What does it all mean? What do you wish me to understand? What has happened to make you alter so in your manner to me, Mrs. Derwent ?" he asked in short, abrupt sentences.
 MT. Derwent did not like the turn mat teis had taken. For one thing he was unprepared for it all, and had not as yet made up his mind to any course of conduct; for another, he hated storms, and storm evidently threatened.
 He suddenly recollected sick parish toner.
 Poor old Giles l! 2 he cried ;"I had quite forgotten promised to read to him this afternoon. Good news must not be to interfere with duty, must it ?
 He waved his hand to Bruce, he smiled pleasantly at his wife as he left the room. They might refer his phrase good news to whichever event they pleased.
 Bruce stood Tn front of Mrs. Derwent waiting for his answer. She closed her fan and put her hand to her head.
 Really 1 think it is your manner, not mine, MT. Aitken, which requires explan- ation," she said in her usual weak, quer. ulous tone. have had nervous head ache all day; am really fit for nothing but bed"
 After all, weak nerves possibly ruled