St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-26
SHE HATED HIM.

There l was-sleeves rolled up to my ell
bows-hair in anything but graceful dis
order, washing the parlor window and
singing as loudly as my lungs would adj
nit, when who should walk in but Frank
Wright. / haven't seen him in four yeras,
not since l was IA, and he was just dis
agreeable enough to compliment me on my
improved looks, glanced maliciOusly at my
rumpled locks and wet gown, while [
stood looking just about as large as your
little finger. Don't hate him?"
Undoubtedly you do" l replied. lei
surely taking off my gloves. ''Mr. Wright
called at our house short time agO-he
mentioned being here!"
Mentioned being herew Hattie repeated.
did he give you a graphic description OF
my appearance? What did he say?'
Il have no idea of ministering to your
regret you are ashamed of having been sur
prised in useful employment. Why, fam
cied you rather proud of your housekeeping
qualities; not every young lady that plays
the piano can manufacture as sayory dishes
as you cam"
Housekeeping qualities, indeedw eX-
claimed Hattie, in a vexed tone. "a good
housekeeper never neglects her own per-
son."
''Well." said 1, ''play me something by
way of forgetting your unfortunate rem
cOntre."
Hattie played eXQuistely. She was just
dashing Off one of my favorltes, when Frank
Wright came in with an apology for having
forgotten commission intrusted to him for
Hattie by his sister. Hattie nodded.
pointed to a chair and demanded pe5ulantly
whether he was as charmed with her play
ing as he had been with her singing.
''More So" Mr.. Wright had the candor to
reply.
'Ah! then l dare say you do not consider
me the sweetest singer in the world?" she
questioned
Mr.. Wright was positive, on reflection.
that he had listened to as good vocal efforts
as he had heard that morning. After linger-
ing as long as propriety would permit OF
Frank withdrew. :te
"What a conceted puppy" Hattie ex-
claimed as soon as he had gone. He has
not pocketed his first fee, yet suppose he
thinks that he has quite overwhelmed US
with his wit and wisdom"
How ungenerOus you are!" said I; ''you
know you are thinking now, away down in
your heart. how much tact and cleverness
he displayed in warding off the shafts of
your rdicule without turning the points
against yourself. Besides, he is considered
by wiser heads than ours a young lawyer of
great promise. l heard father say yester-
day that he never listened to more able
and touching plea in the Austin and Wilkins
suit; and he gained his cause. too. So the
widow and orphans are not ShelterleSS"
THAT was nothing" Hattie maintained.
IF he had been employed on the other
oi1 In boxr hca, %I,o1
''But he refused a retaining fee on the
other side, and volunteered his services to
the poor widow"
But Hattie would not believe it. Frank
had been so unfortunate as to surprise her
is questionable deshabille, and she could not
forgive him. ''She never did like him
when she was little girl" she said. IL He
was infinitely more disagreeable now"
Time passed. Allen Wright and Hattie
Hall were friends so it would not seem at
all singular if the former, with her brother,
should walk over to Mr.. Halls on fine Sab
bath evenings. and the trio would wander
away to the graveyard or to some of the
pretty retreats outside of the village. 1
sometimes accompanied them in these rural
rambleS, and soon learned that Hattie still
maintained her antagonistic position toward
Frank, never allowing any opportunity to
pass without throwing p0rcupne Quils at
him, opposing whatever he advanced, even
when his expressed opinions completely
conceded with those had frequently heard
her advocating.
Franks equanlmity was never disturbed
by this petty sparring; indeed. he seemed
rather to enjoy it. This only incensed Hat
tie the more. 1T was" she said, las if
she were not worth minding''
Hattie" said 1. as she sauntered into
my sitting room one day with her apron full
of flowers and her hat swinging by one rib
bon over her shoulder, Frank Wright
must be contemplating matrimoEy. Hus-
band says the new house in progress at the
upper end of the street is his. l wonder
who the bride-elect can be. Clara Perkins,
do you SUPPOSE"
Il am sure do not know" she replied
''Of one thing l am positive, however, 1
shall envy his wife neither her new house
nor her husband. You know that 1 can't
bear Frank White"
1 had been telegraphing ever since she
commenced, but the either would not or
could not understand my signs; nor did she
manifest any embarrassment when, on
turning around, she saw the object of her
spleen standing in the open door, a very
perceptible smile wreathing his features.
You have learned nothing new, l pre-
sumo, Mr.. Wright" said she. But there
is a certain adage about eavesdropperS that
l would recommend to your leisure"
And she saucily tossed her head.
..My dear Miss Hail." said Frank adj
vancng toward her, II shall certainly
strive to profit by your counsel, neither
shall I regret having heard your expressed
dislike of myself. since l trust it may teach
ne how may render myself less repulsiye
to you. for, believe me-" he added, in tones
intended for her ears only, Il cannot tell
you how much regret this singular abhor-
renee you have ever manifested. Can you
not point out some method by which may
yet hope to stand better in your regard?"
/ did not hear the reply. as was sum-
moned to the kitchen at that moment. But
l have just foundations for believing that
she did point out way by which her es-
TEEN might be won; for not long ago saw
her and Frank standing in close proximity,
while notwithstanding man propounded
certain momentous questions. which Frank
answered frankly and distinctly, and Hat
ties replies, though low, were quite salts