The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-02

"O, hddie-de-dee," l e1aculated im- patiently, "as if you were born withou, eyes,"
 Might as well be as to see things as crooked as you do."
 "Come, now. what is the sense in all this talk1 You know you don't care a fig for Bob, and you know, too, he inter. Heres with Marcus Chapin with whom you are in love. Come now, confess"
 "Happy to oblige, but have nothing to confess. As for Bob, of course care nothing for him, more than for any other old friend, but as for his interfering with my prospects, you'd better wait until have some, and then"
 Good morning, ladies'" broke in a pleasant voice behind us.
 l wish we could have been photo. graphed at that instant. think never two conspirators caught in their own plotting showed guiltier faces than we. A lighted shell falling at our feet could no, have startled us more than that simple "good morning."
 "Marcus Chapin, by all that's good," l exclaimed, sprinsing up in such haste that my uplifted burnisher came down with force that sent suds cup and potash tumbler, with their contents, crashing and splashing upon the floor; and in spring. ing back to escape the deluge, I tumbled over my stool and but for the outstretched arms of our visitor should have found myself somewhere under the packing bench among the bales of wrapping paper.
 "Verily," quoth our unexpected visitor, "I never made morning call upon ladies and was received in this fashion before, kicking over stools, smashing crockery and glassware and"
 Tumbling into your arms" inter- rupted, extricating myself from my em- barrassing position, "you might as we'll put t all in. Eve good mind to box your ears"
 "Why, what for2 What have done ?" with mocking affectation of surprise.
 Coming in here in this way and fright ening body out of her senses"
 "lbeg your pardon, Miss Annie," he lowing with stately politeness, if did so it was wholly unintentional can assure you. But never knew before of lady being frightened out of her senses by gentleman merely bidding her good morning. though admit it did seem to have that effect on you," with a comical glance at the broken glass and crockery on the floor in the midst of a miniature lake of soap-suds and potash.
 laughed in spite of my efforts to ap- pear provoked, and stole sly glance at Della who was working away as if on a wager, never once raising her eyes from aer specs.
 felt sorry for her and provoked with nyselk was sure Marcus could not nave failed to hear the latter part of our and feared had spoiled he pretty little romance l had been weav- ng for her. could have boxed my own ears at my stupidity. IfIhad only kno wn enough to have held my tongue. But here was no hope for it now. So deter mined to put bold face upon it and rust to luck that it would come out all fight at last.
 still kept up show of pretended in- lignation at what termed his unwar. antable intrusion, although l knew he lad as good right there at any hour as did.
 "That's pretty mess," said, point ng at the ruins. "You must get me lew cup and tumbler from the office, and lean all up there. You were the cause 'f it all, you know"
 "Oh, of course, l will,"-picking up me of the pieces and throwing 1t out of he window.
 "No, no, not there," exclaimed, :atching his hand as second piece was bout to follow. Carpenter will take 'our head of if anything goes in the ront yard. Throw them out the back vay into the brook"
 Just then Mother Carter's breakfast ,ell rang-a good excuse for me to leave of which was not long in availing myself.
 tossed of my apron, rolled down my sleeves, and catching up my hat, darted or the door, saying as went:
 Fl leave you to clear up, and don't either of you dare to come to breakfast :. o f;l vou n, ka ax,Arvxh;p o ekv o;okt !,