The Penn's Grove record., 1886-09-04

You are offended" -.
mot a bit offended. 1 only thought
[ would get some work. Then l could
listen to your lecture with some com.
fort, This is Harry Chase's glove"
She had begun to mend the tom hnger,
us he one of the insignificant peopieF
Surely" she looked at him archly,
'.you can't say that Of a m~iliionaire's
son?"
Il should not say it in any case If l
thought he was really dear to you"
Harry? Oh, no. He'sa good boy
he's devoted to me; but should never
think Of marrying him."
THE other, l suppose, is the favor
ite."
(which other? George Archer. He's
lovely, isn't heY" Yes, | like George,
but l like him so much that l can't
love him. Don't you seer Well, then,
there is Louis Best, the two Wh1ttaker's
they certainly go into the li't-and-
shall name any moreP"
ut isn't necessary" Jack was
looking straight across the table, trying
to keep back the angry flush that he
felt rising to his cheek. II see you
have no use for my advice. You resent
my interference"
81 don't resent anything. Come here
and sit by me. l am willing to hear all
you may have to say about my friends.
OF course you won't be just to them;
that's not to be expected"
Not to be expectedP l should very
much like to know why l have any
motive to be unjust to your friendsl"
"Oh. well, she said. resignedly, 1.-THE
trouble is. Jack, you're in love with me
yourself"
With a startled air he looked at her
an instant. Then a smile broke slowly
over his face. :
well, that is a singular assertion, u
he remarked, after a rather long ST.
lence.
"Yes; but the most singular thing
about it is that it's true, she retorted,
with a perfectly unmoved air. That's
where the singularity come in"
He bit his lip, still regarding her
with a sort of puzzled yet tolerant look.
Suddenly his whole expression changed.
Lillian" he said, abruptly crossing
to where she sat, 81 wish to God you
were more of a woman or-more of a
child. 1 can't understand you. Do
you try to bewilder me-to make your
self a mystery?"
II don't try to make myself any
thing" she retorted, raising her free,
calm glance to his troubled face. 81
don't see why you can't understand
me. l understand you. l have only
been afraid that Janette would under
stand you, too"
But If this that you say is true-if
| have been so unfortunate as to give
my heart one way and my word another
surely you might have some thought
for me, some consideration Why do
you delight to make me suffer?o
"Whyp Because you ought to suffer,
Jack. Because, if | met you half way
you would throw Janette aside without
M qualm of Observation-Disclosures, who
is worth a dozen such women as 1 am.
[ may be frivolous and trihng, Jack;
but l have my own ideas of honor,
too"
"You are a miserable firtln he said,
slowly and bitterly.
"That's not true, JackW but her
young face wore a strange, hard smile.
Talk of honor-you talk Of honor?
You have neither heart nor con-
SCIENCE
"Jackl'
Her voice stopped him halfway in
the sentence. A burning flush had
spread over her face, and the next in
slant she burst INTO a wild passion of
tears, and rushed out of the room sob
blng like a hurt child. That was the
end of Jacks reasoning with Lillian -
When they met at dinner she was her
bright, pleasant self again, smiling and
talking gayly; but Jack felt that the
distance between them had widened to
a deep, impossible gulf, that neither
word nor smile could cross.
Lillan's terrible frankness had defined
his position and placed it openly before
his eyes. And 1t had only shown him
an undreamed Of force and courage in
her character. With the restless pas
sion her mere beauty had inspired, there
began to mingle a higher form of adj
miration, and for the first time the
thought of breaking the engagement oil
Janette took form IN his mind. This,
too, might be done with her full con-
sent, if he could make up his mind to
throw himself entirely on her generosity
and tenderness. She had been so good
to him always-a friend, a sister, since
he could remember, almost. Would
she be less good to him now, if he came
to demand from her the willing sacrifice
of her dearest Joys and hopesr He
knew h loved-had loved him always,
and mans logic, by degrees, made it
very clear in his mind that this love
should flow to make his happiness, and
10 the total remuneration, If need be, OF
her own. Why else were women made
compassionate as angels and heroic as
martyr5g hino, happy jeanette, llttle
dreaming that b was expected to pose
to either or both OF these difficult po'
sitions, wondering at Jacks strange,
restless manner, went on smiling
securely above her lace rufies and
embroideries and her happy dreams.
1t Is not TO oe'wondered at that JACK
put on from 9ay 10 uay Jahette's dls-
iiuslehlIsnI.pue d tllne came, aItei
n OF Lhian,s rare evenings at nome
when sne nau been more lovely. NOR