The Penn's Grove record., 1886-01-09

would call at Laurel Lodge and exact
some information from Miss Danger
field, in spite OF her deafness. He Sc
lected a time when he thought Rhoda
would be away, and was accordingly
ushered into the presence of Miss
Dangerfeld, who received him cordially.
"You have almost deserted us, Cap.
tain Trevor, said she.
81 have been lately a good deal en-
gage H." he shouted.
81 am very glad TO hear it." nodded
the old lady. ''There is nothing like
being married and settled. And who
is the ladyp"
"Confound it. she thinks 1 told her |
was eDgagedP' murmured the captain.
"How ridiculous"
When Miss Ddngerfield made a mis-
take, she always, like most deaf persons
adhered to it pertlnaciously; and the
consequence was that, although Trevor
bawled out an explanation as loud as
he could, he failed to remove the lady's
imp ession of his e nIagement.
"How is Miss Lucie?' said he at
last, changing the conversation in de-
spair. HAS she written laUely?"
"Oh, yes she is always writIngl'
"The a~ffectlonate dear girli'' ejacu.
lated Dick soto Voce. 81 wonder now
if L could get her address in Paris out
of the old woman2 1 feel sure, if 1
saw her once more, l could persuade
her to alter her mind"
But to ask where Lucie was staying
was an impertinenee, especially after
Miss Dangerfield's annoying blunder.
No; he would have patience and wait
until her return.
"And when do you expect Miss Mer.
ivaile backy'' he shouted.
THE day after tomorrow, most
likely"
The day after tomorrow Dicks
heart gave a great bound. Why, that
was no time at alli Gally he took his
leave, and walked home In the best pos
sible spirits.
He allowed two days to go by before
he again visited Laurel Lodge.
81 Will surprise her," he thought,
and, telling the servant not tn announce
HIM, he walked into the drawing. room.
Lucie-there could be no doubt that
it was Lucie-was sitting with her face
towards him, reading. She wore the
same dress which he remembered she
had on when he last saw her, and she
sat in an attitude of negligent grace
very differently from the angularjty and
bolt-uprlghtness of her sister.
SIS it you, aunt2' said she, hearing
him enter, but without looking up.
"Miss Merivailel''
She started and a delicate pink suf-
fused her cheeks-but only for an in
slant. Captain Trevorl"
1t was now Dicks turn to start. What
had Lucie done to ma &. e her so strange
ly like Rhodaf All, be could see it nowi
She had had her hair cut short. That
was all.
He took one step towards her. She
turned away from him for two or three
seconds; and, when he saw her face
again, she too was wearing the odious
smoke, colored glasses.
'By Jove, it's the other one. after
ALI And yet," he muttered. "Miss
M~erivaile." he exclaimed aloud, in des-
peratlon, sin mercy g name, tell me who
yoa arei Are you Lucie or RhodaP"
Both returned the young lady
quietly. SIT is only a little joke, Cap q
tain Trevor. apologize for deceiving {
you, but l could not resist refuting
practically your opinion that women {
who interest themselves in public mat !
tiers could not find time for domestic l
duties" C
"And you have converted me en- 7
tlrely. l Will never again contradict {
you IN that point. But, Rhoda-that
IS, | mean Lucie-n :
He stopped. there was a look on the =,
girls face which checked his u~tterance.
He drew a long breath. .
Il see" SAID he bitterly. sit is an :
honor 1 did not expect, to afford you so +
much amusement. OF course what you ;
said in YOU representation of Lucie :
Merivaile was also "a JOKE. Il ws5 sety :.
amusing-oh, exceedingly funnyl a
Rhoda Lucie--for such was her full n
name-remained silent. She had risen :
while he was speaking, aud was stand
ing with her eyes fixed on the floor Il
'Good-bye," said he holding out his :,
hand. u
she hesltated, and then held out hers. U
Can you forgive me?" she MUIR !, u
u
There is nothing to forgive" said y
simply. "You were quite at liberty &c
10 jest, If it SO pleased you. 1 was fool /"
enough to be deceived--that is ALL" Ia
IAN | the only one who deceived?"i u
said she calmly, though he could feel ~
her fingers thr0b as she asked the ques- tt
ton. ~
81 do not understand YOU" ;.
ais it not deception when a man who W
IS engaged to one lady makes love, or
pTeteDds to make love. to a%nother?" nj
He stared at her in a bewildered \
and then a sudden light broke h;
upon him. and he burst into a shout Ia
Of laughter,
81 Sc now what you mean. Your aunt q
odd YOU l WIS engaged" ar
she simply told me what you told NJ
NJ
But | never said so. 1t was all a
caused through her deafness.
Lucie-I like that name best-were m
you in earnest when you said mo- 10 az
my question: OF
Eyes; l did not think"
'Ishould fall in love? Your Jest has in
ended seriously-for me-" he added, gi
With a sigh. IN
II had hoped that Pl0da Merivaile nj
would have dispelled the Illusion" said sc
She quietly. ''She tried to do so." OF
And failed miserably." Iao
He was looking into her eyes as he az
laid the words, and noted an expression
n them which caused a fame of hope -
o lean into his heart. "
'Rloda," said he suddenly; Sup =
posing I were to put to you the question w
asked of LucieP Comet will try o'
Touj WIN yds be my vifef" 10
Shall l bA intensely practical and er
lt~rong-minda u my reply" said she, 81
With a glad siAte playing about her ol
ps, Sand say, 'ges'fi Ia
w.
IT ssaid that at least four hundred ti(
md e. tnVssai 4 meteors fall from tn
lie heavens ana 1ike the earth every LA
lour DUR 2 The year; and yet, when a
nan goef nome with a damaged hat, mo
tnna . mia IL Il Ia mna otrnnk NJ