The Washington critic., 1886-09-13
A LOVERS QUARTETTE.

consent, Mrs. Derry, L suppose you
can't" said Mr. Perrin, his reproach.
full gaze fixed upon the fly promenad
ing the widows plump wrist. II had
hoped on reflection you'd come to con-
slider my proposal favorably, but it
seems you think you couldn't be happy
with me-"
81 couldn't be happy with Roxanna,"
responded that lady, impetuously; then
checking herself, she flushed like the
woodbine at the window, and In her
turn gazed down at the itinerating fly.
ooh, IL you refuse me on account of
sister, Mrs. Deery, really can't take
NO for an answer" cried her suitor,
looking up with an encouraged air.
The widow gaze never swerved from
the insect, now chatting its stiifenei lit
tie legs upon her thumb.
You'd have no trouble In getting on
with sister, I'll wager" pursued the
eager wooer. "You rarely see an
evenerte tempered woman"
eyes, that's just it, Mr.. Perrin;
Roxanna's too perfect" broke forth
the lady, brushing away the fly with
startling energy. at would fidgct me
to death to live with her She's a
chosen vessel and Pm only common
clay
The Widow Deery common clay, in
deed! Mr.. Perrin would have OWNED
the contrary unaided by the oflicious
sunbeam which dared In at that in.
stant to point out her manifold attrac.
tions. Being deeply in love, he took
advantage of his opportunity to pay a
handsome compliment and to renew his
suit.
For one intoxicating moment his
fair listener wavered, but the moment
passed.
"Hush, please, Mr.. Perrlnl Don't
say any more about it" cried she,
with willful toss Of her bewitching
brown curls. II might care for you"
the tremor in her voice was very
nearly his undoing--"I might care for
you, but couldn't breathe with Rox.
anna. Think how my little boy would
worry herl She wouldn't speak an un.
kind word, but every time he left
sticky finger prints on door | should
feel that she was wishing that he and
his mother had staid away"
81 might -" Mr. Perrin paused,
shocked at his base impulse. Had he
actually been about to remark that he
might provide sister with another
home ?-sistcr, who but for devotion
to his interests, might now be matron-
izing household of her own? Dear,
faithful RoXanna Gould he ever re-
quite her for those weary years of
watching beside the couch of his help
Ices, dying wife? The full measure
of her self sacrifice he had not known
at the time, but he now had no doubt
that but for Climena's sake and his
she had discarded Joel Kirby. No,
no; sister should never be requested to
vacate the dwelling over which she
had ruled so long and so well And
TO Mr.. Perrin's credit be it stated, that
in the ardor Of his passion for the little
widow he closed his lips upon the dis.
loyal words that perchancc might have
won her, and strobe from her cottage
arejected lover.
"lf Kirby should want Roxanna now
as much as, according TO accounts, he
wanted her before he went to Califor-
mia, why, it might straightcn things"
muscd he, plodding despondently along
the path through the fields; "but they
say he has his eye on his Cousin
Martha Naturally he would be look.
ing for somebody younger than sister;
she had faded. There's an odds in
women" And the lovers thoughts
reverted to the buXom widow, little
younger than RoXanna, yet 10 more
faded than morning glory at sunrise.
Blr. Perrin's feet had trayersed the
meadow and assembled the slope of the
pasture adjoining the highway ere his
mind caughtup with them. Then he
murmured half audibly: Il wonder
tab IA Il "a, -
When | saw his team coming over
the ridge, it struck me | might as well
steal off through the orchard Con
sidering he's in the neighborhood
looking up old friends, he can cvily
pass by RoXanna; aud | wouldn't be Il
hinderance in case"
His soliloquy merged in low whistle
of satisfaction. He had reached the
bars opposite his own gate. and at the
gate, his fore.ieet deep in II hollow
paved by their impatience, stool Mr.
Kirby's gay sorrel
At the spectacle Mr.. Perrln's heart
bounded within him, and he clutchel
the topmost rail for support. Should
he lead the forgotten horse away to the
stable, or should he by SO doing ap
pear 10 take too much for granted? lie
desired to be hospitable. he desired to
be exceedingly hospitable, but he must
not convey the impression that he was
everzealous for Il brother in,law. and
thus annoy Roxanna. Sister was 50
fastidious.
In an unprecedented excitement the
hnbitually easy going man debated
within himself regarding the course Of
conduct betting this exceptional occa'
sion, and finally judged it best TO inter,
feie with the probable wooing in nu
particular. Accordingly he crept
around TO the porch door quietly, with
surreptiIious glance at the sitting.
room window In passing. A brisk fire
Of chips revealed to him his rather
prim blonde sister seated in a low
rocker before the hearth, and joe
Kirby leaning against the mantel neal
her, volubly discoursing.
"a hey've opened the ball without
me, ! guess" mused the skulkng host
face,ously, as he hitched his chail
along to the kitchen stove to warm his
feet in the oven. Seeing that It's the
first visit, must say Joel stays it ont
we'll UnquesliouNbly he means busi
ness. What's to prevent? He's II first
rate fellow and III make kind hus
hand If / wasn't sure of that
Oudu't consent to his having RpX'
anna should hate to have him take
her out to California. | hope It's true
that he has bought back the old home
stead. Well, well, wouldn't | Hike t0
he II little mouse Ia the sitting room
wall about this time -
Could he have had his wish y mos
astounding little mouse woull the
worthy man have impersonatod