The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-09-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

mother said thew would be back in
time to spend the evening at Oakland.
Then [ went to church, and from there
back to Oakland.
We had fine dinner, the incest |
ever remember, and the rest of the
afternoon which isn't much, consider
ing we didn't get up from the table
until four, we spend in talking about
the evening and a little Masquerade
Party they are getting up to celebrate
my birthday, New Years night.
We've had charades, games, etc,
now this is to end it all, and we will
leave on the second. [ to go back to
the work of the school room, the others
to their duties and pleasures.
Christmas night has come. | don't
make any extra toilet, as I've already
got on my best, but Belle led on by
Mrs. Maitland, who, it seems to me, Is
dressing perpetually, to show off all
her clothes in limited time | suppose
is trying to do her best to keep with
the millionaire's wife in time at any
rate. Belle has ever so many new no.
tions now, 1 thought before, there
wasn't any more room, but [ see my
mistake. Mrs. Maitland is stuffing
them in her head, and it seems to have
capacity enough to hold all she can
cram.
Ican't help wondering il she's cured
of her fancy for that Delacourt, [ do
believe she expects him back, when
he's made another fortune, reckon she
told her so. As [ know he didn't
have the first one, I'm not so positive
about the second, so [ don't worry
any more over old troubles he's good
gone in my opinion.
Of course I'm in the parlor first.
Father says hurry through life, at
any rate l never miss anything, for
I'm always in time.
Conrad, I'm thankful to say, has
had the sulks, which has prevented
me from being tormented with his So
ciety, However his mother has over
powered me with attention, so glad
I'm not to enter her family suppose.
Well, while I'm seated before the
nice CRATE fire, looking at the pictures
which | always see in the Goals, some
one enters the room, and glancing up,
behold Leonard, Il have his watch
carefully bundled up, ready to be re-
turned at the first opportunity. He
looks slightly flushed, but shakes
hands and wishes me "merry Christ
mas"
Then instead of taking seat, he
takes his position by the mantel, lean
ing on it with one arm, just opposite
to me, and looks down at me- Now [
can't bear to be stared at, it always
makes me nervous
Neither of us speak a word for
some minutes, then he says, 'did you
get my present? ?"
II got WATCH" | say, diving into
my pocket for it, (Which / don't in
tend to keep" and l hand it to him.
He looks very much, as Re says,
without extending his hand to receive
it, 4 won't have it, if you won t keep it
I'll smash it all to pieces" and he
looks SO defiant ). | believe he would
for spite.
I'm in a pickle now, and don't
know what to do, so only look quite
perplexed, without doing anything.
He continues the conversation,
while l listen, by saying, II suppose
at is true then, that you have engaged
yourself to that city fool" Qet me
mark it down, since I've known
Leonard Holmes, this Is the first time
1 ever heard him speak harshly of
another).
His eyes flash fire and he looks at
me with supreme contempt, for he has
met Conrad and knows his mental
state; bear his scrutiny with wond,
erful composure for me and say Meth
er yes or no, as I don't consider nv
affairs any concern of his
Ny silence seems to make him des-
perate, which sight I enjoy, it's so
novel to see the apathetic Leonard so
wrought up. He keeps on with ats
all over town, and I believe it.
was fool myself ever to believe you
cared for me, but Priscilla no matter
how mean you are to me, can't help
loving you, and I'd rather lose my
arm than see YOU sacrifice yourself
just for money Then he takes out
his handkerchief and wipes his fore
head, he's il profuse perspiration, if
] was in his place I'd move away
from the fire
Ii that watch was out OF my possess
ion, [ know [ would feel more politely
as it Is, vexed about that, and seeing
him so Jealous of poor Conrad, 1 be-
came stAsborn, and let him remain in
ignorance of my intentions.
As he waits for me to reply, say,
q see | shall have to keep this watch
IS a., ( L IS Il .liue5l, out [ VOW l
will neaver wear it, q know [ look
savage, for | feel So as for my affairs
you nor the town has anything to d.,
with them, | I'm sixteen( here straight