The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-02-18

"Well, Ned Herly told ME that no saw
him yesterday in the town. Shall we have
him down for August"
Have him downl Well, should think
so. But why not make II July,"
"Can you fit him ini Thought you werc
full"
~ am, my son, but there are few things
lett you to learn. and one is that can al
ways mako room for Spencer Sherwood"
Even II you have to turn away some one
else, presume"
"Exactlyl Even II have to turn away
some one clse," replied Madame Madgc,
serenely.
"Nice thing for husband to hear. And
pray how long has this undying, never-to.
bc-oblitcrated-and-all-t that-sort OF thing az
lection for Spencer Sherwood been buried
In your heartn
Ever since we made mud pies together
and he rescued me from the jaws OF an
avenging but long suffering calf which
had teased into rebellion"
"My dear, do you mean to assert that that
calf would have eaten you up If Spencer
Sherwood had not played the part Of de-
voted knight"
A ringing laugh was Madge's reply.
"Well, no, hardly. But Jack, it would
have knocked me down."
"And II I recollect the circumstance at
ALL Mrs. Wilding, with all due Difference
to womanhood even in pinafores, l must
soy 1t would have served you most un-
common right" and the gentleman under
discussion stepped gaily into tho room.
"Hellol old fellow" shouted Jack Wild
ing.
'It was an awful mean thing no doubt,
to be eavesdropping, but indeed l didn't
listen long lust heard enough to permit
me to recognize the calf. That calf had a
good many fine points and was likely to be
remembered and easily recognized"
''Yes, remember two especially fine
points it had just between its ears"
laughed Mrs. Wilding.
"But, bless mel we're so Interested in
you that we have forgotten to introduce
Katie. Miss Rinway-Mr. Sherwood Now
won't we just have a jolly time for the next
two or three days before any one else
comes" ratified OH that talkative little
woman, not noticing very peculiar ex-
preston which swept over Sherwood's
face as she introduced him TO Miss Rim
way. Jack noticed it, but the utterly un-
the notion that had entered his head that
these two had met before.
~ don't think can stay just now" an
swered Sherwood, rather confusedly.
"Well, I'd just like to see you go awayl
Spencer Sherwood; you know perfectly
well there isn't one thing to stand in the
way of your remaining here for the month
Of July, and if there is, it shan't stand"
spoke up the Brigadier General
"That settles it, my dear boy Just give
in at once If you had been married to
that young woman for five years, as l have,
you would not even have dared to look op-
position in the first place."
So Sherwood, with much inward opposi-
| tion, was induced to remain.
1t became evident to all hands, however,
that there was something wrong with him
in regard to Katie Runway, and to none was
it so apparent as to poor Katie herself.
"Whatever have I done to the mani"
asked she of herself. Nothing! never
| saw him before, and yet in these three past
| days he has managed to impress me most
effectually with the fuct of his strong dis
approval, but as have never pined for the
| reverse don't know as / need care much,
though it is somewhat uncomfortable when
there are but four of us. And one does not
| like to be disliked for no cause. even il one
doesn't care any thing about it," she added,
| rather incoherently, it must be confessed.
at certainly is detestable," Sherwood
was saying as she came into the parlor be-
fore dinner one evening.
| 20, don't know about its being 'detest-
able" answered Jack "Of course it isn't
just the thing, you know, fellow wouldn't
like to see his sister engaged in that kind
of thing you know"
"Or his wife," interpolated Spencer.
"Well 1 should think not" answered
Jack, emphatically, "but don't think they
mean any harm half the time, it is only a
t,xk1 ~, ,,<rl,t f,,t, ~ 1n la1 ,ba,,;
tubly. "What do you say, Katie!"
| IF knew what you are talking about,
perhaps would be bcttcr able to give an
| opinion" laughed Katie, little dreaming
how much hung upon hor reply.
"We were discussing the subject of pub.
lie firtations, street hirtations, ETC., and
Jack, here, feels anxious to know your
opinion of any woman who does such
things. confess myself curious to know,
| also"
| There was certain meaning tone to his
! voice that made Katie regard him quickly
with vague sense OF discomfort, but the
expression OF his face was inscrutable.
| "Iagree with Mr.. Sherwood, decidedly -
she answered, scornfully. "Any woman
who could condescend to do such thing is
Wore than thoughtless."
"Ah, hypocritical as we'll, ehl" comment
| ed Sherwood, mentaily.
"Though do think that some very youne
| girls may be led on to such thing by bad
| influence, and, as Jack says, the desire fol
what they falsely call fun. /"
"By Jovei she carries it off WE'LL" again
commented Sherwood, mentally. "Then
you think, Miss Runway, that after girl i.
eighteen, she is old enough to know bet
| teri" he asked, aloud, in calmly. discursive
way, under which lurked the ring Of cyni
| cisn
"Most assuredly so," replied Katie, in &
tone Of such genuine disapprobation thai
Sherwood was for moment bewildered.
"Can be mistaken?" he asked himself
"Isn't she the same girla She must be,
never could be so mistaken"
Just here dinner was announced, and the
subject was dropped. But all through din
ner Sherwood was evidently occupied with
his own thoughts, which were Of very
mixed character, truly.
Dinner over, sudden resolution seizee
him. Turning to Katie, he said:
II am going into the village, will you no
walk with mel"
Katies breath was nearly taken away
but intuition led her to accept. So, off they
started, while Jack winked, Eyes, 1 an
sorry to record it, but he actually winhed
| at Madge behind their backs, perform
ance to which that lady replied with
grimace, which would have sadly distorted
most any other face than hers, and q mur
INJURED, "Well upon my word and they
fairly seem to detest each other, too"
',All signs fail in dry weather, my dear9'
remarked her Qstute husband,