Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-01-19

An, that makes O dlnerencc, suppose;
that's why they are both SO fond Of you," he
added, with sigh.
"Fond of mein
"You might marry either OF them to-mor-
row, il You cared to hold up your little
finger; can see that"
"What nonsenseln
"Oh, it's true enough" he cried.
laughed.
''Then shan't hold up my little finger
''That's right" he said; and he actually
drew along, deep breath, as though it relieved
him to hear me say no; 'for that captains
pompous old noodlo--a selfish party, who's
stuck to my telescope whole week-and the
railway man would fidget any woman out OF
her life in fortnight"
whats the matter with himi"
"He's an old woman, that's ALL"
upon my honor, you are very uncompli-
mentary in your verdict upon my dodgers !"
II hate your keeping lodging house" he
muttered.
my poverty and not my win consents" /
answered
He was very silent for a long time now.
The visitors had hurried homeward, or had
sought shelter like ourselves, the band had
ceased playing, the rain was coming down in
earnest.
| MAY ask favor Of you before go back
to Londonr he said suddenly and very
hoarsely.
"What is itF'
evil you say 'yes'f'
''Not till know what il is about" re-
| piled, with spirit certainly not"
'Well, them" he cried, don't give me
! back that little bird carved. You said you
/ would, and it has been preying on my mind
/ that it will come flying back some day when
/ least expect it and SO upset me terribly
/ want it hanging on your wall, to remind you
! of me sometimes, you know; being bird
like me, you see, 1t must. And though our
acquaintance did not commence auspiciously,
still you have forgotten and forgiven,
! haven't your
"Well-yeS-almoSt
Sand you'll keep that little carvingf'
Perhaps willn
"Bless you, Jane-Miss Neild, mean.
And nown---
was getting alarmed at his vehernence,
and very much afraid Of what he would say
next. I jumped up.
81 think will go home to Lily. She's all
alone, poor girl"
'But it's raining cats and dogs"
II don't mind the rain, and I'm fond of
cats and dogs" said, tripping from the
shelter and struggling to open the umbrella
which Lily had lent to me.
"You have caught cold in the rain before
now" he said, dryly; ''do stop few minutes
longer"
'No,"I said, shaking my head, 81 would
rather mott
"Here, let me manage that thing for you,
then, he said, making dash at the umbrella,
opening it and holding it above my head, ''if
you must run away; but you'll get very wet. "
five got my waterproof"
Eyes, but-oh, Lord'
What is the matterln exclaimed, as he
turned very red and white, just as had seen
him on the fort, only now he looked at me as
if were q ghost and my spectral appearance
had frightened him.
He did not reply at once, and CRIED
"Oh, what is the matterl Aren't you welll
Won't you tell mei'
Its all right that is, | shall be all right
In a minute, he answered, in quito q new and
hard tone Of voice; don't mind me-"
"What can it beS'
al tell you it's nothing, Miss Neild," he
said. Don't take any notice of me, please.
had rather you didn't"
1t was a strange request. but did not.
maintained rigid silence, being a little net
tied presently at his own silent movements at
my side, his steady stare ahead of him, the
stern expression on his face. He marched
along in so grave and dumb fashion at last
that ! could have slapped his face for him.
What did he mean by such behavior, l Won
dered9 At the end of the jctty be brought
my heart into my mouth by suddenly roaring
out:
"No, I'll never believe i'll It's magic, it's
lying dream, it's anything but thisl l can't
believe it of you; I'd rather jump into the
sea than think of it for another moment"
"Think whata Good gracious! why don't
you tell mel"
"Thnls that you have deceived me all the
time. You, too, of oil the lot of theml"
"What have / done, Mr.. Birds"
"This this umbrella" he cried.
"Wellg'
''It--it's the umbrella dropped down YOU
areal My fathers present; can swear to il
anywhere They're my initials on that silver
collar, tG. b. Obi heaven and earth, IL
fancy for one instant that you-Miss Neild
am going raving mad. Look at it, l0ol
at it!'
stared from him TO the umbrella, which
he had thrust into my hands, and felt goine
mad myself looked so terribly mean ant
guilty, and yet was so perfectly innocent
and did not want him now to have on
thought against me. ! was confused; / diC
not know how to explain; felt too indig
nant In the midst Of my grief even TO try Il
explain; fol-. he should not have jumped t.
conclusions in this way, but have waited
and then burst into tears
sob, pray don't cry" he called out, $50
mercy's sake, don't, Jane; don't care abou
the umbrella now, don't mind your tax
ing"--
"It's-it's not minel" screamed out at last
at was lent me by Lily Brian, because sh
thought it-it--it would rain before | go
home. Thereof
THANK God! What an awful thief she
! for one so young" he cried. 81 am SO tire
mendously glad, though, SO awfully glad'-
"Take your umbrella" cried, pitching
. at him: "and I'm glad it's found, too, very"
81 don't mean IN glad I've found it, bu
that you''--
/ SLOW dare you suspect me Icried, swecl
: ing majestically away from him, but he 70
lowed me and held the umbrella over m
} head again, and overwhelmed me with hui
ried and incoherent apologies, which / d.
! clined to accept.
sPerhaps it's not mine," no said at las
. "Pray be rational, Miss Neild. 'B' stands fo
Brian as well as Bird. Is Mr.. Brian's Chris
tian name George, do you thinkr
J Don't speak 60 me- You know it's you
umbrella"
] "It is little like it. he said, dismally.
D ~ don't want any miserable evasions, MI
. Bird, and / never want to see or speak to 20
again, and p
g "Why, Jenny, what's the matterP erie
. Lily Brian, suddenly appearing round th
Z corner of the street, and under another un
, brella, and with shawl over her arm
: "Where have you beeni Ma was afraid 20
wanted more wraps, and has sent me ou
with them, and-how dye do, Mr.. Bird
Who'd have thought of seeing you this we
S dayr'
. "I've offended Miss Neild,n he said, nc
' smiling in the least at her arch manner
!, address TO him.
r "Youl Oh, what aboutw she cried.
ttThat naeAv hafafrl ,ir,1hrnlla y / 9aif