The Butler weekly times., 1888-02-29


I WAS THANKFUL FOR THIS, AT LEAST.
Twas. apparently. less than nothing
to Mr.. Reginald Brand, and feared,
with a jealous pang. that I was of less
consequence to my father. as well.
than had been.
The first of September two incidents |
occurred which were a premonition OF
what happened afterwards We had
started out fishing Immediately after |
breakfast when my father. asking us
to wait went back to the hotel fol
something he had forgotten. Mr..
Brand observed that the weather was
fine and drew his handkerchief from
his inner pocket AS he did so knot
of soft, scarlet silk came out with II
and fell at my feet. 1t was mine and
l had missed it for several days, hav.
ing removed it when rowing. and had
left it in the boat. recognized 1t at 8
glance and looked at him mystified.
But proffering no explanation, he
stopped down, picked it up and coolly
replaced it in his pocket. Father re-
joined us just then. and puzzled my
wits over it for an hour or so. and then
forgot it. One evening, little while
after this. 1 stood on the balcony OF
the hotel upon which our home opened.
while father sat within writing at
table in the center of our private par.
lor. Mr.. Brand was pacing up and
down meditating and smoking as
usual The moon was full and stood
by the railing looking across the wide
expanse of silvery water hemmed in
by hills wooded to their summit. ]
unfastened from my bosom cluster Of
roses that had dropped and withered,
and was about to fling them
away, when his hand deftly in.
tercepted their fall and he turned
Immediately and walked away, car.
rying them with him, before l could
utter word of protest
If my father had observed this
strange proceeding he made no sign,
but finished his letters. sealing and nd.
dressing the envelopes with the
greatest deliberations. The next
morning there was not the slightest
change in Mr.. Brand impertur bable
manner. He ignored my presence q.
usual, devoted himself to my father.
SO that spent the day endeavoring tc
convince myself that either I was
laboring under some strange hallu
cination. or the man was insane
Further more, after this he was con.
tinually in my thoughts, although ]
liked him less than ever I Twas more
and more uncomfortable and shud-
dered when I heard his voice or when
he approached me. Finally, it be-
came uncomfortable and I implored
my father to return to New York.
with all this lovely September
weather yet before US. Robertap'' he
asked.
Yes" l replied, 'let us 60 this
evening. or tomorrow morning at
the very latest"
20, nonsense; this is only whim.
Besides, have promised to 60 with
Mr.. Brand tomorrow to see the fruit
farms back in the hills"
brand, Brand, l hate the name, -
cried. impetuously. and then burst
out: 1T is on his account that wish
to GO Do you know. father. believ e
the man is lunatic." My dignity
| was painfully wounded when he threw
back his head and laughed immoder-
| ately. He saw in moment how
| ever. that ! was offended, tried to
compose his countenance and begged
my pardon. After moments pause
he asked me why I thought SO
Ny cheeks flushed hotly. I stam-
mered and hesitated. but could not
bring myself to tell him. Finally gave
q woman's unfailing reason. when
pressed to the wall:
BE cause
Father laughed again and remind
ed me-
That that was no reason.
The truth could not have been:urung
from mo with torture. knew abso-
lutely nothing of men in general. and
although. so far as my personal knowl-
edge aTailed me. ] could not say that
Nj. Brands conduct had been un-
usual; still my modesty had instinct
lively taken alarm Fortunately.
father changed the subject. Mr.. B rand
kept himself out of sight and his name
was not mentioned again that day.
nor did he transgress again for some