The Washington critic., 1888-02-11


Under the branches of the hat-rack
in the entry Eve at last made her con-
fession TO Jacinth, who held her hand
lovingly. 81 really promised TO be
good, Jacinth; kind Of to myself, kind
Of to some one else,'' and she looked
down with smile.
Just now | said hated them all.
Well, that isn't true. / like one, and
that one, we'll, that one is a man"
THANK God, my darling. You will
be happy, and you will make him q
good Wife" and with quick impulse,
Jacinth drew the pretty face to her
breast and kissed her sister.
''It hasn't gone as far as that" Eve
confessed frankly. "He is coming
to America, and, to tell the
truth, it was only what he
said at parting that first made
me think that he really liked me.
He's great deal older than Il; but
he's really fine match, and--well, 1
like him. Just imagine, Jacinth, why,
he knows you, and admires you very
much. Indeed, he gave me to under
stand that | was a nasty, selfish little
pig. The first day he called, he ex-
pected TO find YOU. Perhaps you re-
member him4-Malcolm Dunston?"
Did she remember him? She had
tried to cheat her heart and now she
stood shrinking together as if che had
received blow. Then, to punish
her own weakness, she said, II thank
God for it, my darling, for he is a
good man, and you will be happy"
\
There was an air of snouldering ex-
element in the Macilvaine dwelling.
Mr.. Macilvaine had received a letter,
the contents of which-for the Macil-
vaines disdained all mystery--w
known even to the youngest.
The letter was from Malcolm Dun-
ston. He had come to New York
from Scotland on purpose TO see Mr..
Macilvaine, and he took this oppor-
tunity to ask for the honor of Miss
Macilvaine's hand in marriage. In
Difference to his own Old World
notions, and as q simple man of bust
ness, he first addressed Mr.. Macil-
vaine. At the same time he asked
permission to call that evening to
learn his fate.
$50 j suppose ] may consider
! you as good as married, Eve" Mr..
Macilvaine remarked, pathetically.
| I'm sorry that / have to 90 out to-
night when Mr.. Dunston comes, but
| guess you and Jacinth can take care
of him"
In honor Of the occasion, one small
Macilvaine was delegated to open the
door; to which end Jacinth scrubbed
him, then cheered him with promises
Of candy. Then she hurried mp to
| ha f1n,
"Why, darling, your worthy Of the
king" she said, fondly examining the
pretty figure, when, of sudden, un-
mindful Of her dress, Eve flung hen
arms about hersister.
30 Jacinth, Jacinth, how ] love
you p she cried. ''How good you
are; if / could only once show you
that am truly grateful"
ilroTn low there came the tinkle
OF the doUI - Tocinth reed
was the sound of scufIling feet, for
their brother in the trial of OPEN
shrill, small voice, ignoring gem
tility, called up from below. Here he
is, sis, come down"
| hullcT pulc, DuJ All Illc pISlJlcl lOl
that, Eve kissed her sister and went
slowly down stairs.
Jacinth roused herself with an eff
fort, and mechanically tried TO put
! order in the confusion about her, but
to no purpose. Shivering, she took
up little red knit shawl, and draw
ing it about her shoulders she sat
down on the bed and softly rubbed
her hands.
She dared not think. 81 am so
wicked, so SELFISH" she cried in her
despair, when the door was quickly
opened again, and Eve stood before
her.
"Eve, my child, my dear, what has
happened?"
Eve's face was rs white as her own,
but she smiled as she laid her light
hand on Jacinth's shoulder.
"Jacinth, Jaeinth, you know that 1
love YOU"
"For heavens sake, Eve, what has
happened" 49,, ,,.,,
fickle-minded kind of creature l
am. IL don't care snap FORMAL
colin, Jacinth. l never would have
thought of him if he hadn't told me
the day l left that he was coming to
America. II thought that he meant
me all along--Im such little fool, F"
and Eve smiled even more brightly.
"Eve Eve, what does this mean ?"
"It means, dear, dear, that ii was
all a mistake" ...-
'How dared he %
ooh, Jacinth, it's all my fault. For
my sake forgive him. / should die If
he ever knew how foolish was. See,
he has been so faithful, waiting and
working for you for ten long years.
If you had only seen the light in his
eyes when he asked me, why doesn't
Jacinth Gomez He has no idea how
silly was. There, let me curl your
hair about your face--let me put in
this bit of ribbon at your throat. No?
Oh. ,Jacinth, Jacinth, you grudge hap
piness only to yourself"
| With q bewildered start, Jacinth
came to herself, and drawing the
| shabby knit shawl tightly about her
slender shoulders, she crept down
stairs TO her fate.
She paused at the threshold of the
shabby paFlor and for a moment she
listened to his impatient stride.
"He shall see me just as am, " SHE
thought. She would not spare her
self. At the sound of the SLOWLY
opening door he turned, and so he
saw her once again; o slender, faded
woman in a little, faded shawl, with
: the sign of trouble in her blue eyes
and on her open forehead. But She
was the woman he loved.