The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-02-25

Have him downi Well, should think
so. But why not make it Julvl"
"Can you fit him int Thought you werc
full"
II am, my son, but there are few things
lett you to learn, and ono is that can al
ways mako room for Spencer Sherwood"
Even IL you have to turn away some one
else, presume"
"Exactlyl Even II have to turn away
some one clse," replied Madame Madge,
serenely.
"Nice thing for q husband to hear. And
pray how long has this undying, never-to-
e-obiterated-and- all that-sort OF thing af-
lection for Spencer Sherwood been buried
in your heart"
Ever since we made mud pies together
ana he rescued mo from the jaws Of an
avenging but long suffering calf which I
had teased into rebellion"
my dear, do you mean to assert that that
calf would have eaten you up II 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 If l recollect the circumstance at
all, Mrs. Wilding, with all due Difference
to womanhood even in pnafores, must
say 1t would have served you most un-
common right" and the gentleman under
discussion stepped gaily into tho room.
Hello old fellow" shouted Jack Wild
ing
1t was an awful mean thing, no doubt,
to be eavesdropping, but indeed / didn't
listen long lust heard enough to permit
me to recognize the calf. That calf had q
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 jolly time for the next
two or three days before any one else
comes" ratified on 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-
conscious expression of Katie's face routed
the notion that had entered his head that
these two had met before.
II don't think can stay Just now" an
swered Sherwood, rather confusedly.
"Well, I'd just like to see you go awayl
cpShSSA hShSA Woouf yOu huoW pcElCClly
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 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
1t so apparent as to poor Katie herself.
"Whatever have l done to the manl"
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 tho fact 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.
SIT 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, a fellow wouldn't
like to see his sister engaged in that kind
OF thing you know"
"Or his wife," interpolated Spencer.
"Well / should think not" answered
Jack, emphatically, "but don't think they
mean any harm half the time, it is only
little thoughtless fun" he added, chari-
baf do Kot;o
IF knew what you are talking about,
perhaps would be better able to give an
opinion" laughed Katie, little dreaming
how much hung upon her reply.
"We were discussing the subject OF pub
lie firtations, street firtations, 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 q vague sense of discomfort, but the
of his face was inscrutable.
'Iagree with Mr.. Sherwood, decidedly,n
she answered, scornfully. "Any woman
who could condescend to do such thing is
more than thoughtless."
"Ah, hypocritical as well, eha" comment
ed Sherwood, mentally.
''Though do think that some very young
girls may be led on to such thing by bad
influence, and, as Jack says, the desire for
what they falsely call fun"
"By Jovel she carries it off WE'LL" again
Sherwood, mentally. "Then
you think, Miss Runway, that after girl is
she is old enough to know bet
terp he asked, aloud, in calmly. discursive
way, under which lurked the ring of cyni-
cism.
Most assuredly So" replied Katie, in a
tone of such genuine disapprobation that
Sherwood was for moment bewildered.
"Can be mistakena" he asked himself.
''Isn't she the same girl! She must be, l
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, a sudden resolution seized
him. Turning to Katie, he said:
II am going into the village, will you not
walk with mel"
Katie's breath wns nearly taken away,
but intuition led her TO accept. So, off they
started, while Jack winked, Eyes, l am
sorry to record it, but he actually winked)
at Madge behind their backs, perform
ance to which that lady replied with a
grlmace, which would have sadly distorted
most any other face than hers, and q MUIR
INJURED, 'Well upon my wordl and they
fairly seem to detest each other, too"
''All signs fail in dry weather, my dear9"
remarked her astute husband.
IL presume you wonder why asked you
TO walk to the village this evening, Miss
Rinwuy q, remarked Sherwood after thev
had sauntered along in oppressive. silence
for quarter of mile.
Sand l presume you wonder why
should have accepted with such alacrity,"
replied Miss Runway, question for question.
To tell tho truth, it had not struck Sher-
wood in exactly that way, and he found
himsalf II little amhnrraSsad Mt har dirant