Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-07-07

on the porch. When young man tells
you that he has something particular,
very particular, to say to you, appoints a
certain time in which to say it, and then is
tardy, one may well be vexed. Hetty was
growing angry.
At this moment the door of the parlor
opened, and the young minister came out.
He started on seeing Hetty alone, and,
after looking around, approached her
"NIiss Darrell" he said, shave | offended
your"
"What do you mean?" asked Hetty.
II thought from your manner at sup
| per"
''Ohl you mustn't judge from my man
ner," gaily interrupted Hetty, perhaps
burnt my tongue"
She tilted up her pretty head, saucily,
and with dimpling smile. She felt no
more conjunction on Georges account, he
deserved furnishing.
II am sorry you burnt your tongue"
said the young gentleman, calmly.
'Thanks."
Because it has given me an uncom
Portable hour finished Mr.. Compton. Il
hope you won't burn it again"
Uncomfortable Nonsense, cried
Hetty
"Why did it not cause you to treat your
father in the same Icelandic manner" in
quired Mr.. Compton. "Are you very,
very sure you burnt it,"
81 am very, very sure | am not in the
least bit offended with you" said Hetty,
holding out her hand. George deserved
all she could give him by way of punish
ment-it was nearly eight.
Thank you" said Walter Compton,
pressing it. as that o'clock? [ prom
ised to go to the parsonage this evening,
but never kept an engagement with such
reluctance"
"You have forgotten your overcoat,"
said Hetly, as he took his hat.
The minister flushed to the roots of his
hair. at is quite warm" he said Il don't
need it."
ayes, you do, it's real damp" said
Hetty, fatty.
He shook his head with an odd laugh
II don't really care for it" he said He
fingered moment. "Will you be glad
to see me if | come back soon?" he muir
INJURED, taking her hand again.
II don't know" whispered Hetty, draw
ing away her hand in some confusion, for
the hall door was partly open, and the re-
creant George was now ascending the steps.
A look not pleasant to see passed be-
tween the two young men, as one went out
and one came in.
"Oh here you are at last" observed
Miss Darrell.
The newcomer was angry, but she was
equal to him. Il had given you up" said
Hetty.
"And so entertained yourselves in an
other way" said Mr.. George Swift, in an
unpleasant manner. "Who was he who
went out?"
"a friend of fathers who is staying
here"
George ierked off his overcoat, but, be-
hold, his accustomed nail was occupied.
as that his coat?" said George.
"' Fathers friend must, judge, be some
thing of the tramp order" He held up
the garment between thumb and finger.
ale is a minister" said Hetty, indig
nantly.
"Then he ought to be ashamed 10 dis
grace his calling by such a coat" replied
George "He must have bought it second
hand of a Jew. should feel like burning
it for fear of infection. Look at the state
of the braid and buttons"
Hetty's heart gave great throb. She
knew the reason, now, why Mr.. Compton
would not wear the coat. She took it
from Georges hand.
"What are you going to do ?" he de-
manded.
Il am going to put on new braid and
buttons, and hang it up again" said Hetty,
walking into the sitting-room. George
hung up his own handsome overcoat and
followed her. Mr.. Darrell looked up from
his paper and commenced a conv ersation
on the spring rains, to which George
listened with the utmost impotence,
while watching Hetty procure her work
| basket and with provoking GOODNESS set to
work on the obnoxious garment. He
could neither demonstrate nor prevent
while Mr.. Darrell continued in the pres
ent strain.
At last the old gentleman paused, and,
as if suddenly remembering himself, rose
abruptly, and took his newspaper into the
kitchen. Then George began:
"You seem determined to insult me
this evening, Hetty"
"Insult ~ Hettys eyes flashed.
ayes, insult. The first thing | see to-
night is fellow holding your hand. Do
you think | am going to stand that? And
then, instead of giving me your attention,
you prefer to patch this mans old rag-bag
of q coat"
"Let it alone" said Hetty, as George
laid hold of the garment III question;
"why were you SO late, on your own part ?
But don't let us quarrel, George Sit
down."
"Will you stop working on that coat?"
"No," said Hetty, 81 will not. If | can
do anything to help a man who has
worked his own way in the noblest of all
professions. will do it. Don't be so fool
ish, George, you ought to want me to help
him. Father says he is very brilliant
young man, and he has had dreadfully
hard time. Just think, he cooked his own
meals !"
Disgusting" said George. "All the
more reason won't have you waiting on
such beggar."
| "George!"
"Well, listen," said George, ''you know
I came here tonight to ask you to be my
wife. If you are going to marry me, you
will put down that coat"
And if | don't, | can't marry your"
questioned Hetty, smiling.
"Put it down, Hettyl Dear Hetty,
dearest Hetty, please do as ! ask?"
Hetty, without glancing at him, began
to sew on another button.
When the minister returned it was still
early, but he was disappointed by finding
that Hetty had retired. He did not no.
tice his coat at that time, mr. was he much
consoied by talking of the spring rains
with Mr.. Darrei, in his turn, for half an
hour. Overhead, Hetty lay sobbing and
laughing in her little white bed.
She was glad that George had gone as
he had she felt, now, that she had never
loved him, but had let things take their
own way. If it had not been for the coat
he would not have shown himself in so
ugly light, and she might now have been
engaged to him. Hetty shuddered.
81 DO not know whether | would have
taken him anyway tonight" she said,
yesterday would have been different"
She did not, however, analyze this
thought, and shortly fell asleep.
Mr.. Compton rose early the following
morning. When Hetty came down to
prepare breakfast, the young minister was
standing in the hall, his overcoat in his
hand He started and looked at her with
a word of eloquence in his "very fine eyes"