The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-08-09


vieve's hand warns much to his salts,
faction, for she did not object to his
o>vering them with kisses
The teamster came up and Nellie
found time to scold him for his stu
pidity.
Il know you by sight, JIM" sho
said. ''But that shan't save you. Go
you shall from my uncle's service"
But, missW
mo 'buts You might have killed
dozen people, you goosel''
LAS true as live, miss, I've always
heard as how horses Will run in win
ter, when the moon is near the full.
as it's been proved the day. So crisp
like everywhere, miss, what can you
expect of them2'
'Swear you'll never leave your
horses without tying them tight COM
manded Nellie, haughtily.
Faith I'll swear when I'm oJl 'of
your prisince. miss" Jim humbly an
swered.
The horses were unhitched from Tie
sledge and the young people under
took to drag Genevieve home, which
the stout poles at the sides of the con.
veyance assisted them to accomplish,
as the girls could take hold Of them
and propcl, while the young men
dragged the cumbrous concern The
fair invalid was pillowed on mutfs and
covered with newmarkets, and was
pleased to revive nicely. 1t was first
sunset and then deep dusk when the
catafalque slowly reached home.
1t may be supposed that dinner was
little late that evening.
Nellie came into the parlor before
the others. looking lovely, in still an
other of her Worth dresses, and
Balkan was waiting for her. ready TO
pounce.
What did you mcan9" he whis-
pered.
Nellie's eyes, which looked unusu-
ally big and bright because she had
been crying all to herself, filed again
with tears. She edged away into the
anteroom and he followed
II meant she replied, soto voce,
'that when you love her, and when
she loves you, and when you come out
into the 'backwoods' and have plenty
of opportunities. and when we are all
looking on at a respectful distance, it
is perfectly stupid of you not to offer
yourself to Genevieve, and ] should
have tainted and died both if | Lad
been in her placel She showed great
self control not to have died. You had
no business to stipulate the tree, any
how, for of course she would expect
everything to be settled before she got
there. Oh! of course you think me
outrageous to meddle with you and
talk right out as if / were novel,
without respect of persons and open
secrets; but I'm nobody in particular,
and will love Genevieve and put my
finger into her affairs if like to! And
I'll just add this: that I'm going to ar
range to have you both driven by the
coachman tonight in the big sleigh,
while we are apportioned off to little
cutters. The driver S seat is way up"
But, my dear Miss Featherby-
Nellie"-
Now, don't be disrespectful. vi
course I can only ask for an outward
show of respect after telling you to
offer yourself to my dearest friend,
hoping to win; but that show of cour-
tesy stipulate for" :.
'How can 1 ask Miss Chamberlain
in marriage if love your" Balkan
squeezed in, desperately.
Nellie sat down on the arm of
chair and looked up at him, blushing
and appealing.
"Oh, you can't be III love with mel.
she painted.
II wish you would not be so scorn-
full, he answered. You ought to have
known it. Months ago | was crazy
about Genevieve, like the rest; but
only for a week, for then l met you.
A man don't sit staring all day at girl
unless he dotes on herl While stare
at you, your utter indifference to me
is something appalling; but I had
hoped to win you in the end. Then
you take me by the throat, yank me in
front of somebody else, with orders,
martial in their haste, and now cast
me into perfect sea of prematureness
for, of course, you'll spurn my all UNI
heralded revelation. But I'm as OBJ
stinate as you are, and love you Twill,
by Jove". Balkan sat down on an
other chair arm, thrust his thumbs in
his pockets and glared at the fire.
A faint rustic of heavy silk at his
elbow made him feel exultant.
IF she consents to it you might
propose to me, then, in the Russian
sleighl"
He turned, and the little creatures
superb eyes met his. He caught her
hands, and studied her face with bliss
full care.
II thought was of no great ac-
count" she murmured, all of a trem-
BILE; and was suddenly kissed in way
that made her feel that for the future
she had some one to guard her against
all harm, and give her all the happi
ness she could wish for.-Rose Haw-
thorne Lathrop in The Independent