Dodge City times., 1889-08-08
A RECONCILIATION.
by t. Sabel Campbell.

one WAS uulle sure t1lat lllc IdulG WAS
hot hers. He was perfectly certain thai
he was not to blame. Yet the fact re.
NAMED that they had quarreled and
parted, and that it was terrible, mis-
erable fact there was no diversity OF
opinion between them! They had had
hot words upon rather cold subject, 9
tobogganing party, and as there were
the usual two sides to the question and
they saw their position from opposite
points of view of course they failed to
agree. "Pm SO sorry you can't take me,
Robin, but have promised faithfully
to make one Of the party, and l could
not think of disappointing the girls
and. after all, why should l not go
with Mr.. Gerard? You know why
I dislike Oscar Gerard, not without q
cause, and"
Yes, because he was suitor of mine
1 should think if anything could make
your position more secure, the fact of
such a man as Oscar Gerard being q
rejected suitor would do so.'
And she gave her lover shy smile
which was not without the effect it was
intended to produce.
Darling, 1 know you love meT he
said, throwing one arm lightly around
her. And SO, sweetheart, won't you
give up this excursion to please me? l
don't like to think of your being ey-
posed to the dangers of tobogganing in
my absence and in the company of a
man whom 1 cannot help regarding as
an enemy"
You are very ungenerous to feel SO
towards Oscar Gerard" she said with
a touch of Indignation. And as for
danger, why, every one knows that he
is most skilful at guiding toboggan-
the best conductor any one could possi-
bly, have"
Perhaps Robin did not like the praise
bestowed upon his rival, though that thus
rival had been an unsuccessful one, for
he bit his lips and frowned.
We'll, must make your not going
personal favor" he said, somewhat ar
bitrarily.
She hesitated moment, then turned
and walked away.
Il cannot grant it," she said. 1T
would seem too ridiculous, and 1 have
pledged myself to go. 1t is unreasona-
BILE, too, that you should wish to deprive
me of the pleasure because you are un-
able to take part in it. .
1T strikes me as more than unreason-
able for you to act in direct opposition
to my Wishes" he said, with rising an
ger. 1T is unkind and self-willedl"
Indeed! And shall always be ex-
pected to yield to your will?" she asked,
hautily.
"Yes, on some subjects. " he answered,
off his guard.
THANK you for telling me so frankly
in time!" she said, quickly. And so
that your expectations may not be frus-
trated, Mr.. Adair, our engagement had
better terminate now!"
Agnes! Why, what do YOU mean? -
i mean that refuse to be any mans
slave! That l could never bind nv
self to submit to any will but my own,"
she cried, impetuously. Il mean that
our engagement is broken from this
moment!" And she left the room be-
fore he had time to reply.
Yes, they had 'quarrelled and parted,
and they were both very unhappy in
consequence.
Agnes Clifton had been petted, only
child, but sweet-tempered, generous
disposition had, in the main, held its
own against her parents indiscreet
over-indulgence. She had failed to
learn yet, however, that submission is
sometimes more noble and brave than
resistance, and being a high-spirited
girl she made no effort at a reconcilia-
ton with her lover, although
she very soon came to the con-
clusion that she had been wrong
from the first, and most SO when she
had SO hastily broken their engage
ment. She had been startled and dis
tressed at the result of her own action,
and had almost determined not to go to
the toboggan party that had been the
cause of the trouble, but in proud de-
tiance of her own feelings she had sud-
denly changed her mind and had gone,
With flushed cheeks and flashing eyes.
she donned her bewitching dark-blue
blanket suit and crimson togue, and
had accompanied her escort to be the
brightest and gayest of the gay, the
life of the rollicking party-and the
most unhappy girl in the world. Oscar
Gerard was delighted, though very
much surprised. He had of late found
Miss Clifton rather cold and repellent,
while always polite. Tonight she was
much more than that; she was genial
and friendly, and continued to be SO
whenever they afterwards met. In
deed, he was soon seen at her fathers
house as frequently as formerly, and on
terms of equal intimacy. Gerard had
more than one been heard to say that
the next time he asked Agnes Clifton to
be his wife she would not refuse, and
that when the chance came he would
not scruple to treat her as she had
treated him. His was q vindictive and
ignoble nature, and Robin Adair had
gauged it rightly, SO that when his
rivals unworthy words came to his ears,
they only confirmed his distrust of him.
In the meantime, Agnes and Gerrard
were much together, and when at last
the young man thought his opportunity
had arrived, he looked forward with
pleasure to the realization of his re-
venge.
One morning in early spring he called
to see her. The snow had melted and
disappeared, and with it the last vestige
of resentment in Agnes Clifton's heart
against her lover. Would he never for
give her? All, had he indeed left her
forever? How should she bear it-she
who loved him now more tenderly, more
passionately, more deSotedly than ever!
Oscar Gerard watched her rs she
stood by the window looking out. and
entirely misconstrued the wistful look
on the pale cheek, the pathetic glance
in the half-teaxful, violet eyes.