The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-06
Jack is scarcely likely to tell, and
Cr,oo hoe cvo,.o ~, hor bonor,


As far as she was concerned the whole
world was welcome to know it now.
No deeper disgrace could befall he :.
Il wonder if he is shrieking with
or merely sick with disgust, "
the poor girl thought. when her obtuse
and amiable visitor had at last de-
parted. "Oh, how l hate him! how 1
hate him!" which was hard on Jack.
considering that his own conduct in
the matter had been irreproachable.
But Ethel was limo mood for justice.
1t seemed to her that she had utterly
betrayed and disgraced herself; that
never again could she venture to show
herself in a world where Florence
Byrne, Grace Allison, and, above all,
Jack Davenant, lived, moved and had
their being.
Sick with shame, hot and cold with
anguish, poor Ethel sat covering in
the great drawing room like a guilty
thing.
Ethel astonished her family at din
ner that evening by inquiries as to the
state of the female labor market in
New Zealand.
Uncle Joe, a philanthropic parson.
who happened to be Of the party, de-
lighted to find his pretty niece taking
an interest in a subject so little friv-
olous, delivered himself of a short
lecture on the subject.
Ethel sighed at hearing that there
was so little demand for the work of
educated women (save the markD in
that distant colony, and began to turn
her thoughts toward Waterloo Bridge.
''Ethel funks on being an old maid.
She knows that positively any girl can
lassoo a husband in New Zealand"
her brother Bob remarked, in chal-
longing tone.
But Ethel bore it with uninteresting
meekness; perhaps, she told herself,
she was husband hunter after all!
After dinner she put on her hat and
stole out into the street. She had been
indoors all day, and could bear it no
longer. The June evening was still as
light as day. and supplemented
couples were lettering with frank af-
lection in Regents Park. She had not
gone far before she saw large, famil-
lar figure bearing down in her direc-
ton.
"Oh, how l hate him--I hate him.
she thought again, while her heart
beat with maddening rapidity. IF he
has a spark of kindness in him he will
pretend not to see me-"
But Jack, for it was he, made no
such prctense. On the contrary, he
not only raised his hat, but came up
to her with outstretched hand. She
put her cold fingers mechanically into
his, and scanned his face; there was
neither mirth nor disgust in it, and
the thought flashed across her. chill.
ing, while it relieved her, that he
probably attached little Importance to
an incident to which she. knowing her
own secret, had deemed but one inter-
probation possible. And then, before
she knew what had happened, Jack
was walking along by her side, pour
ing out a torrent of indignant re-
proaches as to her dese"tion of him in
favor of Dicky Carshalton at the War
ringtons' party.
ut is you'll cried Ethel, with spirit,
for the unexpected turn of affairs re-
stored her courage; lit is you, Mr.
Davenant, who wee unkind, to stand
by and let old friends be victimized
without striking a blow in their be-
half! Pray. what did you expect me
to do? Was to have said: No, thank
you, Mr. Carshalton, l prefer to stay
here with Mr.. Davenant?
"And, if you had said it, would it
have been true?"
She changed her tone suddenly.
''Dicky is such bore! | think
prefer any one s society to his
He stopped short in the path, Selling
both her hands, and looking down at
her with stern and passionate eyes.
A close-linked couple strolling by
remarked to one another that there
had been a row, then refreshed them
selves with half dozen kisses.
''Ethel," said Jack, in an odd voice,
''it's no use pretending. You do think
of me sometimes. l happen to know
it."
She was looking up ct him, but at
this allusion the sweet face flushed
and dropped suddenly.
Ethel - Jacks voice sounded
stranger and stranger; was he going
to laugh Or cry? and why on earth
did he speak so low? Ethel, do you
know what signature should like to
see to your letters?"
This was too much.
"No. t''-she lifted h flushed
face; the cruel tears sbone AM smarted
in her eyes.
Cant you guessP"
'sNo."
The momentary defiance had died; a
very weak whisper came from the pale
lips.
Cant you guessP Then l shall tell
you, Ethel? Ethel Davenant'- that s
what / should like to see at the bottom
of all your letters. Shall l ever see
it?"
"Jackr'
Further. explanation is needless.
When next they met Mr.. Carshalton,
both Jack and Ethel were beyond the
reach of his maneuvers. Temple Bar.
BASEBALL SLANG
A Peculiar PhraseOlogy Developed by the
Interest Taken in the Game.
AS natural result of the wide.