The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1890-01-03


toward Phil the tactics which only two oi
three months before She had tried on Marge
she would encourage his rival. With Margs
IL had had the unexpected effect Of making
her yield her heart 10 Phil; on the other
hand IL had perceptibly quickened Marge.
interest in her; would not reversal Of the
factors have n corresponding RESULT
She had but one fear, but that was grow
ing intense. Agnes Dinon continued 10 he
fond Of Phil; there was no other man "a
whom she ever saw Agnes appear 10 cheerful
and uncOnstrained. Could IL 10 that the
heress was playing n deep game for the
prize that 20 Luca seemed the only one la
Viewi She had seen wonderful Successes
made by girls as oh as Agnes. when they had
any money as n reserve force. and she trem-
bled as she thought of the possibilities Agnes
I was Old-dreadfully Ol,l-it seemed 10 Lucia,
but she was undenably handsome, her man
ners were charming, and she was smart be-
yOnd compare. She had declared that her
interest In Phil wns only In his position as
Lucia's admirer; but-people did not always
tell the truth when they were In love. Lucia
herself had told n number Of lies-the very
whtest Of white lies-about her own regard
! for Phi; suppose Agnes were doing likewisei
! II she wero- Lucas little finger nails made
deep prints on the palms OF her hands as she
thought Of IL.
She told herself, In her calmer moments,
that such thought was unworthy Of her and
insulting 10 Agnes, who really had been friend
ly and even aifectionate 10 her. In wakeful
hours at night, however, or in some idle hours
during tho day, she fell into Jealousy, and
each successive tumble made her thralldom
the more hopeless. She tried TO escape by
rallying Phil about Agnes, but tho young
man, supposng her to be merely playful in
her teasing, did his best 10 continue the joke,
and was utterly blind 30 the results.
At last there came an explosion. At n
party which was 10 Lucia unspeakably stupid,
there being no dancing, Miss Dinon mOnopo
lized Phil for full hour-a thousand hours
IL seemed 90 Luca-and they sat on "A sofa
too, that was far retired in an end Of "A room
which once had been conservatory. Lucia
watched for an opportunity 10 demand an
explanation; it seemed ii never would come
but finally nD old lady who was the head and
front of "A small local missionary effort in tho
south called tho young man aside. In an in
stant Lucia seated herself beside Agnes Dinon,
saying ns she gave her fan vicious twist:
"You seem 10 find Mr.. lIayn very enter
tainingp
"lndocd do, said Miss Dinon; 81 haven't
spent 50 pleasant an hour this season, until
this evening"
"Ohin exclaimed Iucia, and tho unofend-
ing fan now into two pieces.
my dear girl" exclaimed Agnes, picking
up ono of tho fragments. "lt's really wicked
30 bc 80 careless"
"Thank you, said Lucia, with grand air
for 50 small woman. IL thought IL was
about time for NJ analnrv
Ino subject OF conversation must have
been delightful" Lucia continued
"Indced IL was said Agnes.
Lucia looked up quickly. Fortunately for
Miss Dinon, tho artificial light about them
was dim.
"You told me once ,nid Lucia, collecting
her strength for grand effort, "that'---
"Ycs"
"That that.
"You dear little thing said Agnes, sud
denly putting her arm about Lucia anl press
ing her closely rs n mother might seize IA
baby, "what we were talking of was you.
Can't you understand, now. why | enjoyed
it so much"
There was trcmor aud "A couvulsive move
mcnt within tho older womans arm, and
Lucia seemed to bo crying.
Darling little girl" murmurcd Agnes,
kissing the top of Lucas head, 81 ought TO
be killed for teasing you, even for moment,
but how could you loo jealous of me' Your
lover has been great deal moro npprccia-
tive he has done me the honor 10 make mo
his conGdantc, aud again | say it was de
lightful."
"l'm awfully mcan,n sobbed Lucia
"Stop crylng-at once,' whispered Agnes.
GLOW will your eyes looki Oh, Lu, what n
lucky girl you arel'
For crying" sail Lucia, after a little
choke
"For having such man 60 adore you
Why, he thinks no such woman ever walked
the earth before. He worships the floor you
trend, the air YOU breathe, tho rustic of your
dress, the bend Of your little finger, tho
Tho list of adorable qualities might have
been prolonged had not n little arm suddenly
cncrclcd Miss Dinons waist SO tightly that
further uttcrancc was suspended. Then Lucia
murmurcd;
Tho silly follow I'm not half good
enough for him"
"Do you really think sol"
"lndccd do, | do, really"
"l'm 50 glad TO hear YOU say so,' said the
older girl, "for, honestly, Lu, Mr.. lIayn has
so much head aud heart that ho deserves tho
best woman alive
"Its such a comfort TO bo told So" muir
INJURED the younger girl
cone would suppose you had doubted it
and needed 10 be assured said Agnes, with
aquizzcal smile.
"Oh, mol 'twasn't that said Lucia, hur-
ricdly. GLOW could you think of such "A
thingl But-Oh, Agnes YOU can't under
stand, not having been in love yourself"
Miss Dinon looked grave for an instant, but
was quickly herself again, and replied, with
n laugh, and IA pinch bestowed upon tho tip
of Lucia's little ear;
"Truo; true What depths OF ignorance
we poor old maids are obliged 10 gropc in!'
Now, Agnes" pleaded Lucia. You know
didn't mean to bo offensive All | meant
was that you-that / Oh, | think hes all
goodness and sense and brightness and every
thing that's nice. but-and So, | mean, like
to hear about it from everybody. want To
hear him talked of all tho while; and you
won't think me silly for 1t, will your Because
he really deserves IL. | don't believe there :
his equal on the face Of the earthl'
"Ive heard other girls talk that way about
their lovers" said Agnes "and I've been
obliged TO hope their eyes might never loo
opened; but about the young man who is So
fond of you don't differ with YOU in the
least. He ought 20 marry tho very best
woman alive
Don't say that, or shall become jealous
again He ought 10 find some one like you,
while I'm nothing in the world hat a well
meaning little goose"
Tho daughter of sour parents can't bo
anything 81 dreadful, even il she tries; and
all young girls seem 10 try, you know. But
YOU really aren't going To be satisfied 60
marry Philip lIayn and I've nothing but a
plaything and a pretty little tease to him,
are ycul Its So easy 10 stopat that; 81 many