Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-19
]. I apprehend that you under.

 standa"
 ssNo,n said Phoebe, lifting her eyes from carved slit in her desk, which some unruly boy, while sitting there in durance, had turned into an ink canal. Il don't kAow what you mean"
 The muscles of McArdle's face expressed vexatlon.
 serhen will explain hoped to be more cordially met by you, Miss Phoebe. You surely feel unhappy and unprotected"
 tsI can't remember ever feeling other wise.n
 But more so now than at some previous date I offer you my protection. We can be of mutual assistance. You could still teach or find some other congenial occupa- tion, and could: :-assist--: ah-in cultivat- ing your mind. It would be best for you to go away from here. no doubt I should be at theological school, and for the present we would keep the matter quiet"
 ''What matter quietf" inquired Phoebe.
 tOur-marriagc," replied McArdle, wip- ing his heated face with q handkerchief he had bought with money borrowed from her.
 Are you asking me to marry youl''
 tI apprehended it would scarcely be necessary to explain that" he responded, with asperity.
 But don't want to marry you"
 ''Consider what you are saying" i'm pressed McArdle. II know it may seem strange proposition to you just now.'
 ''It does," said Phoebe. 'But mean it, and will take the risks. Only prudence seems to dictate" said Me Ardle, going over his ground again, ''that for the present we keep our own counsel" Fl wish you'd go away,' said Phoebe, upon which McArdle stared at her with startled eyes.
 He waited in various uncomfortable atti- tudes while she put on her shawl and pre- pared to fasten the door. Then, stepping out, he picked his way along by her side, looking at her occasionally with increasing chagrin and indignation. Il would like to know what am to appre- hend from the last remark you made" II don't want you to talk so to me-" But under the circumstances, surely, | Mss Phube''-- 'Under any circumstances" fYou mean to convey a refusal"
 As McArdle tried to ponder the fact his | countenance hardened. "Youll regret it. II regret almost every thing which ever | happened to me-" said Phoebe ''It would | be d new experience if didn't regret this" Its very foolish of you," said McArdle, pityingly. Besides, you are treating me with great cruelty. You have engaged my feelings"
 But under the circumstances, you ap- I | natter" flashed out Phoebe. l McArdle let his lower lip hang pendulous, | while his sense of injury grew. | II won't go any farther with you," he said, pausing. Il won't go up to the house | tonight"
 ''Good-bye, then," said Phoebe. ''You utterly refuser' meditated Mo Ardle. ''Who else, do you suppose, will come out as 1 have done, waiting for expla- l fo ho do of ,1c
 ''You seem to admire your conduct very much," she sad.
 | He lSeenly glanced at her. l "You are attached to somebody else. feel it. But it can be nobody but Gurley.''
 "I said goodbye" said Phoebe, standing taller. There was thrill of anger in her | voice.
 But one moment" insisted McArdle He took out his handkerchief and wiped one eye after the other, holding a fold of it over his finger point. "When you discard me you are injuring yourself. Poor child! It will never profit you any to cherish these other feelings"
 ''Why did 1 never dispise you before i' exclaimed Phoebe, seeming to expand and blaze. 'How could I feel a protecting kindness for you and take pleasure in doing you what little services couldr'
 ''I apprehend,'' he said, stiffly, ''that YOU allude to the trifling sums I have been forced by an ungenial fate to borrow from you"
 "No," said Phoebe, relenting. ''I never thought of them. I am a miserable girl, but princess enough in my feelings to make yor welcome to what you have had. Only don speak another word to me tonight" ShC turned her back on him and ran toward tho lawn gate,
 McArdle stood with his hands in his over coat pockets until the air grew duskel | around him.
 He walked down hill slowly, knowins how Phoebe must shrink at the supper ta ble, how the constraint would drive her up stairs, and how shocked Mrs. Holmes woult be if she knew what he had said to Phoebe
 A variety of stings kept him smarting and he occupied so much time in his saun
 tering that it was night before he saw tht
 lights of Greensburg.
 Gurley turned his mare's head toward tho
 hill road as McArdle passed the Mounds They exchanged a word, barely dis tinguish
 ing each others faces.
 MaArdle could picture Gurle ey's hors
 standing by the Holmes hitching-post. Blu
 he could not picture Phoebe looking out at i
 from her chamber window as she did, an
 hesitating to answer the oaller's demand fo
 herself,
 ''Oh, the wonder palaceW whispere
 Phoebe to her unresponsive window-sill, he l voice hissing softly through the darkness O the room. Il must put my head into it for l minute and imagine things, Imust preten I am little happy. In the wonder palace have always been girl like Miss Fawcett | and a friend has come to call on me- and am just trailing down stairs in a long sof - dress to meet hi the friend. It is sum weather, and I have flowers by my wais
 and In my hair. And now am just reacl 3 ing out my hand" She opened her eyes f: the wonder palace being shattered by l noise outside. At first 1t appeared tn friend was riding away, as friends so oftel 3 do outside of wonder palaces; but when h \ silhouetted himself against the lighte
 background she saw it was her brothe a Thane White
 t Phoebe threw her window up and pent trated the distance hetwiXt them with lol
 but distinct call. l. He looked over his shoulder and dreI ], rein. The young mare moved resentfull