The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-12-18

\ into the open CRATE. The box she opened with
no show Of interest Then there was an excla-
nation Of pleasure such as a sensitive woman
always utters over fresh-cut, dewy, fragrant
/ roses:
"Ahi q note. Who could have sent them
From him." And the blood rushed 10 her
check and brow and throat. She snatched the
box and made move as If TO fling IL into the
fire, then checking herself she, instead re-
placed II on her dressing and opened the
note
Dear Miss Mildred" il ran. 1--WE are to be
friends? j send these 10 remind you Of your
promise and 10 ask you If ] may call for you
this afternoon. You remember we spoke Of
those pictures on exhibition. j am in no
humor for business. Please answer and say
yes 10 your friend. Kirk Phillips"
To which was dispatched the following reply /:
Mr. Phillips; j ara supposed TO be III Of
malaria aud not expected TO go out, so you
must excuse me. j appreciate your kindness
but you will relieve me by paying no further
attention TO the matter-Mldred Crawford"
At precisely ? p. IN. Of the same day came
another note from the same gentleman to the
same lady.
" If you arc we'll enough to come downstairs
may ] call TO night2 ] can do nothing until j
have talked with you. You gave me no chance
to be anything but brutal last night. BE kind
and see me.-kirk Phillips"
Who from, deaF2R inquired her mother,
who had just entered Mildred's room.
" From Mr.. Phillips"
what is it fOr9" and the lady looked
pleased.
lie wants to call tonight" said the girl,
briefly.
" Does he? Well. Mildred" smiling softly,
aud with an insinuating glance " he is a rising
young man, and you could not do better.
| Why, bless me, where's the girlY" and the
mother, turning. found herself alone.
hlldred's Rbruptncss was a cross TO her
mother. III had kept her explaining for
twenty years her daughters "peculiarities
almost stronEmindedness," had this yotory
Of the world often sighed to others OF her
kind.
IL was nearly o'clock when Mr. Kirk Phil
lips, who sat Bdgetiug among his law books, re-
ceiyed the expected reply. IL was a very
mannish looking miSsive that he tore open so
eagerly and read so hastily.
The writer used plain white paper, without
crest monogram, or decoration. The wording,
also, was rather OF a masculine c0nciseness:
=" Mr.. Phillips, you must excuse me. j am
perfectly able 10 sustain the result Of my own
blnnders. The interest you manifest but adds
70 my humiliation"
The elegant and fastidious young man bit
hls llp. lie was not used TO any sort of re.
buHs. She loves me- too" lie said il with a
half air OF triumph. Bot heavens what
pride. ] wonder il she intends 10 keep this
upr Well, ] like her spirit; ! always knew
her to be a strong character. This is the kind
OF woman whose love is worth something
but will see her"
Kirk Phillips was no gaineT than the average
man, and while be did moi love Mildred Craw-
ford and had no idea OF adding 10 her pain be
was yet touched by the astonishing confession
OF the proud woman, aud was not quite willing
10 cast her aside. Such a woman" he re-
peated 10 himself toying with the letter in his
hand, would make q splendid wife for a man
who loved her with an intensity equal TO her
own
Mr.. Phillips must have devised some means
Of overcoming Mildred CrawfOrd's wounded
pride, for during the next week he had con-
irived 10 see her several times and had secured
her promise for a theater party aud quiet
evening FOR new song. One thing, however,
be could not do, and that WAS ever 10 lead her
back 10 that strange confession. She would
turn 70 ice the instant the conversation
tended 10 become personal. The least allusion
10 herself She would check with ir0Wn. She
seemed to have buried her love completely.
I" seem 10 have the faculty Of vcXiug when
j am most pleased with you" said Mr. Phillips
complainingly less than month from the day
he bad rejected her.
:" How 500" codly.
Why, just now when ] asked you 10 wear
that lovely heliotTopc gown. you turned on me
with an expression that was positively scorn-
ful"
"Ah!"
"Why do you answer like thatg DO You not
think care how you lO0kg that ] do not OBJ
serve every color every arrangement Of your
hair aud 49,
Mr. Phillips!"
"Thore, angry again, and you used TO be so
bright and R0Od-natured. There. o. forgive
me, forgive me, j am a brute did not mean
There, Tor heavens sake don't misunderstood
me look at me, Milfcd."
The girls pale face had suddenly flushed
the flash bad died out Of her big, dark eyes
her LIPS trembled. The calm was broken.
Forgive me, dear, forgive me- be pleaded.
but you have been SO cold. il seemed AS il
you had never cared. Don't cry, i cannot
have IT, You are 50 proud and 30 noble You
are the sweetest woman / ever saw. Don't be
cruel. Let me take your hand"
lie made amoye as ift0 approach hor-to put
his arm about her She drew herself up haugh-
tily.
Have we not had enough o. this, Mr.. Phil
lipsy ] thought you a generous man. do
not want 20 see you again. There can be no
friendship between US You arc no woman's
friend" and she turned.
90 You shall not, Mildred" and the mans
strong arms were about her. ] love you
There, IL is true -
Release me; how dare you 2" gaspcd the
girl, growing white as death.
Because ] love you. Can you not under
stand2 ] was a fool aud blind You are"-
Z" Let me CO."
He could scarcely hear her; he felt the girl
yielding in his arms but her face was tho pic
ture Of pride and shame
Never" The word rang out dercelv
You are mine. No, no; do not shrink
There Is no generosity or pity in this. ] love
you selhshly. ] want you for my own. Men
arc blind and stupid. Thank God, you knew
al this. might have lost you"
Don't speak OF that" The prOud head
bent lower and lower. II kills me: II be-
came suffrage woman ] listened 10 pro-
gres5iye ideas until j got 10 believe that a
woman might Cycn-Cyeu "--
Tell her love, Whispered the lover, crush.
ing her in his arms.
But she cannot X is all wrong aud horri.
bic aud humlliatug"
And delightful and delicious and heavenly. %
interrupted the man.
And the woman made no reply.
-
Papa In the Rebellion.
An old Army officer, according 10 Mrs Custer.
had a fOur-yoar-old boy who never tired Of war
stories. " The story is little rough on me."
SAID the officer 10 Mn. Custer, but you know.
child, you know, that be wants q plentiful
| sprinkling OF lsand nQhing told in the third
/ person. So kept on rs be demanded, tin one
] dag lac looked uD into NV face ana ,sid .