The Irish standard., 1890-04-05
"A MISuNDERS STANDING.
Why Sylvia Told Her Escort She
Loved Another.

& 'g4
''Who are you taking?"
Sylvia Merigold. "
''Ohl'' said Reuben Bassett.
The single word was uttered 80 de-
spondently that Benham looked up &C
his cousin in q manner half question
ing, half quizzical.
Blushing like girl Reuben met the
glance.
s.You seem to have all the luck, Bob!"
81 don't think it's so much luck rs
pluck averred young Benham with .
laugh.
The mirth of Christmas was over. The
n,ilder exhilaration of New Years Day
was also thing of the past. January
was contemplating abdication in favor
of February. The day was bitter and
brilliant. The glitter Of the frozen
snow and the intense and cloudless
blue of the sky made ones eyes ache.
1t was Saturday, and the main street Of
the little country town was crowded
with teams, saddle-horses and ponder
GUS farm wagons.
Just outside the post-ofice which
was also general store-Benham and
Bassett had met. They were typical
young Western farmers, high-booted,
SLOUGH hated, roughly-clad. But their
attire belied their prosperity. They
were singularly alike in appearance.
Both were tall and heavily built. Both
were beardless, and had the same reg
ular, II rather heavy features. And
both spoke in the Same deep, quiet
voice. But while Benham's whole man
ner and expression indicated jaunty
self-confdence, Bassett's were gentle to
the verge of timidity. -
ssLook here, Bob, said the latter, sud-
denly, ''are you in earnest in that quar-
ter?'
''Why?"
ssOnly this: had an idea you were
engaged to Lille Dix, that pretty little
schoolmarm back in illinois,
EYES," answered Bob, simply and
squarely, II ann
"Then Why demanded Reuben, in
quick evaporation, "are you taking
Sylvia Merigold around?''
stFor several reasons" avowed Ben
ham, promptly. "In the first place she
is a nice little girl; in the second, the
Merigolds are our nearest neighbors; in
the third, she has no one but me to take
her anywhere. Her folks don't want her
to go out with the Corey boys, and she
likes amusement. So take her. But I'm
not in love with her and she's not in love
with me-
Z Reuben looked relieved, but not con-
WINGED.
ssDoes she know about Lillie?"
.sNo, but I'd just as soon she did. I'm
to be married in the spring"
.'That SOP cried Reuben, with de-
lighted smile.
They shook hands heartily.
$50 you needn't trouble yourself to be
Jealous of me!'' declared Bob, nodding
pleasantly. 'Why in the world don't
YOU ask her to go to meeting and to the
literary with you? I shan't stand In
your way"
sob, she wouldn TT
Elbow do you know"
''She never has word to say to me.
GAS far as I've seen, you never have
word to saw to her! You are dumb as an
oyster when you meet her. And l notice
Won hardly ever ask her to dance. What
you need, RUDE, is nerve!''
Reuben laughed, thrusting his hands
deep down in his overcoat pockets.
''Perhaps so!'
'sTell you what, = said Bob, suddenly
struck with an inspiration, ''yom go TO
the literary tonight and take Sylvia"
''I!'' with a gasp.
..You! We can fix it in this way: I'll
call and tell her that have to go to
Grassland tonight, and that you will
take her in my stead. How's thatP''
Reuben had grown radiant.
.Grand-for me. But she,' stammer-
ing sadly, .'she wouldn't like II"
:.Try," suggested Benham, dryly.
Some further conversation they had
on the subject. Then they separated.
And Reuben's heart was lighter and
more hopeful than it had been for many
day. -
The crowd melted away. The town
street. was deserted Dark ard cold the
night closed In. When capped, coated
and mufaed Reuben Bassett jumped
into his cutter and drove OF in the d.
rection Of the Merigolds his pulses were
beating rapidly. How would she re-
ceiye him! Would she be angry and re-
fuse to go7 s,.
But Sylvia, calmly dressing in her own
little nest Of room up under the caves
Of the old farm house, had no thought OF
being angry and no Intention OF reflsr
ing to go. t.5.s.. ..5.. 4
4 Jinglel janglel jingle!
She was just ompleting her. toilet
when she heard the cheery sound. She
stood on tip-toe and glanced at herself
in the mirror, . black and ancient
piece Of furniture, which. truth to tell,
rave back . rather distorted reflection
81 the pretty young face consulting it
But sylvia was acquainted with It's
peculiarities and never unreserved1y &C.
cepted its verdict. Now she nodded
eayly tothe wavy countenance confront
Ing her. @ ss ssls5 l.s ,.ss,.
.55 You look very nice, Sylvia, 4 she
said. :.sa
53 She vas trim and slim and dark.
haired, With short onrls clustering
around the white forehead, and bright,
IS 1...s.1 ~ n fASSss nd In her