The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-03-27

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gracious. am not quick Of speech. e
you are. Or Of wits, either. for that
matter. You must bear with what cant
be cured.
AAnd you will be kind to Dan when he
asks you, to marry him.. won't you?s
pleaded the other with wet eyes and
trembling mouth. s.He will at the first
opportunity. He said so. And he is 80
doubtful Of your feelings that slight
rebuff will drive him away from the sub
ject- You see, Lu, you never had an
offer, and don't understand how much
encouragement q modest man needs in
such circumstance. You must do your
part, or you'll lose him to dead GER
tainty."
A wave OF color, so faint that Sara
could not guess how it scorched the
dark, still face, flickered over Lucy's
forehead,
"Since he did not mean for you to
speak of 1t to any one, wouldn't it be
honorable for us to let the matter drop
here, and try not to think OF it again?'
She said In her level tones, asshe picked
up the white work and gave it little
shake to get out the creases Sara's
weight had left in it.
Sara stared at her in intensest scorn.
IF say another word, III be sorry for
it, she uttered, in desperate composure,
and flung herself out of the room.
At nine o'clock that evening the girls
were in the drawing-room. Amity was
completely restored, and Lucy was play
ing diligently correct accompaniment
to Sara's singing, when Dan Hyde en-
tered. Both sisters saw him, and his
courteous gesture of entreaty that they
should finish the song. Sara smiled
with her eyes and nodded, warbling
spiritedly all the while. Grave Lucy's
fingers were as obedient as in stitch-set-
ting. Time and tune were accurate.
Her playing was like her voice in speak
ing, mechanical, yet holding vague in
timations Of an imprisoned soul.
The brilliant little blonde had an in
SEPARATION, and bit Of swift tefegraphy
went on behind Luey's back. Neither
Of the respondents thought of the mir
ror in which the dumb show was re-
peated.
Within fifteen minutes after the three
sat down together, Dan had asked Sara
for book he had lent her, and she had
flown upstairs to get it before Lucy
could offer to do the Grand
The elder sister sat Down again on the
opposite side of the fire from the visitor,
with an inarticulate murmur of embar-
rassment he mistook for dissatisfaction.
Her face was as fine and cool as marble
Minerals She leaned back in her chair,
her beautiful hands overlapping one an
other at the wrists, and relieved artist
ically by the maroon of her velvet
gown. She looked altogether composed
and trifle weary Heavy rain had
come on with the night, and in the
dead,s brief silence succeeding Sara s
fight they heard the wash and thud of
the wind-driven flood against wall and
window.
Dan Hyde might not be confident
lover, but his was not the faint heart
that never wins. He led off tolerably
we'll,
''How cozily delightful home and fire.
side are on a night like thisl" he began,
in a natural, colloquial strain.
Very" replied Lucy, dryly.
s'It makes one long for a home of
his ewH,,n was the wooer's next advance.
Lncy's face paled and stiffened. She
gazed steadily into the ruddy palpita-
lions of the CRATE, and could not have
spoken to save her SOUL
At that exact instant an ignited lump
of coal ratified from the top of the heap
into the fender and both stopped for the
tongs. Dan secured them, picked up
fragments, laid them in place, restored
the tongs to the rack, crossed the rug,
and took chair beside Lucy's. Another
chatter called his eyes to the unlucky
fire. The tongs had slipped their moor
ings and lay kicking widely on the
hearth. AS quickly as her sister could
have moved Lucy sprang forward, set
them up, and crossing the rug in her
turn, took STRAIGHTFORWARD reception
chair, the whole width of the hearth
distant from her sutton.
Dams face glowed like the hottest
Goals, to which Lucy's eyes went back
with a show of tranquil interest; then it
paled to the hue of cold ashes.
81 would be conceited fool If | did
not understand why you did that, Miss
Knight he said, hnski1y.tsf came
here tonight to say something to you
which | see you areenot willing to hear.
have too much respect for you to tor
ment you with an unwelcome suit.
Good night, Lucy! God bless you"
He took up the impressive fingers that
lay like ice in his. With such an effort
as the d ,ing make to speak, she forced
three words through her throat:
81 am sorry!"
81 know you are very sorry for my
disappointment You have nothing to
reproach yourself with. You never lured
me on to a proposal. You are all noble,
all maidenly. Goodbye, again!"
1t took, Sara sixty-seven minutes by
the hall clock to! look for the, borrowed
volume, and then she presented herself
below stairs, empty-handed. Lucy sat
alone by the dying fire. The wind
howled fendishly, and kissing drops Of
hail found their way down the chimney
"Where is DAMP" Sara stopped just
within the door to calculate.
Gle went away soon after you left us, :
said Lucy; indifferently, or dreamily.
Lucy Knight! if you have sent him
off, win never forgive you! prepared
you for what he had to say!'
If Lucy ever sneered, there was sneer
now upon her proud mouth. Shedragged
herself to her feet, which felt dead and
queer. Sitting SO long in the straight
backed chair had cramped her limbs.
But she walked firmly across the room
to shut the piano.
.Perhaps you prepared me little toe
well?n she said. ssWe will not speak OF
it again. Mr.. Hyde has nothing to com
plain of! nor have /. How it rains!
hope the sashes are locked all over. the
house"
A year later there was wedding at
which Dan Hyde was the bridegroom.
Among the first to follow the congratu-
latorv relatives, when the ceremony was