The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-02-14

! have apparently lost my only chance
81 making an impression"
"What nerycd you TO como out from
your hiding-place at last?v asked Ro-
berta, giving him merry look.
1T was not bravery, madcmoiselle, II
was fear. Another belief I had about
young ladies was that they talked 70
themselves aloud; they do in books, you
know"
"Ycs, know she said, much amused;
they say, i am awcary, awcary, and
would that ! were deadr like Mariana
in tho moatcd grange. But you had not
heard any such exclamation. had you?'
80 far had not; but did not know
at what moment you might break out
into such monody. ! was afraid 70
risk conccalmcnt any longer, mademoi-
sellc.
Don't call me 'madcmoiscllc.' II you
please, Mr.. Lancaster. IL reminds me
Of school life, where ono has to speak in
awe OF moods and tcnscs.r
but see, fraulcin. you have given me
nothing else TO call yoli."
''You seem to know my origin so well
! thought perhaps you had guessed my
name. too
sThcre is one name belonging to
Underwood Seminary" said the young
man. eagerly, that ! have most
charming acquaintance with; should
like 70 guess that one"
Roberta was thankful that the gath
ering dusk hid her glowing cheeks; but
She could not entirely steady her voice
as she said, with would-be carelessness:
"You may have just one guess
1T is Miss Emily Kent"
1T is not
II could have been sure that 10 was
! am so dsappointed,' And indeed his
tone was 50 mournful that Roberta could
not forbcar laughing at the discovery
that this young man had been cherish
| ing sentiment about fat, dull Emily.
"Thcrc is nothing in my name TO
make up for the disappointment" She
said. $50 shall not tell you
you are very nnkind." said her COM
panion; ''but at least you must listen to
my reason for wishing that my guess
| had been right" And then he told
guilty Roberta the story OF his CORE
spondencc, and confided to her that no
had taken this mid-winter journey just
to see the fair author Of those letters.
Now. indeed. Robcrta's GOODNESS and
presence OF mind deserted her. This
is worse than his hiding in the bay-win-
dow" she said to herself Excuse me"
she cried, rising hastily, II must 60 and
see what has become Of the girls"
Roberta hoped that Mr.. Lancaster
would not recognize her again, but
when he was formally introduced to
her the hope vanished; he took up the
conversation just where She had dropped
II in her hasty fight.
Il have seen her. he announced. Civ
ing Roberta a searching look.
who? Your correspondent? Oh.
yes, Emily: she Is very nice girl"
But Miss Parks cheeks were aflame.
and she could not look her companion
in the face.
He said nothing further at the time
about Emily. but devoted himself most
OF the evening to Roberta; and during
their stay at Upton he divided his time
between the two girls, making them tho
envy OF their companions: for. among
all the pleasant bcaux furnished for the
occasion. Mr. Hobart Lancaster was
fdcis princfps.
1T is strange Mr.. Lancaster said to
Roberta. ''how much better acquainted
you can become with some people
through letters than by conversation.
For instance, should never imagine
Miss Emily to be witty, tender, mag
native: and yet know that she Is all
three; in fact. knew her to have all
the qualities that most admire"
A little pang Of jealousy surprised
Roberta. and il was difficult to find
ready and truthful answer. She knew
Emily was neither witty. tender nor
imaginative, and yet the gentleman
seemed TO insist that she should agree
with him. And he kept on insisting;
he pursued Roberta with expressions 81
the admiration he had conceived for
Emily from her letters, and nothing
would satisfy him but her concurrence.
"You have had such opportunities for
knowing that sweet character" he said.
.'that long to hear your opinion Of
Miss Emily. feel greedy to hear your
praises OF her"
At last Roberta turned upon him like
some wild creature at bay. MIR. Lam
caster she said. passionately, Il wish
you would not talk to me any more
about Emily. ] do not admire her as
you do. in fact do not care for her at
all. In my opinion she Is just lazy,
good-natured. commonplace girl. and
can not agree with your praises without
being dccitful."
Never mind" he said. in particu-
larry quiet voice; II am satisfied with
the pleasant fact that you don't know
how to be deceitful."
II was we'll for Roberta that the
curtains Of the bay-window sheltered
her. for she turned rcddcr than was be-
coming or reasonable. She longcd to
tell Mr. Lancaster the whole story and
rid herself. at any cost, from tho feeling
Of dcccitfulncss; but was she free to
tell Emily's secret?
ibid 1t ever occur 70 you. F" she said at
last. breaking what to her was painful
silence, that some other girl might
have written those lcttcrs?"
1T occurred to me the moment saw
Miss Emily" said Mr.. Lancaster, with
~.