The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-08-24


you invent such wicked, cruel lies?
FIossie, it is you that has epoilt our
lives, and ! VIII never forgive you
never, as long as / liver
ELLA, cried the younger sister, utterly
astonished at this outburst, why didn't
you tell me the other day how miserable
you were and how you dared not speak
about it? And now, when p
600 away, Flossie. You have done
mischief enough
oh, very well; I'm going, if this is all
/ get for helping you. Is it my fault If
you don't know your own mind and say
what you don't mean? And if you really
want your dear beloved George back
again, there's time yet. He hasn't gone;
he's in the drawing room with mother. .
How infinitely petty her past misery
seemed now. For what trifes she had
thrown away Georges honest heart. If
only there was a chance still, at least
false pride should not come between
them any longer. So thought Ella on
her way to the drawing room.
George was still there. As she turned
the door handle she heard her mothers
clear, resonant tones. Not that that is
any excuse for Ella. she was saying.
Ella burst precipitately into the room.
She was only just in time, for George
had risen, and was evidently on the point
Of leaving.
George. she exclaimed, painting after
her rapid flight, 81 came to tell you''-
my dear Ella, interrupted Mrs. Hyl-
ton, 1.-THE kindest thing you can do for
George now is TO let him go without
any more explanations.
Ella stopped; again her mind became
blank. What had she come for? What
was it she felt she must say? While she
hesitated, George was already at the
other door; he seemed anxious to avoid
hearing her-in another second he would
be gone. She cried to him piteously:
George, dear George, don't leave me
II can't bear It'll"
'sThis is too ridiculousf" exclaimed her
mother angrily. What is it that you
do want. Ella?'
Il want George, she said simply. ''It
was all mistake, George. Flossie mis-
took Oh, you don't really think that
| have left off caring for you? haven't
dear, indeed haven't. Won't you be-
lieve me2'
Il had better leave you to come to an
understanding together said Mrs. Hyl-
ton, not in the best of tempers, for she
had been more sorry for George than for
the rupture he came to announce, and
she swept out Of the room with very per-
cepdble annoyance.
81 thought it was all up with me, Ella,
I did indeed" said George. minute or
two later, his face still pale after all this
emotion; "but tell me-what's wrong
with the furniture ordered?"
Nothing, dear, nothing, she answer
ed, blushing; don't think about it any
more"
No, but your mother was talking
about it, too, he insisted. .sCome, Ella,
dear, for heavens sake let us have no
more misunderstanding see now
what an ass / was not to wait and let
you choose for yourself; these aesthetic
things are not in my line. But I'd no
idea you cared SO muchr
But don't nova bit"
"WeH, do, then, and the house must
be done all over again, and exactly as
you would like it, so there's no more to
be said about it," said George, without a
trace of pique or wounded vanity.
George, you are too good to me. I
don't deserve it, and indeed you must
not. Think of the expensey'
His face heightened slightly; he knew
well enough that the change would cost
him dear
I'm manage it somehow" he declared
stoutly.
Would her mother help them now2
thought Ella, and felt more than doubt
full No, in spite of her own wishes, she
must not allow George to carry out his
intentions.
"But you forget Carrie and Jessie, I"
she said. eve shall hurt their feelings
SO if we change now"
by Jovel I forgot that" he said.
'tYes, they won't like it--they meant
well, poor girls, and took lot of trou-
BILE. Still, you're the first person to be
considered, Ella. I'll try and smooth it
over with them, and if they choose to be
offended, why, they must, that's all.
And tell you what, suppose we go and
see the house now, and you shall tell me
just what wants doing to maleit right.
She would like to have declined this
rather invidious office, especially as she
felt no compromise to be possible; but
he was SO urgent that she finally agreed
to go with him
As they gained Canpden Hill and en-
tered the road in which their house
stood, George stopped.
"HulloT he said, shat can't be the
house-what's the matter with it,"
Very soon it was pretty evident what
had been the matter. The walls were
scorched and steaming, the window
sashes were empty, charred and wasted
by fire, the door was blistered and black
ened; a stalwart fireman, in his undress
cap, with his helmet slung at his back,
was just opening the gate as they came
up.
Cant come in, sir" he said civi1ly
enough; mo one admitted"
Hang itr exclaimed George, s'it's my
own fire. I'm the tenant"
"Oh, beg your pardon, sir; it's been
got under some hours now. / was Just
going off duty