The National tribune., 1890-04-10
CHATTER VI.

Arrived at the modest hostelry called the
American House, Clara Romaine asked the
waitress who opened the door of the Ladies'
Entrance if Mr.. Willard Chapman was in. Re-
ceiving an affirmative reply, Clara walked into
the Ladies' Parlor.
= Please tell him somebody's here who's got
an important letter for him, said Clara, with
an air of mystery.
The waitress was a brawny redheaded per-
son, of an exceedingly practical turn of mind.
and evidently of distinct Hibernan ancestry.
Ignoring the smiles and wiuks Of the pert
beauty IN the parlor, she walked to the balus-
tiers, and resolutely clutching the newell shouted
out in a steniorian voice:
Say, Muster Chipmaum
Clara left the parlor, and saw Chapman put
lis head over the top of the winding stairs.
What's wanted ?"
q Tis a craytur wild letthre fer yes"
Bring it up said Chapman
Let her bring ii up herself. thin" retorted
the Hlbernau lady. angrily nouncing oil in the
direction OF the rear regions. /" Is it mcself ye
take fer yer nayguF or what?"
The agile Clara ran up the short staircase like
a monkey climbing a tree.
p" Never mind, Mr.. Chapman" she said. "I'Il
wait till you read it. It's from Miss Abby
She said perhaps there would be an answer,
and perhaps there Wouldn't And besides. she
said was 10 bc sure to give it TO you in your
own hands"
Chapman was in his shirt sleeves, and led the
way back into his room.
" Sit down there Sis, said he pointing TO a
chair and shutting the door, while | read it,"
lie was completely astOnished at the con-
tents OF Abigails missve. Such an immediate
yielding to her fathers prepDsterous proposal
he considered inexcusahle weakness on the part
Of his afiianced wife. He began letter to her.
Az INDIGNANT PROTEST
against the arrangement to which she had
consented, aud one in which he said he would
nave no share, let her fathers anger take what
form il would.
He paused. tore the letter up fearing its ex-
pressions were too violent. Desiring further
information Of what had passed at the house
he called Clara 10 his side at the table
The radiance of the girls beauty fairly took
ms breath away as now for the first time lie
observed IL in detail. She still wore the gray
dress he had admired in the morning. aud
which fitted TO perfection every curve OF her
rounded form but the large. black lace hat
planted rakishly on the side OF her head formed
a background OF marvellous advantage for her
golden curls. her azure eyes her marble brow
her checks and lips. where roses and cherries
wed each other in their varying reds
" Well, Beauty" he began. then stopped
What was he going 10 say? Positively he had
forgotten. Heavens what a lovely creature,
Z" ] wish you wouldn't call me them names.
Mr. Chapman" said the poor little Venus.
pi;eously; =" don't like IT,"
Chapman laughed aluud.
" Well, you're the first woman ever saw
that didn't like 10 be told she was a beauty
lie took her hand in a friendly way.
" It's 50 kind Of lantaizna" remarked Clara
:" 70 have people call you beauty aud all that
just ike as If you was a lapd0g and that was
yoar name and then not pay any more atten-
ton TO Won than as if you was as ugly as old
scratch"
"Oh, pshaw 4" exclaimed Chapman, incredn
lously. You have plenty Of fellows who pay
attention TO you
" No. haven't plenty, any such thing"
" We'll, u not plenty, why one then 2" he
urged. He was finding himself strangely inter.
estcd IN the conversation.
q" hain't," she exclaimed. petnlantly.
Why, what sort Of taste must the men OF
this ben ightcd village have" lie cried still
clInging to her hand. Is 1t true, Sissy that
you have 10 beau"
''Course it's true" she replied with be-
witching pOut "Iain't my fault; Air. Morton
is too mean 10 live bout that. A man ihat
spilled rs with butter last Summer-ho-hc-
tried to put his arm around my waist one morn.
ing and old Morton come out ia the yard sud
den and kicked him fearful
And 80 the buttcrman did not get his
kissg"
10 ne didh Dut IL washt my fault"
Chapman laughed, still holding her soft III.
tie hand.
81 hardly know" he said, slowly, how ans
man can look at your lips aud not want % kiss
them" @
There was pause; he staring at her, she
blnabiug.
" j. there any-any answer to the letter."
she asked, presently.
AO-yeg-wait "A minute You're sure the
hutterman didn't get his kiss? Old Morton
interrupted ehf Heavens, Sissy, do yon know
you are the most beautiful crcatnrci ncver
SAW such cycs-such hair-sucl a rosy month y
Which WAS light aud which was moth? I'm.
doGbtcdly both showed the characteristics Of
each, Us their lips met ia 4 long aud trcmulous
/ kiss.
TO Je continued
FiIe your cioim NOW. Read uhat has been