The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-05

PIES next suggestion-which was of Bran
Boullter. As to our plans, they were easi-
ly framed, and the only thing to do was to
carry them out carefully. managed to be
free on the evening Of the ball in such a
manner as not to run the chance of arous-
ing Penny's suspicious; when he asked me
in perfunctory manner if / did not wish
to go hesitated just long enough to make
him think that really did not care about
it; and of course there was no difficulty in
keeping my costume out of his sight. Emma
Naples and had agreed to dress alike in
order the better to be able to confuse our
friends, and we fixed on white dominos
with tasseled hoods and white silk wizards
as our costume. Bran Boullter was to call
for Emma and then go to my mothers
house, for me.
But on the evening of the appointed day,
when, after having seen Penny go off with
his cigar, had gone to my mothers and
was sitting in the parlor waiting, was in
clined to be sorry that had hot agreed to
go with the captain. For on the afternoon
of that very day something had occurred
which had considerably enlightened me as
to the reason of Bran's changed condition.
He met me in Walnut street and walked
home with Inc. 1t was gorgeous after
noon; the russell bar of the sunset glowed
at the end Of the vista of the street, fading
off into the cold pale blue Of the wintry
sky; the heaps of snow and tie darkening
pavements about us were beginning to
chill the air which had caught u little glow
of cheerfulness during the day from the
glittering sun; dark through the leafiess
trees in the square moved the hurrying
forms of worklnen, and the crunch of their
feet on the snow sounded crisp aud strong
/ was glad to be walking briskly against
the empty cold; the little patches of dust
ed snow on which trod seemed elastic and
invigorating. When we came indoors out
of the falling darkness I pulled off my
sealskin coat quickly and ran to the soft
coal fire in the back drawing room, and
stood looking into its elfin blaze, shading
my glowing cheek with benumbed hands.
Presently began to rub my hands over
the heat.
"Are your hands co1d?" said Bran; there
was deep tremble in his voice.
"Yes," said I.
Without saying anything more he took
one of my hands in both of his and began
stroking it slowly. | looked up at him
quickly. The room was unlighted, save
by the fire, and as he leaned against the
mantel the freight fiickered on his face.
A sudden apprehension took possession of
me-his intent gaze must mean something.
SIS it possible" said I-my hand still lay
passivein his-''is it possible that-that''-
That you are the cause of all my
troubles?" said he. Eyes, it is"
looked away from him and into the fire.
My first impulse had been to draw my head
away instantly, but unfortunately / hesi-
tated. really did not sufficiently think of
the situation. Bran's presence that after
noon had somehow affected me. / had
been delighted to see him when he stopped;
it was like old times; felt like his cousin,
his old comrade, and the old fondness for
him returned, as it would every now and
then. All the way up the street had been
lightly remembering the old days, and now
l forgot myself and delayed the instant of
reason and reproof But the fire gave me
no counsel. I watched it for little while
in silence, knowing that his eyes were on
me all the time. Poor boy, poor boyl So
l had been to blame for all his unhappi-
nessl turned again presently and looked
at him steadily. "You should not say this
to me-" said. "You must CO."
He dropped my hand and left me. So, as
I said, was very thoughtful as sat in my
mothers little parlor and waited for him
and Emma Naples. My chief trouble was
to fix the exact amount of my own respon-
sibility, but the more thought the more
it seemed to be reduced, and though at first
had felt almost as soft hearted about him
as on that eventful evening when had re-
fused him, finally, becoming somewhat
impatient as he and Emma Naples still de-
layed, decided that if anybody was to
blame Bran Boullter was, for had given
him absolutely no encouragement, and if
his foolish speeches to me while we drove
through the park together had been based
upon the supposition that / was encourag-
ing Captain Brague, why he deserved the
additional unhappiness which he would
now receive from having mistaken my
meaning when / told him not to fear his
fate too much. He need not run after me
unless he wants to, said I, and of course he
must do SO no longer. was really sorry
for the poor boy; seemed fated to destroy
his happiness; but clearly was not to
blame. While I was trying to think over
the best way to reprove poor Bran-dear
me! what an unnecessary amount of
trouble l seemed to be having-the door
bell rang, and presently he came in alonel
'Where's EmmaP Where's Mrs Ma
plesi" said l. !,
"She can't CO." said he. Here's note
from her."
took the note-she simply said that she
had a bad headache and could not go; she
was awfully sorry and begged me to enjoy
myself without thinking of her. I unused
over the letter for little while. It was
my duty, suppose, considering the cir
cumstances, to give up the expedition.
had at last succeeded in justifying my GO
ing at all on the argument that Mrs. Ma
pies presence would do away with all pos
sibility Of suspicion on Bran's part that
did not mean to be angry with him. But
now?
Well, after all, what harm could there
be in goings had quite made up my
mind to be very serious with him, and in
the meantime there was no reason why
should lose any fun just because he had
chosen to behave foolishly. When had
thus decided looked up and said calmly:
"Then suppose we shall have to go
without her. What pity she is not WE'LL"
A slight movement passed over his feat
ures. could not detect its import. "Dear
me" said to myself, 81 hope he is not
going to give me any more troubled At all
events can treat him like a stick of wood,
and if l am impassive, what can he dor" All
at once remembered that my domino was
out in the carriage, and stopped for mo-
ment; at the end of which time had de-
cided that my costume was too conspicu-
GUS for me, and that l could very well
make use of an old black domino and mask
had once had for some girlish frolic, and
which l knew was somewhere among my
mothers belongings. In a few minutes /
had found H. laavinO Rran with INV moth