The Globe-republican., 1891-05-20

The Colonel sworo extensively when -
card about 1t al, and called Priddie some
.,ry ugly names, which gave the soul Of
L;oughton infinite comfort. He vowed, more
yer, that he would not rest in his four-post
ed until that bull was made into beef.
'sAnd CAD if wouldn't like to make that
- fool eat every square inch of him p he
ended, thunderously, listing the table until
:ae spoons and glasses gave tongue shrilly.
Boughton did not see Judith alone after
that for more than week. It was within
ten days of Christmas, and she was end
lessly occupied about something or other.
But she found time, however, to give him
plenty Of smiles and gay words in passing.
And he had sent to New York for some
thing which he knew that she very much
wanted, SO that altogether, though tanta-
LIKING, it was not very unpleasant Philip,
moreover. was rather anxious to find out
whether he was only pretty deeply smitten,
or very much in love, and he thus found
time to discuss that momentous question
with his inner man-that individual who u
always such loose or tight fit for his outer
representative.
OF course the Colonel had insisted upon
his remaining until Christmas; and he was
TO hang up his stocking, of course-hal hal
And there should be some young folks,
and bOntires, and what not. Also, there
were some sleighs sent up from Richmond,
and the place was literally resonant with
the voices Of expectant nigs, big and little.
On Christmas Eve, however, Boughton
managed to find her alone, although Dick
had arrived, and she seemed buster than
ever.
He was going along the corridor to his
room, when he caught glimpse of her
through the half-open door Of little paneled
room, which she called her Tea Caddy."
She was standing on the gray deer-skin rug
before the fire, in the cream-white frock he
liked, and wearing the Identical blue beads
and bow which he remembered so well Her
feet werc sunk out Of sight in the thick fur,
but he fancied that she sported the bronze
shoes.
There was q glisteR in her eyes which
BOughtOn did not think was all freight,
and she cllnked the beads of her necklace
hurriedly together.
do let me como in" he SAID, pushing the
door further open.
She looked up vaguely. As though from .
dream, and said: Certainly" So In he
went, shutting the door behind him. It was
= pretty room, with much blue chintz on
windows and furniture, and many hunting
traps about. There were two old chairs on
either side of the fireplace, which could
have held six Judiths apiece, and In one Of
these she now placed herself, still keeping
her hand on the beads at her throat.
BOughton sat down on the rug at her feet,
Turk fashion, and took bis crossed ankles
into q capable grasp.
II never saw half such q pretty ROOM"
he remarked, looking about him. ats you,
Judith, ali over again.
is i'll" she said, still in that absent fash
ion; and then added, with . sort of laugh:
"Yes, it is rather blue"
CHAPTER ".
REJECTED AGAIK.
"What! Are you blue" Boughton
asked, convinced now that the glisten was
not due to the freight. ION Christmas
Eve, tooi That will not do the least in the
world. What's wrongg"
She tossed herself back into tho open
arms Of the big chair witt. q pctulant gest-
ure.
Every thing" she crled-''Esery thingr'
Boughton sat moment gazing steadily
into the fire.
judith" he said, at last, can't you tell
me, dears Knight help you, you know."
"You couldn'tl you couldn't!" she said,
still vehemently knitting her chestnut
brows, which ia that position were ubsurdly
like her fathers. Nobody can. l can't
myself. Oh dsdr!''
It is impossible TO express the rebellion
condensed into that one ''Oh! dearv' The
room seemed to rever0erate with 1t.
Boughton could think of absolutely moth
ing to say just then, SO he edged along to-
ward her over the deerskin rug, until he
could rest his arm on the arm of her chair
Tell me. he urged. "Do. Judith. One
San never tell Perhaps may be the very
one to help you"
But she said "No." very CURLY, and
stared over his head into the fire.
Presently, however, she burst forth
again:
"Was there ever such q wild place as the
Of Virginia. do you thinkr" she
:ried.
At that, "Ohw said Phil to himself Dick
,ad Of course been getting into trouble, and
lad cast his burden upon his sisters plucky
title shoulders, after his usual brave
fashion.
II don't know much about it, you know"
,e made answer. what has Dick bees |
elling your .a'
She looked at him sharply.
"Why do you think Dick has been telling |
No any thing!" she asked, in rather care. |
ul voice.
SLOW else should you knowi" Boughton |
aid, easily. but of course don't tell me |
,nless ron wish
Suddenly she leaned forward, setting one
land back down in the other as they rested
N her knees. Eernec!1lace swung forward
rom her bending throxf, and the freight
asst dainty, circular shadows from its beads
lpon the snowy white Of her neck
ayes, 1 will tell you" she said, suddenly
Dick is in deht-the old, old story to SIS
ers-fOr how much do you SUPPOSED
II don't know" said Boughton, stupldly.
He was not thinking in the least of Dick
ust then. He was wondering how many of
hose little soft round shadows there were
n her white breast, AMI whether he could
cunt them if he tried.
''Well, then-for eIght-do you hear.-for
DEMONSTRATIONS"
THAT'S not SO very bad" said Boughton,
ave can mill hi m 4 ron 0i, |