The Globe-republican., 1891-05-20

his new trappings, flushed and really look
ing quite gallant. Judith had still the adj
vantage OF tha, half inch, but the boy was
sturdier than at seventeen, and carried
himself very well
They arrived about shutdown, and the
Colonel, being confined to his room by .
very sharp attack of govt, they had some
chocolate in Judith's ''Tea Caddy." The
hard times of sweet potato coffee and
blackberry-leaf tea had not yet changed,
and Judith's chocolate was above praise.
Boughtou cast . rather curious look about
the room as he sat down, and Judith hand
ed him one Of the wide, shallow cups that
he remembered It was all just the same,
all except the kitten in the Toby-collar, who
was now sedata matron with two chill
dren, who had each inherited Toby-collar,
a. much like their parents as possible.
Boughtou took one upon his knee, and
Dick captured the other, while Judith min
istered to their mamma with bits of cake
soaked in the chocolate.
say" remarked Dick. suddenly, '.by
-! if it isn't only week from Christmas.
Do you remember the way you trotred OF
and left US on Christmas Eve three years
ago, Cousin Phil! You do, don't you,
Judyw
Judith said: ''Oh, yes" that she remem-
bered, Of course.
Boughton. who was smoking one Of tho
Coloners old Cabanas, lazily strolled the
paw of the kitten on his knee with the unoc-
cupied fingers of his cigar hand. Judith
thought she detected smile-the wrath of
q smile behind the smoke haze. She drew
herself up, and a very naughty look came
over her fair, firelit features.
"Assuredly remember it," said BOugh-
ton, all Of sudden. when Dick, who was
busily engaged in tormenting his kitten by
pulling Its Toby collar half over its ears,
had forgotten that he had put the question.
81 should think did. - he wenton. 1.-THE
thermometer was only fifteen above zero,
and the wagon got stalled in q snow drift
before we were half way to the station"
Judith again waxed perceptibly taller.
She would have added two or three cubits
to her stature II she could have done so.
She told herself that she hated her cousin
Philip Boughton very much indeed.
"Well, Jude certainly made a lovely
present out Of you. anyway" laughed Dick.
"And, l must say, she appreciated it. I
last three years
Boughton could not repress q quick look
in Judith's direction. She was making fire
screen out of one Of her long hands, and he
could not see her expression for the shad-
ows from her fingers But. by and by,
when Dick went out for something or other,
he pitched his cigar into the fire and went
over beside her.
"Have you really worn that trinket all
this time?" he said, with more Of curiosity
than any other emotion apparent liz his
voice.
Certainly" said Judith, stiff1y. "You
were very good in sending it to me, and 1
was very rude to YOU"
She got suddenly to her feet and stood in
front of him.
"Cousin Phil" she said, in quick, vi
brating tone that he hal never before
heard her use, Il began three letters to you
about that, but l was ashamed to send
them was afraid you would not read
them. was sorry-I-I an sorry" she
ended, under her breath
There was a pause, but before he could
speak, she had turned back the sleeve of
her gray gown from her pretty, blue
veined arm, and had uufastened the dull
gold links, with their sapphire settings.
"Here," she SAID, hOlCing it out to him;
IT,.
meant-to return it TO you
"Dld your said BOughton, in a somewhat
curious voice.
He allowed her to put the bracelet in his
hands, stood turning it about in the glow
from the fire which made daylight in the
big, blue stones.
"Of course you don't expect me to keep
it," he said at last, looking up at Der.
hu7 ,hx,1, hnc n,
30, well, because like to fancy you more
than other women, perhaps. You
know it wouldn't be very consistent to tell
me- that you were sorry for q rudeness in
one breath, and then to commit another in
the next. Would it, nOw!'
"I-don't underestimate said the Lady
Tongue, who seemed all at once to have
her claim to that title.
"Why, you see," Phil went on slowly,
''it isn't very civil to return a gift. May
put it on for your
She stood perfectly silent for fully mo-
nent. There was no sou nd save from the
softly cracking fire. Then she held out her
is place, he said, quietly:
"That was very pretty custom among
he Jews, was it notl-the custom Of having
bracelets"
ibid theyr' said Judith, indistinctly.
"Why, you must have read of it. The !
over put on the bracelet and then pushed |
rack his sweetheart's vail for the first time
Your hair is like vail, Judith"
lis itw said Judith.
There was hammering at her ears, and |
lis voice came to her indistinctly. She felt
hat he was drawing her nearer and nearer
o him by the arm that he still held, then
lis hand was on her hair pushing it bach
rom her temple and eyes. Then his
mouth upon her mouth.
She seemed suddenly to break from a
pell. She pushed him from her with
hight and main, and stood apart, shudder-
ag but erect.
''You-you-think that you have only to
Sir Oracle" she said, in q
teady voice. She even smiled a little.
hen she took off the bracelet and laid it on
be table between them.
'Tcan not wear it." she said, very clearly.
And dad will be wanting me now Good
light"
She was gone, and Boughton stood for
everal minutes with his chin set in his
numb and forednger, looking down at the
retty blue and gold kickshaw.
1t was just three days after this that