Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-06-13

"She's the most dangerous little mink
of all he said to himself, ''and | know
it was she who made the greatest row
about the mouse"
The next afternoon was bright
enough for all the young people to be
off. But somehow they hung about
that side veranda where Milward and
Langley were accustomed to hob-nob
in peace.
Presently a lout of a boy came
tramping along. He had something in
his hands, and it could be seen by his
dress that he was from the stables.
Just as he came lea the group he stu
pidly dropped what he held, and a
mouse, half stunned, scrambled to its
little feet and ran for refuge under Mil
wards chair.
Good Lord" he screamed, with as
wild an antic as his helpless leg would
admit of. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Langley scurried into the parlor,
The girls held their ground heroically
and made no sign. They had pledged
themselves to perfect calm, even if the
mouse were to nibble them to death.
"Where's my cane? Jerry, where
is the thing? Catch ~it!-o-u-ch!"
The girls could no longer contain
themselves. They laughed till the
tears ran.
ut was a shame" Betty said after
ward, ''for he is an old man
"Why, I've played just such tricks
on uncle since | vas an urchin," said
Jerry. 'He likes it. It's good for his
govt. 1t makes him active, Didn't
you see him dancer"
1T wasn't dignifed," said Marian,
with growing shame.
"No, but twas fEn," said Jerry,
"Maybe twill cure him Of criticizing
others. At any rate we're quits
But Milward was not cured. lie still
kept a hawks watch on the young
ladies. He thwarted every plan he
could, until Jerry was far more in
love with Marian than If he had been
let alone.
"Ill convince uncle yet" he said.
As the days shortened and the chill
twilights fell the summer visitors fitted
away to the cities, until there were
few left.
To these few the broad wood fire.
places in p%arlors and office became more
and more rallying points. Games and
frolics of all kinds were in order. Jerry
/ and Afarion t.-nrn tha h,,tt nf a ,r.Ant
deal of sport because they cared for
nothing but chess. They could whis-
per their sentimental nothings over
that and no one be the wiser.
81 am sure uncle likes you in spite of
himself" he said to her one evening in
the parlor. But even after all his
own frightened capers he is forever re-
ferrtng to nerves and Mysteries. Once
astride a hobby he is never willing to
get Off"
II never expect him to like me-" said
Marian, ruefully. "And l wonder you
do, with him always critical of me-"
The little community was to break
up in a few days and Marian was de-
pressed II almost fearful.
"When you've gone abroad you'll for.
get all about me-" she added with a pa
thetic little fling of her handkerchief.
Look out for your knight" said
Jerry. She had swept one from the
board. 1t had fallen under the sofa.
She looked about a little, then left
har nhni. Ctnpna1 Invpn and l,a.- "a
from its hiding place.
Marian burst out Jerry, who had
been watching her, 81 have an idea
the idea"
Lets finish the game"
mo, no, listen! l have thought Of a
way to circumvent the ~tyrant."
"Oh, pray don't, Jerry. You look *
actly as you do when you have mischief
In hand. The matter is too serious for
sport"
Jerry smiled wisely.
II shouldn't have been alive to-day
II l hadn't the wit to defend myself"
he said.
81 am in no spirit to listen to plots"
she sighed. ut is late, and WHY,
Jerry Milward, everybody has gone
but u.s."
They're all out in the Office where
the gentlemen are smoking. Wait a
minute. BY tomorrow night, this time,
l shall have uncle converted, or nv
name is not jerry
Marian was still pensive.
Trust me, darling. I shall never
marry that odious, poky creature uncle
wants me to. If you can't be my wife,
won't have any,"
A tear stole down Marian's cheek.
She could not believe in miracles.
my argument is a clincher," cried
Jerry, gayly. "Hurrah! l can meet
him on his ground. The victory is
ours"
Next morning old Milward's govt
was very bad. Jerry was attentive and
sympathetic. He did not even seek the
society of the young ladies.
Finally, at the right moment, he
said:
I'VE go away in the morning, I sup
pose. l guess it's Just as well, uncle"
significantly. THE country isn't de-
sirable after the season is over"
why, what's happenedp"
"Oh, nothing worth speaking Of
nothing at all, in fact"
But l know there has" persisted the
old man, ~doggedly.
ut won't make you nervous, will II,
II l tell your"
mo, not half so nervous a your man.
ner and hints do"
ats about one Of the young ladies'.
She proved herself quito . heroine last
night"
"humph."
"It's true. We WERE sitting up rather
later than common, and Miss Marian
and ] were playing chess. / was get