The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-11-04

y .
Frank backed out, feeling like kicking
himself all the way to Goney Island He
crept up through their scuttle to the
roof again, and went down his own as
noiselessly as possible, wondering, as he
lighted the gas in his chamber to make
sure there was not another blunder,
what version of the affair would get
abroad. -.-,... ..-..
He awoke tho next morning with a
Yexing recollection of the ridiculous
figure he had cut the night before. He
was sensitive about what others would
have regarded as a rare joke, and had
half mind not to make the evening call
he had promised Ida.
He was standing in a crowd on the ele-
waited platform, waiting for the train
that afternoon, when he heard Mrs.
Wyatt's voice behind him. He did not
turn his head. He could hear perfectly
well the story she was pouring out
"Charles felt queer about it." she was
saying. land would would have been
jealous if he could have seen the slight
est grounds for jealOusly. Poor Frank!
He was dreadfully embarrassed, for it
was queer blunder to make. / know
him of old, so sensitive, never could turn
off joke. He was gone on me in those
days, and betW cen you and me don't
think he's quite over it yet. l suppose l
didn't treat him quite right, but there
was Charles, worth five times the
money"
The train Numbered up just then, and
Frank pushed in with the rest, without
allowing himself to glance in the direc-
ton of auditor and speaker. He was
MORALLY afraid Ida would see him and
seize upon him in the train, but he
eluded her.
1T will never do; / must face Wyatt
in the light" he thought with a grim
smile, as he reluctantly rang the bell at
Mrs. Dear's the next evening.
In another minute he stood in the front
parlOr, and Ida was coming through the
open folding doors, holding out her hand
effusively.
$50 glad to see you in the light" she
said with significant smile, as she held
his hand in the close grasp he remem-
bered so well. Come this way, and be
made better acquainted with Mr.. Wyatt"
Frank found himself facing a stout,
red faced, elderly man, who held out his
hand with an air of mental reservation,
as though he had not fully grasped the
meaning of last nights episode. But
Frank did not mind his lack of cor
diality. A graceful figure was rising
from rocker, the smile of his Riverside
Park divinity was beaming upon him,
and Ida was saying, miss Dear, allow
me to introduce my old friend, Frank
Richardson" in a glow of self-congratu
lation.
AS Frank acknowledged the introduc-
ton, he OWNED by the young lady's
amused glance that she had been put in
rngonosinV, nf hn of
nights caper, with more or less embel-
upon him also that she was Ida's auditor
at the elevated station.
His spirit was rising. His morbid
sensitiveness was put to flight by the
presence of Miss Dear. He had been
made 10 appear to her as q love-lorn
milksop, probably. He must make him
coli coli whole In her eyes without delay.
He set himself to get even with Ida,
who was rattliug on reminiscently. He
took pleasure in helping her to recall old
times. He rang changes OH the differ
ent scenes in which they had figured.
Half dozen times he turned the tables
on her skilfully, The presence of the
beautiful girl was as stimulating as wine.
He became witty, fascinating, brilliant.
Ida had led off, but found herself in the
second place presently. Wyatt looked
from one to the other with grim, puz-
zled air, not knowing if the skilful
sword thrusts were "half fun and whole
earnest" or uice uerSG.
Frank know by Miss Dear's eloquent
face that he had made a favorable i'm
preston upon her. Ida's sentences
came less trippingly; he had forced her
into a curiously respectful attitude
toward him, and when he asked nom
chalantly, feeling himself complete mas
ter of the situation. Isn't it strange,
Mrs. Wyatt, that you and l should have
fancied ourselves in love with each
other in those days ?" Ida felt quite at
the end of her resources.
Frank has grown strangely complacent
over his summer night blunder, because
it brought him face to face, though in an
awkward, roundabout fashion, with
Emma Dear.
You were the magnet that drew me
down the wrong scuttle," he told her.
II left 1t open to let in the air that
night, but had no idea it would let in
anything else" she answered demurely.
1t looks now as though a wedding
would result from a certain bachelors
blunder.-By George S. Arnold.