The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-08-12
ing again. George
the ring, : Sure
Oanforthl ~

one WecI OUT with nate, IL seems,
nc explained in an injured manner. "I
didn't know it. They're always gadding
about. Have some maraschino or some
thing2'
"Cordial at this hour of the day2"
Tom protested, looking the soul of reas-
suring good nature and betraying no ex.
Citement at the fact of Cunstance's
absence.
He even took up a newspaper.
'He doesn't care" George unused,
gloomily. May be he isn't in love with
her after ALL"
And he sat and eyed his stalwart
frien6, and thought what husband he
would have made for Constance, and
how blind and contrary and exasperating
they all were and how helpless he him
self was to arrange matters as they ought
to be arranged.
He fell into unhappy silence.
"Has the cashier of the Freeseborough
Bank really gone off with tho fundsa"
said Tom, with his handsome nose in the
paper. 'There's rumor to that effect,
Stewards his name. He's rich enough
anyhow. He ought to be"
The bell again!
1t was Mrs. Parfitt, looking pretty aud
pink checked after the fresh air, and as
blithe as though going to the Carpen
ters' reception in her old beaded wrap
were not going to be horrid necessity.
"Oh, you, Tom9" she cried, cordially.
''1 am so glad! Poor George is so
wretched with that cold, and you can
cheer him up"
81 don't need cheering up" said
George, huddling his shawl closer.
"Where is Constauce?"
"Conny2' said Mrs. Parfitt, brightly.
"Oh, we met Hugh Dudley in his cart,
and he took Conuy along with him.
What a stylish turnout ne has!"
Mrs. Paraftt unpinned her bonnet.
"He did, did he2"
Her husband twitched in his chair so
violently that his elbow knocked the
ginger-tea cup to the floor.
"I wonder II that scamp has taken
the money, if it will burst the bank 2" he
said. "It's shame!"
"What bank2" Mrs. Parfitt oues-
toned.
Aud an animated discussion ensued.
Mrs. Parfitt knew the defaulting cash.
ier's daughter; Tom Danforth had known
his brother. George, who knew more
about him than either of them, contri
buted nothing to the conversation.
He leaned back and shut his eyes,
three distinct vertical lines showing be.
tween them. He confessed to himself
that he was entirely out of temper; but
he had-certainly he had-ample cause
for being so-ample distracting cause.
He began to think about goirg up and
going to bed as temporary escape fiom
his Affections.
"And I'm sorry enough for Sally
stewart-There's COMFY" said Mrs.
Parhtt. "Said she shouldn't be gone
long"
Constance came sweeping in. Her
stylish long dress trailed after her with
fine effect. Her light coat was omen. and
ahawad thn 1ahiA--,iIS> vest OF her dress.
Her little hat set back prettily ON her
iair hair which was bloyn~(into
'@fFnY ~ aVvs str2 r. Eins s,. teudrils.
George thought, II mental groau,
that che had never looked so lovely.
''Oh, Tom, you2" Constance cried,
quite as Mrs. Parfitt had done.
And then, not at all as Mrs. Parftt
had done, she gave him both her hands
and-it was no hallucination, it was a
fact-and let him kiss her.
She turned upon her cousin with her
blue eyes sweetly dewy.
"Do you like it, George9" she said.
care you glada know you like Tom.
ron't .,1aa.al2
you before, but we've only been engaged
a week, and nobody but Kate has known
it so far"
"And I thought I wouldn't blurt It
out, said Tom, standing, flushed and
beaming. 81 thought I'd let Conny tell
you, you know"
care you two eugaged2" George
roared. He sought vainly to get his
wife's eye. "Then how about Hugh
DudleyF'
"Mr. DudIey2" said Constance,
vaguely. "Oh, George! You haven't
thought that Hugh Dldley wanted me
or him2 Why, it's all about Grace
Qunby. They were engaged, you know,
and then they had some ridiculous
trouble or other; and Grace and have
been so chummy ever since I've been
here that Mr.. Dudley came right to me
with it, He's been here two or three
times to tell me things to tell her, and
I've told her all of them, for Grace was
foolish and hasty, and it really wasn't
Mr.. DudfoJ at all, and I've been
anxious for them to make it up.~--And.
now they have. He came this morning
to get me to 60 there with him, and he
met me on the street and we went. And
Grace began to cry when she saw him,
and | came away, and"
Constance was sympathetically fearful.
"Well never quarrel, will we, Tom3"
she demanded, tenderly.
And Tom stroked her hand.
"Kate" cried Mr.. Paritt, sternly.
But his wife, laughing till her pink
checks were red, slipped her hand
through his arm
"You're a dear, good boy" he
svowed, "and was a mean, dreadful
girl to do it'll But, George, you were so
cross about my jacket that wanted So
you're always little cross wIen you're
1t home sick, you knoN-and I thought