Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-25

whom she had to explain her nunsuc-
cess.
"Just what l expected, Miss Bar
bara," said he cheerfully. Zone is
never sure of chance of that kind till
one actually has it. wouldn't build
upon it if l were in your place."
"You don't seem to have had fortu-
nate experience in that way" retorted
Barbara ungratefully. st is only de-
ferred in this case and am in no hurry
for few days"
"Days!' echoed John. "a man in our
office has waited years, and is likely to
wait, SO far as can see."
Ten days later came the much looked
for communication from Dodd & Son:
1--WE are in receipt Of Miss Reeds
paper, and would assure her the matter
shall have our best attention. etc.
Barbara flung it into her desk with a
disappointed face. It was tedious to be
obliged to wait in suspense likSthis. She
would scarcely know how to get through
the time but for Mr.. Lawrence's atten-
ton and warm interest in the upshot.
John Grants indifference, not to say
skepticism, on the subject, threw up his
rivals superior qualities in full relief;
and yet there were times when Barbara
felt just a little puzzled that Mr.. Law.
renee went no further. With all hi,
solicitude and looks that meant more
than words, he never absolutely COM
mitted himself to anything more bind
ing than the merest friendship.
81 can't ask him." she said one day
under her breath, as she walked slowly
home after one of these accidental"
meetings. "But do wish he would say
straight out what he means or else stay
away altogether. It makes one feel un-
settled"
Poor Barbara felt more unsettled still
before she reached home. 1t was a lovely
summer evening, and fifty yards further
on she was joined by another cavalier,
John Grant this time. She shrank back
at first, half afraid Of some jesting re-
mark about the legacy, but she soon dis
covered that he had quite forgotten the
matter. There was something else on
his mind, and he lost no time in saying
very straight out what it was
II may not be able to offer you fine
house and luxuries," he said, "but have
saved plenty to begin in comfort, and
think we might be very happy together
if you would only try. have thought
about it for the last two years, and
worked hard to be able to tell you So"
Barbara looked up at him with genu-
inc tears in her ewes.
"a am SO sorry!" she said. II never
thought of such a thing-at least, not in
earnest" as she remembered sundry re-
marks Of Mrs. Stewards. Besides,
there's lots of other better girls you
might find"
"That is not to the point" he inter-
rupted; lit is you, not other girls,
want. Try and think Of it, Barbara.
don't want to hurry you, but let me have
line as soon as you can; it means
good deal to me-"
For another week or two things con,
tinued to go in much the same fashion.
Mrs. Stewart wore a chronic air of dis
approval. John Grant was invisible.
Only Mr.. Lawrence was to the fore with
his sympathetic inquiries, but in some
mysterious way Barbara began to find
them irritating rather than fattering.
She got tired of giving the same re-
sponse, Nothing yet," and Of hearing
the same polite remarks about his con-
cern and admiration of her. They did
not go deep enough.
At last on Saturday morning, as she
was setting out for Mrs. Stewards, she
met the postman, who gave her blue,
official looking envelope. Barbara stood
still on the step, holding her breath as
she opened it.
"Messrs. Dodd & Sons compliments
to Miss Reed, and beg to inform her
that Mrs. Elizabeth Drake has been
proved the nearest of kin, and conse-
quently heir-at-law to the $500 left by
the late Mr.. James landlord"
Miss Reed folded up the letter and
put it soberly into her jacket pocket
She had scarcely realized before how
much she had been counting upon it.
There was nothing left now but to put
on brave face and make the best of it.
AS Barbara crossed the hall to the
schoolroom that afternoon she en-
countered Mr.. Lawrence. He was
standing at the table buttoning his
light gloves. She saw at the first glance
that Mrs. Stewart had told him of her
disappointment. She hesitated one in
stant, then went straight up to him.
"You see I am notCome into q fortune
after all, :" she said quietly.
$50 it seems" he said coldly, not look
ing up from refractory button. "But
it was not much Of fortune, anyway.
! thought it was to be five or six times
that amount"
81 wish had never heard of it," spoke
Barbara, looking at him in scornful sur
prise. 1T has been. nothing but an up
set and annoyance from the first"
Eyes, rather pity-disappointing,
and waste of time too Well, I'm go
ing into the country for a few weeks,
Miss Reed, SO good afternoon if don't
chance to see you again"
"Good afternoon" (" returned Barbara,
with frigid bow, as she opened the
schoolroom door.
A tiny note was dropped into the let
ter box that same evening addressed to
NJ ~