Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-13
CirCumStaltial-..-
 -..-EVidGlCG !
BY MARY E. sT1cKNEY.


 estly puzzled. II have told you there was nothing in it-not the ghost of q fir tation. Why" as one who would offer confirmation strong as proof of Holy Writ, II never kissed the woman-never even pressed her hand beyond the limit of an ordinary how do you do."
 Anita stared at him with wide eyed horror. AS if 1 could hint at such n thing" reddening angrily. As if could think it possible that you should"
 Well. you seemed to think there must have been somo awful developments about it." laughing inconsequentially And that sort of thing is supposed to be rather commonly done, believe. l did not know but your imagination was run ming on some such line
 ''Of you. Don:" little choke i'll her voice. Il would not imagine such things of you; l would not give myself the tor ment of such thoughts until was com pellcd. But your suggestion seems to prove that such things were possible that you might have enjoyed these little famiharities, su commonly done" with scornful quivcr of the uretrilS, regard ing him kccnly, had you but cared to make the most of your opportunities. Your tone imphcS that it was no un- reasonable Irudery on her part that hiulcred.'
 Donald laughed rather coufusedly. If he hud sometimes faucieu that Mrs. Rogers perhaps cared moro for him than strict duty to her lord allowed he had never thought of blaming himself Ill the matter, and tlattcred ill his heart neither had he any idea of condemnation for her. He was rather disposed to regard it as highly creditable to both that nothing more had come of it. And Anita's jealous, exclusive love, grudging | that even his name should have been as sociated with that of another woman, | was beyond his comprehension. "How you do jump at conclusions, child" he testify retorted. Can't you give the poor woman the benefit of 8 doubt even when sine is proved inno- Cent?"
 But the proof was by no means clear to Mrs BarteIs mind. although she made an effort to veneer her manner with d certain cold coyliality when cir cumstances threw her into { he suIl"ty Of Mrs. Rogers: for the Argus-cyrd world must not sec in her attitude any hint of l jealousy or dislike, to prop up the old ! tales and set the tongues w1%SlnE again. l Donald came home late to dinner on the day after the Rogrrscs evening call.
 II am willing to be forgiven, he ex- claimed, in laughing apology, as he un- folded his nay in. Anita, like most good housekreprrs, was never pleased when nice dinner was spoiled by wait I office and detained me. He has taken you at your word, and wants me to go up to Lake Park with him."
 Yes" listlesSly, seemingly absorbed in counting the peas she was serving.
 II must say was tempted" he care lcssly continued. Rogers is such q jolly good fellow. don't know of anybody would rather go with on such a trp- barring yourself, Donna Anita. If l had not hoped you would change your mind and go after all, think I would have come very near saying yes 10 him.
 But l shall not change my mind, shaking her head. with u slow smile She was not pleased with this new plan Perhaps shc had never seriously expected him to take her at her word and go with out her. It is so easy to feel magnani nous when it may cost nothing bu words. Certainly she had never though to see the Rogers family represented il her place.
 "Carlton" this was ,S partner wh, had been ailiuG for day or two-"wil be around tomorrow all right, he tol, me this morning, and there is nothin! to do at the office just now anyway.
 could get away for week or two as wei as not. It seems like flying ill the fac of Providence to let such an opp2rtunit r go by indeed. 1 say" brightenlng wit his thought, but still regarding he doubtfully, Il might go with Rogers and then if your interesting aunt fails t show up, you might come up the last c ? the week and join Us.
 f And Mrs. Rogers-iS she going" wit e a sudden flush on her cheeks.
 "Of course l should have known bel
 ter than to have considered the plan fo
 moment if she werc," with a shar
 tinge of sarcasm in his voice. "She
 going to visit some friends on a rancl :, Q few miles east of here, for couple (
 weeks, and then meet Rogers at tn
 park, he told me. They have hired = cabin there for September"
 OIl, Nllu ttl SN lIltub accession or II
 terest. And when did you plan to go:
 We did not plan to go at all" goo
 humoredly smiling, but with an obvior ] shadow of disappointment oU his fac
 Rogers proposed that we should stal
 tomorrow morning early, go on hors - back, get up to Lost creek about nool
 fish there through the afternoon, put Il
 at Longman's ranch for the night, ar
 on to the park the next morning. Bl r of course did not seriously think of q O ing"
 Anita knew what this trip meant
 him who loved the freedom of the woo, /, with the ardor of a schoolboy, to who
 trout fishing was the only pursuit wortl - the name of sport. And why should l
 be denied this pleasure, which migl yield him such rich returns in healthfu SI ness as we'll? Donald's fair. blond fa,