Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1892-08-19

To admit Hugh Dudley and hear him
| and Constance chattering and giggling
for two hours in the parlor was too
much. He wouldn't have it.
| The young mans face fell perceptibly.
"When will she be at homer" he
faltered, embarrassed between his dis
| appointment and his awe of Mr.. Parfitt's
stern looks.
~ have not the remotest idea,"
George responded.
Would the fellow keep him there
uttering mendacities all day Not but
that the cause was good and sufficient,
but he was not accustomed to lying.
sI'm sorry, Hugh Dudley declared"
He fingered, looking touchingly un-
happy, only Mr.. Parftt was not touched.
He looked as though he was waiting to
shut the door, and the visitor retreated
down the steps and into his cart.
Ellen had the ginger tea ready. 1t
was not strong enough, and too sweet.
And when Ellen, having been some
what gruffly informed of it, had made
some afresh, Mr.. Parfitt drank it, and
resumed his shawl and his chair and his
| uncomfortable reflections.
The door-bell rang again. George
thought he knew the ring. Sure
enough, it was Tom Danforthl
"Laid up?" that young man demand.
ed, coming in breezily, big and broad
shouldered and bright-eyed and cheerful
"Too bad! On your lungs9 Have you
tried capsicum plaster2 l can get you
one in five minutes if you want me to"
"It's in my head" said George dis
mally. But he smiled his pleasure at
Tom Danforth's appearance, and wrung
the young mans hand and took his coat
and bat. ''Im glad you came glad to
see you'll Stay to lunch, won't youa
Have this foot-rest, Constance is home
up stairs" he said, in breath. "Just
watt" he ended, eagerly. I'll go
get her."
But he came back sulkily.
"She went out with Kate, it seems"
he explained in an injured manner. 81
didn't know it. They're always gadding
about. Have some maraschino or some
thing2"
"Cordial at this hour of the dayW
Tom protested, looking the soul of reas-
suring good nature and betraying no ex-
citement at the fact of Constance's
absence.
He even took up 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
friend, 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 the funds2"
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. Partitt, looking pretty and
pink checked after the fresh air, and us
blthe as though gong to the Carpen-
ters' reception in her old beaded wrap
were not going to be horrid necessity.
"Oh, you, TOMB" she cried, cordially.
al am so gladl 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 ConstauccW
"Conny2" said Mrs. Parftt, brightly.
"Oh, we met Hugh Dudley in his cart,
and he took Conny along with him.
What stylish turnout he 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.
Tom picked it up.
~ wonder if that scamp has taken
the money, if it will burst the bankl" he
said. "It's shame!'
"What bank2" Mrs. Parftt ques-
toned.
And an animated discussion ensued.
Mrs. Parfitt knew the defaulting cash,
ier's daughter; Tom Dantorth had known
his brother. George, who knew more
about him than either of them, eontri.
buted nothing to the conversation.
lie 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.
lie began to think about gong up and
going to bed as temporary escape fiom
his afllictions.
Sand I'm sorry enough for Sally
stewart-There's Connyl" said Mrs.
Parftt. "Ssid she shouldn't be gone
long"
Constance came sweeping in. Her
stylish long dress trailed after her with
fine effect. Her light coat was open, and
showed the white silk vest of her dress.
Her little hat set back prettily on her
fair hair which was blown into
many straying tendrils.
George thought, with mental groan,
that che had never looked so T. j.
"Oh, Tom, your Const....ce cried,
quite as Mrs. Parlitt had done.
Aud then, not at all as Mrs. Pafiitt
had done, she gave him both her hands
and-it was NO hallucination, Il was a
iact-and let him Kiss her.
She luraed upon her cousin With her
blue eyes sweetly dewy,
"Do you like Il, Georgei' she said
tATe you glad know yOu like Tom.
! q. a Il "A - Vi "A