The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-09-23

him str1dine away over the helds, Al
though I had told him to 60 myself
Still I never thought he would hay
taken me at ny word.
"What shall ! say to Aunt Maria?"
thought, as / turned my steps home
ward. This was q very serious refiec
ton indeed. for It had been the dream
OF Aunt Maria's existence TO see m
united TO Dick johnson, the handsom,
and only son of our wealthy neighbor
Sir Henry.
Dick and I had played together a
children, danced together, firted to
gether, and finally fell in love with on
another.
We were to have been married In
month, and now / had sent him ava.
and told him l never wished to see hin
again.
What was to be done and oh, dear
what should I say TO Aunt Maria
There was no help for It. however, bu'
20 go home and explain the situation t.
the best of my ability, and accordingly
home I went
Aunt Maria was in the drawing
room, and I stole softly in and took my
book. hoping that she would not no
tice me. But she saw me directly Rnc
inquired:
Where is Dick?"
"He has gone home" I replied, trying
TO assume an unconcerned manner, atC
failing most signally in the attempt
"Gone homer Why? Did you not tel
him I expected him to dinner"
"Yes."
"Then why is he not coming7'
"He had an engagement" l mumbled.
For goodness sake, child, speak out
Come here, where I can see you. How
red your face is! What is the NATTER
! rose obediently and stood before
my aunt, who fixed her relentless gaze
upon me.
"You have been crying" she said.
snow, just tell me the truth at once,
Daisy. Have you and Dick q%uarrelled?'
Yes" / faltered.
And what about, pray?"
"I don't know"
"You don't know!" This Is q very
sarcastic tone.
remained silent and fumbled for my
pocket-handkerchief.
''Who beg an it," pursued Aunt Maria.
sternly.
81 don't know"
Have you broken off your engage
ment?"
YES" / burst forth; 81 hate him.
and / will never speak to him again"
Then ! began to weep c~opiously.
"If you are going to howl" said Aunt
Maria, with bitter irony, you had bet
ter leave the room. / shall require a
full explanation tomorrow, from both
you and Mr.. Johnson"
l fed upstairs and did not appear
again that evening. She stormed and
expostulated, but / remained firm in my
resolve to return Dicks ring and pres
ents that very day.
Accordingly, l spent = couple Of
hours in crying over them and packing
them up.
After luncheon, Aunt Maria an
nounced her intention of visiting some
pensioners of hers in a village about
three miles distant, and ordered me to
accompany her, which l prepared to do
with a very bad grace, 1 fear. We
walked for about half an hour without
exchanging a word, and q more thor
oughly ill-tempered pair Of pedestrians
could hardly have been found any
where.
Our way led through some fields. and,
on reaching the first gate, 1 noticed a
man leaning against it As we came
up he opened 1t for us, and politely
raised his hat He looked like q gen.
tlemau, and was dressed in q well-fit-
ting suit of blue serge. saw that he
was a stranger, and wondered where he
came from, as strangers were rare in
our secluded part of the world.
A little further on. I looked back and
observed that he was following us.
He overlook us before we reached the
next gate, passed us. and opened this
one also, again lifting his hat as we
went by.
/ thought this rather odd. but having
resolved not to speak to Aunt Maria
until she addressed me, l held my
peace.
At the third gate the same perform
ance was repeated, but this time the
stranger did not fall behind. He walked
to Aunt Maria's side and asked: May
! offer you my arm?"
Certainly not. sir" was the indig-
nant rejoinder: 81 have not the honor
of your acquaintance, nor do I desire
it."
AT least you will permit me TO carry
your umbrella" continued the stranger,
Aunt Maria merely snort
eli. and, clutching her umbrella more
marched on at an increased
pace.
SIS there no little service you will al
me to render your" pursued Dur
unwelcome companion in tragic tones.
Go away. sir" said my aunt, furious
ly. I'VE do not wish for your com
pany. Your having spoken to us at all
Is a piece of the most unwarrantable
do not drive me from you." was the
reply. II love you'll l have loved you
rom the first moment I saw you. You
IRE the only woman I have ever loved"
And, with these words, this most ex-
individual threw himself
IN his knees right in Aunt Maria's
oath. At this point . light broke in
lpon me. There was . large private
unstic asylum in the neighborhood.
This must surely be one of the patients
Who had eluded the vigilance Of his
Keepers and escaped.
"He's mad" ! Whispered to Aunt
Maria. For goodness sake humor
lin, or he will murder us bothi 1
ave always heard they must be
lumored," /
Aunt Maria, however, paid no atten-
ion, and I almost doubt II she even
,eard me.
Let me pass, this instant, sir" she
,asped, crimson with wrath.
"Nev.r! neveri till you promise 70 be
nine"