The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-14
A LOVERS QUARREL.

saw him strldlng away over the fields,
although I had told him to go myself.
Still never thought he would have taken
me at my word.
"What shall l say to Aunt Marian"
thought as turned my steps homeward.
This was a very serious reflection in
deed, for it had been the dream of Aunt
Marias existence to see me united to
Dick Johnson, the handsome only son of
our wealthy neighbor, Sir Henry.
Dick and had played together as
children, danced together, f1irted togeth-
er, and finally fell in love with each
other
We were to have been married in a
month, and now had sent him away
and told him never wished to see him
again.
What was to be done-and, oh dear!
what should | say to Aunt Maria? There
was no help for it, however, but to go
home and explain the situation to the
best of my ability, and accordingly home
Invent.
Aunt Maria was in the drawing room,
and l stole softly in and took up a book,
hoping that she would not notice me.
But she saw mo directly and inquired:
''Where is Dick?"
He has gone home" replied, trying
to assume an unconcerned manner and
failing most signally in the attempt.
"Gone home? Why! Did you not tell
him | expected him to dinner"
Eyes"
"Then why is he not comingT"
HE had an engagement" mumbled.
"For goodness sake, child, speak outl
Come here where l can see you How
red your face is! What is the NATTER"
rose obediently and stood before my
aunt, who fixed Il relentless gaze upon
me.
you have been crying" she said
-'Now, just tell he the truth at once
Daisy. Have you and Dick quarreled?"
yes" faltered
"And what about, pray?"
II don't know"
"You don't know" This in very
sarcastic tone.
remained silent and fumbled for my
pocket handkerchief
"Who began it," pursued Aunt Maria
sternly.
81 don't know"
Lave you broken off your engage
ment?"
'Yes," burst forth II hate him. and
will never speak to him again" Then
began to weep copiously.
"lf you're going to howl" said Aunt
Maria, with bitter irony, you had better
leave the room. | shall require full
explanation tomorrow from both you
and Mr.. johnson"
| fled up stairs and did not appear
again that evening. passed ii wretched
night and had Il fearful scene with Aunt
Maria tho next morning. She stormed
and expostulated, but remained firm
in my resolve to return Dic,'.; ring and
presents that very day.
Accordingly | spent couple of hours
III crying over them and packing them
up.
After luncheon Aunt Maria announced
her intention OF visiting some pensioners
of hers i'll village about three miles dis
tant and ordered me to accompany her,
winch prepared TO do with very bad
grace, fear. We walked for about half
an hour without exchanging word, and
more thoroughly i'll tempered pair of
pedestrians could hardly have been found
anywhere.
Our way led through some fields, and
on reaching the first gate noticed a
man leaning against it. AS we came up
he opened it for us and politely raised
his hat. He looked like a gentleman and
was dressed in a well fitting suit of blue
serge. saw that he was stranger and
wondered where he came from. as stran-
gers were rare in our secluded part of
the world.
A little way further on l 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 I'M
til she addressed me 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 Indignant
rejoinder. ~ have not the honor of your
acquaintance, nor do desire it,"
Eat least you will permit me to carry
your umbrella" continued the stranger
unabashed. Aunt Maria merely snorted.
and clutching her umbrella more firmly
marched on at an increased pace.
''Is there no little service you viii al
low mo to render YOU" pursued our M
welcome companion in tragic tones,
Goo arro.. ei1rt said INV aunt f,~vSo,,o