The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-28
A ROMEO AND JULIET.

Where are you going, Letitia?" de-
mands Miss Banbridge severely, gazing
at the trembling Letitia over pair of
gold trimmed glasses.
Just out for little walk, auntie.
The day is so delicious says Letitia,
with her most engaging smile. She is
thinking what an awful thing it will be
if auntie forbids her to go out today of
all days, and Jack waiting for her at the
top of the meadow.
"Now, once for all, Letitia, let this be
understood between us" says Miss Ban
bridge; "there is to be no intercourse be-
tween this house and that of The Court.
You may think'l am too old to hear
things, but there you are wrong. have
heard good deal lately about young
Hardinge, who has returned to The Court
after his fathers death; heard, too, with
deep regret, Letitia that You so far for
got yourself as to dance with him fort
night ago at the Mainwarings' lit
tle"-
Hop" suggests Letitia, who is too
frightened by her aunt's allusion to the
young master of The Court to remember
her society manners.
"HopI How dare you use such a
word?' cries Miss Banbridge "Good
heavens! The manners of this present
dayI Now. Letitia, hear me. 1t seems
you did dance with this Objectionable
young man at the Mainwarings' ball
Perhaps you could not help that But
knowing as you do of the feud that has
lasted for so years between their house
and ours. trust you have too much re-
spect for me-for your name-to recog-
nize Hardinge anywhere"
But what has he-er"- nervously
what have they all done?" asks Letitia
her eyes on the marble pavement of the
hall, her heart at the top of the meadow
Good graciousl if auntie only knew
that she had been meeting Jack every
day for the past fortnight-ever since
that long dance, indeed when-w when
well, he wouldn't dance with any one
but her. And it is all such nonsense
too A rubbishy old story about right
of way that happened so years ago-and
Jack the dearest, dearest fellowl
Il refuse to go into it," says Miss Ban
bridge, with dignity. at suffices to say
that this young mans grandfather once
behaved in the grossest fashion to your
grandfather-my." with sigh. "sainted
father. If you are going out. | trust
that if you meet the present owner of
The Court you will not SO much as ac-
knowledge his presence"
Il shan't bow to him, aultie," says
Letitia in very small voice.
Detestation of herself and her duplic-
ity is still raging in her heart when she
meets Jack Hardinge in the old trysting
place. She had certainly promised her
aunt not to bow to him. Well, she
doesn't; she only filings herself into his
arms-glad young arms that close fondly
round herl
"Oh, Jack. she's getting worse than
ever. She was simply raging about you
as | came out. | really thought she was
going to forbid me to come at all. She
says you're an Objectionable young manp
"Oh, say" says Hardinge. What
have done to be called names like thatT
Nothing, nothing" cried Letitia,
fiinging her arms about in despairing
protest, except that your grandfather
once punched my grandfather's nose"
well, I'm awfully sorry" said Har-
dinge, and they both laugh. Would it
do any good do you think, if | were to
go down now and apologize for my ex-
ceedingly rude old forbear?"
81 shouldn't advise you to try" says
Letitia
"But what are we to do?" says Jack,
his arm round her.
They are sitting on the grass safely
hidden behind clump of young trees.
The sun is shining madly on their heads;
the birds are singing on every branch. It
is May-delightful May, the lovers
month-and the hottest May that has
been known for years.
81 don't know" says Letitia, with deep
despondence.
"It's such beastly folly" says Har-
dinge presently in an impatient tone. "If
were fool or poor man or a repro
bate, but I'm not-am l, now?"
"Oh, no" says Letitia. She creeps
closer to him and encircles his waist
with her arm, or, at all events, tries
bravely to do so. 1t doesn't go half way
around, but that doesn't matter. She
grasps a bit of his coat and holds on to
him SO. "Do you know what you are,
Jack? The dearest old boy on earth"
"And you-do you know what you
are" says Hardinge, pressing her fingers
to his lips.
NO" says she.
well, l can't tell you," says he, "be-
cause there is nothing on earth fit to
compare you with. You are you, and
that's ALL"
"What a lovely speech! No wonder
love you" says Letitia naively; "but,'
collapsing into gloom, whats the good
of it all! Auntie will never let you
marry me-"
1--WE could marry without her per-
! mission" says he slowly.