The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-04-28
A ROMEO AND JULIET.

Where are you going, Letitiay' de-
mands Miss cambridge severely, gazing
at the trembling Letitia over a pair of
gold rimmed glasses.
just out for a little walk. auntie.
The day is SC delicious" says Letitia,
with her most engaging smile. She is
thinking what an awful thing it will be
II auntie forbids her to go out today of
all days, and Jack waiting for her at the
top of the meadow.
Now. nce 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 | am too old to hear
things, but there you are wrong. | have
heard a 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 a fort
night ago at the Mainwarings' lit
tie
Hop" suggests Letitia, who is too
frightened by her aunt's allusion to the
young master of The Court to remember
her society
'Hopl How dare you use such a
word?' cries Miss cambridge. Good
heavensI The manners of this present
day. Now, Letitia, near me. It 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 30 years between their house
and ours. | trust you lave too much re-
spect for me-for your name-to recog-
nize a 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 graciousi if auntie only knew
that she had been meeting Jack every
day for the past fortnight-ever since
that long dance, indeed ~when-when-
well, he wouldn't dance with any one
but her. And it is all such nonsense
too. A rubbishy old story about a right
of way that happened so years ago-and
Jack the dearest. dearest fellowl
4 refuse to go into it" says Miss Ban.
bridge. with dignity. 1t suffices to say
that this young mans grandfather once
behaved in the grossest fashion to your
grandfather-my. with Il 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 &C
knowledge his presence.
Il chor,t hox- f> hin, r,rfi ~ -,
Letitia in a very small voice.
Devastation of herself and her duplic-
ity is still raging in her heart when sh.
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 heri
oh. Jack, she's getting worse than
ever. She was simply raging about you
as l came out. | really thought she was
going to forbid me to come at all. She
says you're an Objectionable young manr'
'Oh, | say" says Hardinge. 'Wha
have ! done to be called names like that?'
Nothing. nothingl" cried Letitia,
finging her arms about in despairing
protest, except that your grandfather
once punched my grandfather's nose
We'll, Pm awfully sorry" said Har-
dinge. and they both laugh Would it
do any good. do you think, if l were to
go down now and apologize for my ex-
ceedingly rude old forbear?'
Il shouldn't advise you to try" says
Letitia.
But what are we to dol" a y Jack,
his arm round her.
They are sitting on the grass safely
hidden behind a clump of young trees.
The sun is shining madly on their heads;
the birds are singing On every branch. 1t
is May-delightful May, the lovers
month-and the hottest May that has
been known for years.
II don't know" says Letitia. with deep
dependence.
Its such beastly folly says Har-
dinge presently in an impatient tone. IF
1 were y fool or a poor man or a repro
bate, but I'm not-am L. nOw?"
"Oh, nor 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 i 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,r says Letitia naively; but.
collapsing into gloom, whats the good
Of it all? Auntie will never let you
marry me-
"We could marry without her per-
mission" says he slowly.