The Press., 1893-08-03
A ROMEO AND JULIET.

Where are you going, LeCltaaF oe- mands Miss Cambridge severely, gazing at the trembling Letitia over pair of gold trimmed glasses.
 ssJust out for little walk, auntie. The day is so delicious" says Letltla, 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.
 s.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 1 am too old to hear things, but there you are wrong. nave 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
 Hop! How dare you use such | wordY' cries Miss Cambridge. "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 50 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 Letitla, her eyes on the marble pavement of the hall. her heart at the top of the meadow. | Good gracious! 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 right of way that happened 50 years ago-anc Jack the dearest, dearest fellow!
 Il refuse to go into it" says Miss Ban bridge, with dignity. Ut suffices to say that this young mans grandfather onc behaved in the grossest fashion to you grandfather-my." with a sigh. ''saintet father. If you are going out, l trus that if you meet the present owner o } The Court you will not so much as ae knowledge his presence"
 Il shan't bow to him, auntie." say Letitia in very small voice. sl Detestation of herself and her dupit l, ity is still raging in her heart when sh meets Jack Hardinge in the old trystin place. She had certainly promised he aunt not to bow to him. Well, sh doesn't; she only f1ings herself into hi arms-glad young arms that close fondl round her!
 .'Oh. Jack, she's getting worse tha ever. She was simply raging about yo as came out really thought she wa going to forbid me to come at all. Sh says you're an objectionable young man
 "Oh, l say" says Hardinge. ''Whs ,e have done to be called names like that It Nothing, nothingv' cried Letiti, fiinging her arms about in despairin g. protest. except that your grandfathf
 once punched my grandfather's nose."
 "Well. I'm awfully sorry" said Ha
 dinge. and they both laugh. Would a do any good, do you think, if were go down now and apologize for my e.
 ceedingly rude old forbear?' \ Il shouldn't advise you to try" sa. Letitia.
 But what are we to do?" says Jac
 his arm round her.
 2 They are sitting on the grass safe
 hidden behind clump of young tree
 The sun is shining madly on their head
 the birds are singing on every branch.
 is May-delightful May, the lover
 month-and the hottest May that h
 been known for years.
 'I don't know" says Letitia, with de- despondence.
 "Its such beastly folly,' says Hs
 dinge presently in an impatient tone. ' I were fool or poor man or repi E bate, but I'm not-am I. now?" ''Oh. nor says Letitia. She cree
 closer to him and encircles his wa
 with her arm, or, at all events, trl
 bravely to do so. It doesn't go half w
 around, but that doesn't matter. s