The Washington times., 1894-07-15
time elung to Melanie's plaits and struggled

time clung to Melanies plaits and struggled
violently.
Vel, we were no. drowned. but we were
washed beneath the wheels of the bathing ma
chine. from whence the bathing woman ex-
tricated us more dead than alive. As soon as
1 could speak attacked Mcianic, who lay on
the shingle, gasping and deadly pale.
1T was ali your fault" spluttered, my
teeth chattering. You lost your head as well
as your footing. Just like YOU"
Her lips were blue and she could hardly
articulate, but a Masters is only silent in the
grave.
"why did you pull my hair?" she retorted.
raising herself upon her elbow. what made
you tug like that? The pain made me scream.
There was no danger"
NO danger. of course" snapped. "No
danger for fishes at the bottom OF the sea, and
so no danger for oysters and other idiots"
"Now, now. young ladies" said the bath
ing woman. "don't you stay catching your
death OF cold TO argufy. There's a long day
when you are dry and in your clothes to spend
in argufying."
She had reason on her side. We dried. and
dressed. and argued. too. My sisters sided
with Melanie. and pittied her pale face. No
one considered the gallon of salt water which
she had compelled me to swallow. Injustice
of any sort annoys me-righteousiy and vio-
lentiy annoys me. Our argument lasted
which lost all that remained to me of my
temper. and, after throwing the tea cosy at
Muriel, l broke out of the room in passion,
and flew up, three steps at a time, to our bed
room. turning the key in the lock behind me-
In due course OF time Milicent followed me
thither. knew she would. lay on the bed,
grinning with malice, not at the new novel in
my hand. Her lover. Maurice Mitchell. was
momentarily expected. She was to meet him
ut the station, and she had neither hat, nor
coat. nor curling tongs. She besought.
prayed. cajoled me to unlock the door.
made no response. / listened to her moans,
her whimpers, her humility, her threats
they were sweet In my ears.
mil, dear Mil. you cannot he SO cruel. II
I do not meet Maurice he will be mad; he
won't come here; he will go back by the next
train: he has such temper"
Silence.
II will never forgive you, MIL"
Still silence.
'Let me in, Mildred. have only moment
to spare-you may carry joke too far
laughed. 1t was my joke; should carry
it as far as could.
"Mil, if you won't let me in. at least throw
me my coat and hat from the window"
l laughed again.
"Mil, you little beast, have nothing to
wear"
BORROW" I suggested, grinning sardon
1cally; was In a position to grin. III you
are 80 fond Of Melanie wear her clothes.'
At this suggestion she pummelled on the
door panels viciously for moment. and then
es the time flew and was inexorably arm
heard her Gathering down the stairs and
calling to the girls Presently had the sat
isfaction of seeing her hurry out towards
the station clad in Melanie's pilot coat (Which
was of no shape in particularly. with Muriel's
old garden hat, Tapping in the wind, on her
disheveled head. My sisters never lend their
best clothes to any one.
1t was pity was too sulky to 60 to tho
tennis tournament, though the day is wild
and boisterous, yet the courts are so sheltered
by the cliff that the wind will not interfere
with the play. felt a pang as / saw my
mother, with Muriel and Melanie, who both
looked very smart and smiling, set off in the
direction of the ground. I watched them out
OF sight; saw the wind blow my mothers
bonnet on one side; saw it beat about the
girls until 1t loosened their hair and generally
made away with their smiles and smartness.
Now that ! was alone in the house, now