The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-08-09


N%Xs3JHnESS and Nina Cald-
yWAWW%S well was the only
W y passenger in the
musty old stage coach which had
logged heavily along for twelve weary
miles fhe journey was enlivened by
simoons of dust that strengthened the
camcl'lihe suggestions of the four
gaunt Jaded horses. The young lady
who sat in state alone in this uncom.
Portable vehicle was thoroughly worn
out with heat and headache, and,
worst Of all, bored with her own SO.
ciety.
Nina Caldwell was eighteen and
very pretty. She was also exceedingly
spoiled, and subject to occasional fts
OF unreason. In one of these she had
left her sister and brother-in-law. II
week in advance of the time appointed,
and was now reaping the benefit OF
that rash act.
She had leisure and to spare for
bitter reflection. She tried To read.
yawned, counted the flies. attacked
some caramels and finally relapsed
into somber depression.
"Whon, JENNY Whoa, there"
Nina started and looked around in
Dewilderment. A moment later the
drivers sunburned face appeared ut
the door. She must have slept II
little.
Here you are, miss, Maple Hotel.
stop half an hour, then change with
coach from Greene. Coin to stay,
though, you be-"
Nina, even in alighting, took in her
rroundin0s at glance. Maple
"a storoing place
farm bouse wA mere
oi lingering bN o""ie"
soiourn boro US to
so she had decided-u
joined her.
Under the great maple. from which
the mouse was named, gentleman
lay asleep, his straw hat and news.
paper beside him.
The only cool place" thought
Nina How intensely selfish.
From the piazza, the yellow paint
glared hot in the sunshine, she looked
alsdainfully at her recumbent enemy.
man of about thirty, and, so far as
could be judged from his position. de.
,idedly good-looklng His hair WAS
highland close cut, his forehead square.
ana his mouth, even in sleep, and un
der the shadow of his mustache. wore
look OF imperturbable good humor.
Inc merits o. his hgure- rather of the
massive order-were undeniable.
on bench near Nina was n bool;
she TOOK it up. On the hyleaf was
written, Merrick Bryce. Undoubtedly
his, she thought, as she turned il
over.
Meanwhile the late sleeper had awak.
ened' OI the piazza sat the prettiest
glrl he had ever seen, with black. will
tui halr, and eyes--but the book-tis
book, monopolized those. Just then
she looked up, and he saw that thev
were dark gray. His own light brown
ones ones were keen though indolent, and
little escaped them.
He arose and sauntered away. wbiIa
sue was veXed to find herself speculat.
ing about him.
Maple Hotel was, perhaps, the dull.
est place IN the world. 70 call il n
ohe'horse concern" would be rank
battery. 1t was the merest eouina
fraction. And if there were ever ms.
tihable homicide, it would have been
assuredly III the taking OIL of the com.
pounder of its pies and puddings.
Nina's cerculean mood deepened to
INDIGO nj tha giult Of Al,
nightmare supper, which she eujoyed
IN solitary state with Mr.. Bryce, mar.
Vellhg, the while, To behold his nm.
petite. There seemed "a certain an.
taSonism between them, the more un.
fortunate since they would be thrown
on each others society for several
days. ''"'
Nina explained her position. She
was III advance of friends Obliged IN
delay their arrival y after which tbev
were all going to the mountains. Mr..
Bryce remarked that his own case was
somewhat similar, His party, also.
was delayed they were to have met
here yesterday-and he was consoling
himself as best he could with fish.
ing,
"odious people, thought Nina pet.
tshly' at is wonderful how many
such there are in the world, and how
one always meets them. Ethel would
say II served me right-s married sis.
Ter Is 30 unsympathetic. But | will
never own to homesickness.
Next day she made further acquaint.
ance with Mr. Bryce on the basis of
the book aforesaid. They discussed
its characters aud incidents.