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

legal gentleman, Merrick Bryce was
taken sback. "Beware Of general
tiles" he mused, and made his peace
as best he might.
The last evening OF their weeks
tete.a-tete had arrived Once more
they sat under the 10 -ust trees. Mr..
Bryce seemed moody, and showed q
repressed excitement.
"My idea of the battle of life, he
said suddenly, "is to treat the mind
and body to their utmost, and then
give up the contest"
Nina looked astonished. There was
q certain latent weariness about him
which she had never seen before.
"Merely breath from the Palace
Of Truth" he said in reply to her
questioning glance. Do you dare
enter it ?"
"Yes." she said, wondering still
more.
"Then-do you care for me? You
must answer" as she sat in confused
silence.
"Yes'-iust audible.
'As for me, | envy the earth be-
meath your feet What if have known
you but seven days? That is the talk
Of fools. Nina say that you have a
heart, and that il belongs to me-"
"You know it already" she muir.
INJURED.
This is the hour of my triumph
What has become of your dislike and
pride?'
She felt in half DEAN, controlled
by her voice.
Suddenly he started.
at is who am fool-ani worse
Miss Caldwell :" abruptly, to restore
her to herself.
"Mr. Bryce?' with her usual man.
ner.
"The stage coach is due" taking
out his watch. "Shall we go to the
piazza"
The coach came numbering mp. A
young man sprang of, and assisted
pretty blonde girl to alight.
THAT is the one / am engaged to-"
said Nina, meditatively, to Mr.. Bryce.
"And that is the one | am engaged
to-" responded Mr.. Bryce with equal
calmness.
From the inside appeared three
other figures, young couple and an
elderly lady.
Fred and Ethel" exclaimed Nina.
"And my prospective mother.in
law, =" said Mr.. Bryce. "What happy
family
After mutual handshakings, Fred
whispered to Nina:
$50 you have been flirting here
these seven days by yourselves? Well,
| can assure you that your own Char
ley and the future Mrs. Bryce have
taken ample revenge for their wrongs"
"Poetical Justice" mused Nina, as
she started for her room.
On the stairs she met Mr.. Bryce.
"Nina, forgive me, he whispered,
"and four mistakes may be set right.
We are not the only culprits.
She withdrew her hand, but her
heart sang as she continued on haz
way. In her Thoughts sue was going
D 7er a, .DIlef interview with her
broth6r-in-law.
You know / never approved of
your ballroom engagement with Char
ley Fernald, Nina" he had said.
Miss Nellie Linwood is much better
suited to him. She is perfectly shall
low and rattle headed. Fancy her tell.
ing MS ingeniously that she and Mr..
Bryce were engaged, but did not care
anything for each other. He is her
guardian, and she declares that sine he.
lieves he was going to marry her be.
cause she bothered him and he did nos
know how else to dispose of her"
Nina could not refrain from merry
peal OF lau5 5hter.
Now, this Mr.. Bryce, so far as |
can judge on 80 very short an &C.
luaintance, seems to bea good sort o.
fellow, aud one who will keep you in
order. Oh, no use to flash your eyes
you need it,
"But what makes you fancy, You
absurd Fred, that there is anything
between Mr. Bryce and me?"
The blindness of bat has not
hitherto been considered one o, my
characteristics, respond
ed Fred oracularly. "But there is
Ethel waiting for me. Tell me when
you expect congratulationS ell, Nina?"
With which provoking speech he
had left her to go her own way, with
the result, altogether described, OF
meeting with Mr.. Bryce on the stairs,
and some words uttered which changed
the whole outlook of life for her. De-
troit Free Press.