The Press., 1894-03-29

thing dreadful had happened. It seem ed to me that I must have been crying in my sleep. A moment more and my memory became active, but one can never be as tragic by dawn as by moon- light. Indeed there was 8 ludicrous aspect to the affair as I looked back upon it. Why in the name of goodness did run away from so very respectable gentleman? Why did I not thank him for the honor he intended and de- cline it courteously? Why did scamper off like wild colt, and why, when did so, did he run after me through the, corn and potatoes and other vegetables?
 That crash ill the melon patch went to my heart. Perhaps MT. Summers had hurt himself How unwisely l had acted! Still, there was Victorine to think of However funny the race between MT. Summers and myself may have been, he had no less been false and tickle to my beloved half sister, or even if he had not Intentionally won her heart it was won, and this was fright ful state and condition of things. was growing quite as angry as ever, when Aunt Emily stole into the room with her big, flat slippers in one hand and her other hand in her apron pocket. Shutting the door, she put her back against it and drew forth letter which she then stepped forward and laid upon the counterpane.
 "Mars Summers, he send yo' dis yah letter wid his complements, an please, ma am, Miss Persis, yo' kin'ly anser it right off, and femme fetch it back soon as yo' is convenient she said.
 Upon the letter was written: Miss Persis Carlton. In great haste and anxiety" ...
 "Pears like Mars Summers don t feel good dis mornin, ' she added. 'Got a kin'er scratch onto his cheek, like de cat claw him, and a bruise jess dar, whar de ha'r don' grow onto his frow head"
 Dear me-, I said. Well, give me an envelope and pencil
 Emily supplied my wants, and I wrote across the letter, Returned un- opened," and inclosing it in the fresh envelope and addressing it said, "Take that to MT. Summers. '
 Emily stared at me in amazement.
 Miss Persis know jess what she do- in? Amt made no mistaken" she queried.
 "No," I replied. Its all right, Emily.' -.
 Guess Mss Persis don know she wrop up her letter fore she read it, y Emily remonstrated.
 "Yes, know," said. "Now, take it to the gentleman at once, and don't tell Miss Victorine anything about it. ''
 "Dess what Mars Summers say," said Emily. Mot menshun bout dat var letter to Miss Vict' 'rine Glib it to yo' when yo' wus all alone, he say" Then she shook her head and looked at the letter. " Pears like letters wus ayin round dis mornin,' she said.
 What do you mean?' asked.
 'No matter. knows my place. I've got no right to jsw,' said Emily. "Only when dar is one sekert in a family, dar is app to be two," then she departed. ...
 When l went down to breakfast, found sister Victorine in very curious mood She persisted in looking away from me.
 Nothing could induce her to meet my eye. Moreover, it was one of her fan cies to dress to match her feelings. Lately she had worn variety of gay morning gowns of pretty lace ruffies, bright ribbons had set off her black hair or showy pins and combs of gold and coral. This morning she was attired in somber iron gray, and her hair was Hat ho. twisted low in the back of her neck. She looked sad beyond expression.
 My first thought was that she had learned of my last nights adventure, but if so she was not angry with me. She spoke to me in the gentlest manner, in low tones as though were i'll. She had ordered a dish of which l was es- pecially fond to be prepared. If she had been guilty of some terrible crime against me for which she wished to atone, though she could not hope to be pardoned, her manner could scarcely have been different. After breakfast as l passed through the kitchen, Aunt Elm fly sat on low chair, with her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hand, staring at nothing.
 "And what is the matter with you, Emily?" asked.
 ''I's dess steddyin what de matter wid my ladies'" Emily replied. Miss Vict'rine don pay no 'tention to her twilite an pull down her mouff till shes make fiddle face an look like dey goin to be fewnel in de fam 'ly, an Miss Persis, plain to see she been a-weep- in an a-wailin tell her eyes is red, an breaktiss come out mos de same as it go in, an letters goes fyin roun.. Beck on de world mus be comin to an end. and:Mars Gabrel gwine to blow his las' trumpet"
 "Not quite so bad as that, Emily" 1 said.