The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-03-17

* MY/
ENsCoNCEp HIMSELF IN THE SEAT FAC
| ING HER.
heads from the tall reed grasses to. gaze
in open-eyed wonder at the passing
train.
Don't you think" suggested Mr..
Dennison, when the silence again be-
came oppressive, that as we are likely
to be shut up together in this colnpart-
ment for two full hours, it might be
more philosophical-not to say agree
able-if we raise flag of truce. We
cnn confine ourselves to commonplaces
the weather, catching bees, or other
harmless topics"
"Oh! confine yourself to catching
bees by all means," she cried, nervous
| ly, as the insect in question reminded
them of his presence by bouncing
against the ear of theyoung lady.
~ have no objection to an occasional
interchange of remarks about the
weather." she added more genially, as
she watched Mr.. Dennison chase the
offender through the window.
VERY well," remark ed the young
man, resuming his seat and scraping
his throat little nervously, 1T is
charming day."
Very, but rather cool for the sea-
son.
"Ah. yes; perhaps we may have rain,
l should say shower"
He waited eagerly for the answer,
which was slow in coming.
'Possibly--or rather it does not look
probable to me-"
Having delivered herself of this bril-
liant speech she arched her neck with
eXtravagant courtesy to examine the
| clouds.
| I'VE had thunder last week." con-
/ tinued the young man, desperately.
| is it necessary" retorted Miss st.
John, that you should turn yourself
into weather bureau and give me re-
ports of what has been? i suppose
| that we should contine ourselves to the
present or future"
There is no future for me- said her
companion, sadly Then flippantly, as
if anxious to recall his words, he added:
Don't you think there is limit to
the--weather for topic? Suppose we
try something else"
1--WE have talked long enough" re-
turned the young woman, severely. 81
prefer to read and she resolutely
opened the novel.
"Is it interesting?" he persisted, after
pause.
"Intensely''-
sit must be rather difficult to read
upside down. Is that an acrobatic feat
you have learned to accomplish in the
four years of my absence?"
i 'It goes without saying that the
same length of time has not improved
your manners" said Miss St John.
Mr.. Dennison accepted in silence the
reproof of his companion, but after a
moment of hesitation he left his seat
and ensconced himself in the one di-
rectly facing her
"Iu little WHILE" he whispered,
disregarding her glance of angry tol.
Grafton, 1.-The train will reach Holy
head, and like thistle-downs we shall
be blown apart, perhaps never to meet
again. We were very good friends
once-but, of course, that is all over,
and you cordially detest me. just at
this moment you are wishing me in
hades."
II did not say so," exclaimed the
girl, with flashing eyes,
II thought" he continued. "that ia
pass away the time and enable you to
, forget your antagonism to my pres
ence, you might like to hear the plot
of one of my stories Possibly you re-
, member that l write book-occasion,
ally"
frcm her lips--'I rcmember--that. II
10 very obliging in you to entertain me-
Wha,is your plot?" ..
, Mr.. .)ennison began TO count off or
his fingers his dramatis persone.
"There is Miss Maude Vivian-heir
ess.
Mr. Henry Dubois-a poverty-strick
en- artist.
Mr. John Halifax-very handsome
very rich, and-Aothing in particular.
l ''Scene--Central Africa"
Your scene Is yreposterous and YOU
combination of characters inproba BILE. >
complained Miss ST John. A
: Truth is not necessary in fiction,
: responded the story telicr
! "Oblige me, then. by NOT lying any
more than is absolutely necessary"
4 Miss Vivian was fair ard lovable
a Consequently when she met Mr.. Du
bois at a lawn party he fell in low
l with her and she reciprocated MS affec
: tiOn."
e "A lawn party in Central Airica!'
!, expostulated the young lady. "pfs,
S are you telling me romsnce among IA,
d Manyemss?"
''The color of the skin is imma terial,
$ replied Mr.. Dennison, but as you oh
4 ject to Africa ] will call it Europe
i England will do All went well witt
i me lovers until, like the snake In th'
garden of Eden, third person steppet
e in. Mr.. John Halifax. Well, one canno
J. blame Miss Vivian II she preferred tn
corn and wine OF Egypt to love In IL cot
y tage with poverty"
y There was pause, which Miss st
c Je1.s broke by sxelaiming irritably: