The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-05-12

| ,WN my dear?"
asled Miss Talbot of her pretty niece,
Maud. who was enjoying an afternoon
CIR, at tea in the lowest chair she could
And in her aunt's cozy little drawing
room.
She was the only daughter OF Miss
Talbot's favorite brother, and had been
conscientiously spoiled by both father
and amt. whose considerable means
enabled them to indulge most OF her
whims. on the plea that she inner
tied her dead mothers deiicacy OF con-
stitution and must not be worried. Inc
latest of these whims had been to en-
rage herself at eighteen to a good
looking young barrister, who, IKE
many of his fellows. had not yet had
an opportunity of giving his eloquence
to the world. He was not what would
be called good .'parti," but he was a
pentlemanly, pleasant fellow genuine
" in love with Maud, who, under all
her fanciful, spoiled childishness, had
warm loving heart, that had really
given itself into Jim Burgoyne's keep.
ing. Therefore, it was with no small
surprise that Miss Talbot heard the an
swer to her question, spoken in an ag
, greived tone:
mo! told nurse to send the car
, rage for me at six. ] hope that is moi
, too late for you? Jim is otherwise en-
gagged"
.sOtherwise engagedr' echoed Mis-
Talbot, in amazement why, Maudie
r what do you mean?"
, Just what say, Aunt Joan! jim
seems to find other things quiet as anus
: ing as looking after me, SO natural.
don't trouble him more than | cal
! help" and the speaker put down he
!. cup and clasping her hands round he
! knee looked resentfully at the fire.
. and pray when did this state
. things begin?' asked Miss Talbot, re
Stunning her interrupted knitting,
smile Frightening her kind gray eyes.
.sOh, you need not laugh, Aunt Joan,
answered Maud, solemnly; lit is yer
;. serious am excessively angry wit
. Jim: and It will be some time before
:. can forgive him, and--and he does nc
: care bit.' This with little catch
her voice that made her aunt look
:. her sharply, and End that the eye
- staring at the fire were full of tear
y The still handsome, stately woma
rose. and drawing chair beside M
=, niece, put her hand upon her shouldt
~ saying:
y sChildl what foolish tiff is this
=, What has Jim done to offend your
Maud hesitated a moment, then r.
Indignation found vent.
II will just tell you the whole thing
a she cried, land you will see If you thin
~ he has behaved we'll 1t all began
that ball we went to last Monds
Sc week. had promised him some OF Il
first waltzes and refused other partner
de and he never came till more than {
hour after we got there. Then, inste;
IS of apologizing. he merely said he hi
been unexpectedly detained by a friel
is whom he had not seen for some tin
he and hoped would give him other dane
to make up. ] said | could not, al
ial told him was not pleased, and dane
en- with other people all night He calm
went and amused himself as ii nothil
had happened, and danced three tim
with Mary Lowell! | would not go
to supper with him, and made faith
come home early. jim came down
the door with us, and asked me to 10
kindly at him before said good nigf
but was much too angry, and new
looked at him at all. The next mol
ing he came, and actually laughed
my reproaches when ] was quite
clined to make friends with him, a
did not see why l complained I
result was that got angry again. t.
him that if he did not care for keepi
his appointments with me he had b
ter not make any, and would not list
to any excuses on his part, but left