The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-03-15


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 compart-
ment for two full hours, it might be
more philosophical-not to say agree
able-if we raise flag of truce We
cnn confne ourselves to commonplace
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 the young 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 WE'LL" remark ed the young
man, resuming his seat and scraping
his throat little nervously, 1T is u
charming day"
Very, but rather cool for the sea-
son.
"Ah, yes; perhaps we may have rain,
| 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.
rs it necessary" retorted Miss st.
John, that you should turn yourself
into weather bureau and give me re-
ports of what has been? l suppose
that we should confine ourselves to the
present or future"
There is no future for me-" said her
companion, sadly. Then fiippaDtly, as
if anxious to recall his words, he added:
Don't you think there is limit to
the-weather for a topic? Suppose we
try something else"
I'VE have talked long enough" re-
turned the young woman, severely. ~
prefer to read" and she resolutely
opened the novel
us it Interestingly" he persisted, after
a pause.
"Intensely"-
ut 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?"
ut 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.
''In little while" he whispered,
disregarding her glance of angry toll
Grafton, "the train will reach Holy
head, and like thistle-dowus 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."
~ did not say So" exclaimed the
girl, with flashing eyes.
~ thought" he continued, ''that to
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 write oook-occasion-
ally"
'Yes, i" she seemed to force the words
from her lips-"I ber-that. 1t
is very obliging in you to entertain me.
What is your plot?''
Mr.. Dennison began to count off on
his fingers his dramatis person@.
There is Miss Maude Vivian-heir-
ess.
"Mr. Henry Dubois-a poverty-strick-
en- artist.
mr.. John Halifax-Very handsome,
very rich, and-nothing in particular.
"Scene-Central Africa
Your scene is preposterous and your
com bination of characters improbable, f"
complained Miss St John.