The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-03-24

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asked Miss Talbot of her pretty niece,
+, Maud, who was enjoying an afternoon
cup of tea in the lowest chair she could
| find 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 aunt, whose considerable means
enabled them to indulge most of her
whims, on the plea that she inher-
tied her dead mothers delicacy OF con-
stitution and must not be worried. The
, latest of these whims had been to en-
gage herself at eighteen to good
| looking young barrister, who, like
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
gentlemanly, pleasant fellow genuine
! ly in love with Maud, who, under all
her fanciful, spoiled childishness. had a
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
riage for me at six. hope that is not
too late for you? Jim is otherwise en-
gagged"
"Otherwise engagedy' echoed Miss
Talbot, in amazement "Why, Maudie,
what do you mean?'
Just what say, Aunt Joan! Jim
seems to find other things quiet as anus
ing as looking after me, so naturally
/ don't trouble him more than 1 can
help" and the speaker put down her
cup, and ciasping her hands round her
knee looked resentfully at the fire.
And pray when did this state Of
things begin?" asked Miss Talbot, re-
suming her interrupted knitting, a
smile frightening her kind gray eyes.
"Oh, you need not laugh, Aunt Joan, :"
answered Maud, solemnly; 'it is very
serious. / am excessively angry with
Jim: and it will be some time before
can forgive him. and-and he does not
care bit" This with little catch in
her voice that made her aunt look at
her sharply, and find that the eyes
staring at the fire were full of tears
The still handsome, stately woman
rose, and drawing chair beside her
niece, put her hand upon her shoulder
saying:
"Child! what foolish tiff is this?
What has Jim done to offend you?"
Maud hesitated a moment, then her
indignation found vent.
II will just tell you the whole thing
she cried, land you will see if you think
he has behaved well. 1t all began at
that ball we went to last Monday
week. l had promised him some of the
! first waltzes and refused other partners,
and he never came till more than an
hour after we got there. Then, instead
of apologizing, he merely said he had
been unexpectedly detained by friend
whom he had not seen for some time,
and hoped would give him other dances
to make up. l said l could not, and
/ told him was not pleased, and danced
with other people all night He calmly
went and amused himself as if nothing
had happened, and danced three times
with Mary Lowell! would not go in
to supper with him, and made father
come home early. Jim came down to
the door with us, and asked me to lool,
kindly at him before said good night,
but was much too angry. and never
looked at him at all. The next morn
ing he came, and actually laughed al
| NV raprOachaS 1yhap I was anita in
clined to make friends with him, anc
did not see why / complained. The
result was that ! got angry again, tolt
him that if he did not care for keeping
his appointments with me he had bet
ter not make any, and would not lister
to any excuses on his part, but left hin