The Van Buren press., 1895-07-27

sat still for three minutes. Then l
stretched out my hand took my hat,
and rose to my feet. l made some
little noise in neutrality-suspicious. moro
than ] need. But Flo did not turn
round.
"Just fancy" said she, as though she
were enjoying conversation with the
window-pane, "if this sort Of thing
happened when we were married. And
unless you changed very much, IT."
IF 1t were enough for me to
change" began, 1oftily.
Now" interrupted Flo, still ad-
dressing herself to the window-pane,
"it doesn't matter. We can just sepa-
rate. But then we should have to 90
on being together"
/ Something struck me In this last OBJ
servation. laid down my hat.
'Gad, SO we shouldl' said l. srhat
would be rather queer"
I'VE should have to stay in the same
house-even In the same room some
times" And Flo's graceful back was
agitated with shudder.
I'VE should" assented II suppose
you wouldn't speak for the whole even.
ing?"
I'VE should have to keep up appear.
ances, and seem to tie friendly when
the servants were there-and--oh, IL
would be awful" -
l put my hands In my pockets and
surveyed Flo.
"What should we have to doP" l
asked, with curiosity.
make loathsome pretense of-of
still caring for one another, suppose"
said Flo, with groan of prospective
horror. Atzf.# -
But what should we have to do?" l
persisted. wanted details. Should
We have to talk?"
"Yes," snapped Flo.
"should l." l pursued, taking q
step towards Flo, ''have to kiss you?"
'0h, l suppose wonder why you
don't gol"
"And would you have to kiss me?''
To this question I received no an
swer at all, But l was bound to ex-
tract one; could not leave the matter
unsettled. So rang the bell.
What are you ringing for9" said Flo,
facing round suddenly.
For the footman," said I, nodding
my head.
Il should have thought you could
find your way out" and she right
about-faced again.
Then William opened the door.
"Did you ring, sir?" he asked, OBJ
serving, / suppose, that Flo did not ap-
pear to want anything.
"Yes, William, rang. want"
"It's mistake, William" came sud-
denly from the window. stsl
"No, 1t isn't" said I. II must ask
William" seq
Nonsense, Dick! It's only Mr.. vnn-
sittart's Joke. William"
"Well, them" said I, "can we do It
without William? If SO, he can CO."
There was the slightest of pauseA
Then Flo said:
"Yes, you may go, William"
William, looking somewhat puzzled,
withdrew; and then Flo, much flushed,
turned round once for all. .,.sl.
II can't think" said she, show you
can be 80 foolish. don't know what
you'd have done in another minute"
II should," answered, shave kept
up appearances"
Flo's lips twitched q little. saw It
in moment. .t
at is perfectly useless for me-" OBJ
served, plaintively, ITO try to escape
from you. Your resentment Ii not to
be relied upon for quarter Of an hour.
am nearly heartbroken about Phil
ippa March,"
"well, I'm most sore about Capt
Worsley."
But" said I, "Tm going to be man.
I'm going to forget Philippa and keep
my word to you. win you put the cap
tain out Of your hearth"
"Ill try" said Cousin Flo. ,a
because you know If, after we are
married, you speak of him with re-
greet"
.'or II you seem to wish Philippa
had"
"All those terrible things will hap
pen."
"Yes, 1 know, Dick. Are we really
wise toto risk it2"
knitted my brows. 1t was really q
serious question. I studied Flo's
features. S
"Im puzz led" answered. You're
very charming, Flo, but" a.e
81 don't trust you, Dick"
There was long sad pause. Flo
held out her hand with a gesture OF
farewell. Hooked in her eyes. took
| the hand.
ut is really best" said Flo, gently.
II suppose it is" said I, rather for
lornly, squeezing her hand. al
Marriage is such an irrevocable
| STEP" Flo reminded me. fn
well, anyhow, it's very trouble
some to-"
e"And IT," interrupted Flo, ''when it
was too late, when we awoke to the
fact-Nol G-good-by, Dickr
"Good-by, Flo," said l much moved.
Thus we parted. took my hat, and,
without backward glance, started
for the door. kf lfcr l
At this moment, curiously enough,
the door opened. William came in.
"Please, miss" said he, "tea'sready
In the drawing-room." ~ W.
"Thank you, William" said Flo In .
very low voice.
William withdrew. I stood medita-
lively in the middle Of the room. Then
put my hat down.
Hang It," said I, resting my eyes on
Flo's face, 1--WE shall always have the
servants!''
1.-THE servantsp" murmured Flo, In
question.