Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-06-21

all that forever Anger, grief, and
species of resentment struggled together
for mastery in her heart, aud like
winged creature Eustacia flew down
stair again, to where Mr.. Pettibone
was.
"Mr. Pettiboue,' she faltered and
her sutton stood upright, with something
of puzzled face--"Mr. Pettibone--
please don't laugh at me but have
changed nv mind"
Changed your mind. Eustacia p
I'll will be your wife !"
And then Eustaca began to cry.
It's what girls always do when they
are engaged" thought Mr. Pettibone,
and he was pleased, after his clumsy
fashion.
Half an hour afterward CARL Upham
came into the quiet little room whore
Eustacia had resumed her old seat be-
fore the fire, and was sitting in bewil-
dered, dreamy sort of mood, aud his
eyes caught the glitter of diamond on
her fore-fnger
Whats that p said he, little sus-
piciously, and Eustacia answered
cts my engagement ring | have
promised to marry Mr. Pettibone."
"Eustacia !"
why not ?" she answered defantly.
"Mr, Pettibone likes me, and may as
well be engaged as--as other folks p
"Just as you please" CARL said qui-
city and ono week afterward he sailed
for Japan.
And Eustacia, prejudiced though she
was against the fair unknown quanti-
ty" of Mr. Upham' lfc-equation, could
not but pity herself for the long months
and years OF doubt and solitude through
which she must pass before he came
home again Yes, she felt that she was
revenged
The years went by, is years have u
fashion of doing, whether we laugh or
weep, suffer or enjoy; and old Mrs.
Pipor grew fecbler and feebler with ev-
cry Christmas She would have missed
Miss Moore if she had been condemned
to exist without her tender care, though
she did scold terribly when Eustacia
broke the marriage contract and gave
Mr.. Pettibonc back tho diamond which
had dazzled CARL Upham's eyes in the
freight.
Dear Mrs. Piper, Lam happier with
you" coaxed Eustacia, and the poor
childless old woman had not the heart
to chido her further.
Ten years afterward, Mrs. Piper and
Eustacil sat before the fire, as they had
sat many and many momentous even
ings, when the door opened and in
marched Mr. Upham, tall and brown.
and whiskered like corsair.
What joyful welcome there was for
him But, after all. certain restraint
fingered over them all
"non't disturb yourself, | beg my
chair here is very comfortable, Mrs.
Pettibone," said CARL C, tremendously, as
he seated himself.
"Who is he talking to p demanded
Aunt Piper shrilly. There is no Mrs.
Pettibone here !"
as not Eustacia-" and be colored
and stopped.
"No, she's not, bless your heart.
CARL she never cared for him r.
"Then," said CARL, speaking 10 his
aunt, but looking straight Mt Eustacia,
why did she engage herself to him r
II don't know myself" involuntarily
answered Eustacia, feeling her cheeks
burn; ga girls freak. | suppose y
And the subject, to her great relief,
was allowed to drop there
The next day, however, when CARL
was giving them gay description of
his life in the dominions Of the Tycoon,
Aunt Pipor interrupted him somewhat
acrimoniously.
"If you were having such very nice
time there, don't see what you came
home at all for !"
Perhaps said Eustacia with her
eyes fixed very intently on her crochet
work, che came here to be married."
What do you mean p asked CARL.
"I-that is" stammerod Eustacia,
heartily wishing she had hold her
tongue. "Tbat evening | engaged my
self to Mr.. Pettibone, accidently hap
pened to overhear Mrs Piper aud you
talking about your engagement.
about my engagement. Oh, | rc-
member it all But il wasn't an en-
gagement in esso only an engagement
in futuro You we're the girl | wanted
to marry, Eustacia wrestlcd NOR.
tai half hour for Aunt Dorcas' consent,
and when | gained il you we're wearing
old Pettibone's ring"
II thought you loved some one else"
murmured Eustaca. II was half mad
with Jealousy. o, CARL how could
think so meanly Of your
'ls it too late now, Eustacia, TO be
the lovers We might have been "
NO." she answered softly.
The cup Of happiness. long withheld :,
was at their lips now but they had
lost ten years of a lifetime
When will lovers learn 10 use their
common sense ?--New York Neps.