The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-03-28

| NANN ~ 81 OAiN Va tiiC man lplhiDIt
stories, and kept on talking till he de-
4 clarcd he couldn't think of anything
| more to say. y most interested audience
| they were, and called for more every
time,hc stopped. Elsie stood leaning on
the back of Macs armchair, looking at
| Howard with her great eyes taking in
every point of the story, and giving
Howard keen pleasure as he watched
her sensitive face change at each new
phase of the story. By and by she sat
down on the arm of Macs chair and
| threw her arm around his neck, lean
ing her head against his in confiding
way that made lump rise in edward S
throat, and he suddenly brought his
tale to an abrupt close.
AT the table Elsie cut the big cake
and handed the first slice, with the
roses that had lain on top beside it, to
Howard. Mac laid his hand on How
ards knee under the table with a pres
sure that meant: You have won her,
she will like you, and Howard felt his
heart throb as the grave eyes, now
sweet and tender. looked at him, and
NAAS ANA II % o4hilGAA, Sic W lSHGu MN
as happy birthday as she was having.
Then came the evening games and
forfelts, and the kiss he hadn't had,
and he wondered if Mac was mistaken
and Elsie didn't like him after all. He
was just as wide awake at three as he
was at twelve, and turn as he might,
her eyes looked up just as they did
when he bent to kiss her. Fallen in
love, do you say? Well, perhaps so,
but he realized that she was Macs sis
ter, and if size did not like him, would
it not take Mac from him also? Sure
ly, she was only child, but then Mac
had said she never changed. Irritated
and puzzled, yet with great longing
for the good will of this household
that had been SO kind to him, he final
ly dropped asleep.
On entering the drawing-room next
morning he saw Elsie standing at the
farther end of the room looking out,
and he crossed to her, saying in his
CHEEKY voice: Good morning, Elsie;
rather dismal landscape, isn't it? I
think it's pleasanter inside, with such a
bright fire, don't your
Yes, indeed, do"
Then turn this way and tell Inc if
you think people ought to pay their
debts when they can just as well as
not? | have a very peculiar case in
mind, where payment has been
evaded, and apparently no effort made
to reach a satisfactory settlement. l
am in quandary about it. What
would you do?'
''Is it a debt to you?"
Yes; and / cannot afford to lose it.
l want it,"
The dark eyes flashed little as she
said: Il would have it if had to go to
law | think it is dreadful thing for
folks to purposely keep other peoples
money, or anything that does not be-
long to them"
This isn't exactly money, but it be-
longs to me, all the same. | am glad
you think as l do about it. When you
say anything that does not belong to
them, it includes kisses, of course, and"
face, and then a mischievous look in
her eyes, and at last she put her hand
kerchief to her mouth to cover the
laugh that she could not keep back.
Her eyes sought the door as if she
wanted to escape; but no, Howard
stood in front of her, and she could not
be so rude as to push him out of her
path. He was laughing too, she saw
when she looked up, and her courage
grew as she said: That's outlawed,
and, besides, it was April Fools day"
and the smile again dimpled her face
Il have read some law, and there is
nothing in any of the books about for
feits outlawing, and so of course they
run right on: and as for the day, why,
am sure you would consider money
loaned on Sunday to be a debt lust as
much as if it We're contracted on Mon
day, though the law would not require
it to be paid. for business must not be
done on Sunday, and any note made
that day would not be good"
"Oh. there comes Mac, and look of
relief showed itself on her counten-
ready wit before this young man, who
could argue case SO well. But she
turned again as they went out to break
fast to ask very demurely: Who is
your collector, Mr.. Payne?'
Quick as thought came the answer:
Mr.. Howard Payne, and it, you have any
bills to be collected | should be glad if
you would put them into my hands. |
promise prompt attention and quick
returns"
81 agree to that, Howard; for know
when you want anything you get it
some way, and when you once get hold
youn ever let 60" said Mac.
Now Mac and Elsie held a lengthy
correspondence, and a jolly writer she
was, too. filling every inch on two
sheets of paper with jokes and happen
ings and family sayings, so that it was
almost like visit home to receive one
of her letters. Seeing how eager How
ard was to hear. he allowed him to
read them all. Once Howard sent her
little note asking if she would get
specimen of blue flower growing near
her home, as he could find nothing of
the kind where he was, and when it
came back it was pressed in a note of
her handwriting, which he carried
about till he feared it would be too