Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-11-29
BOTH WERE WRONG.

~ Il IL w AIIO1l w -lONIAN ~
off were man and pretended to love
q girl very much. said Nan loftily, II
should be ashamed to be jealous of her up
on every possible occasion-yos, ashamedp'
"And if l were a girl 1 should be
ashamed to give man cause for jealousy"
retortod Angus Trevor hotly. "You are
an incorrigible llirt, Nan, and you cannot
deny that you sang for at least an hour
last night with that self opinionated little
chap, Raylol"
"And why shouldn't l sing with him,
pray? He is a very interesting man, and
believe you are onvious because you
haven't his lovely tenor voice." answered
Nan provokingly.
This was cruel of Nan, for Angus lack
of musical ability was sore point with
him, and she knew it.
"YOu are unjust, Nan. You know I do
not think that. What object to is your
flirting with other mon wh'A 1 am near,
as you so constantly do. The knowledge
that l don like it seems to have no weight
with you, and last nights proceedings
were the last straw Unless you mean to
act differently in the future our engage
ment can hold no further happiness for
either of u.s."
"Oh, don't wish any man to be bound
to me against his will, cried Nan, tossing
her head haughtily, land as don't seem
able to please you perhaps we had better
agree to see no moro of each other"
There was pause.
"Well, " began Angus desperately, "what
is to be doneY Will you say you are sorry,
Nam"
ono, because am not" replied Nan
deliberately. "If you had given me time
to explain at first instead of accusing ME
Of all manner of hateful things, 1 should
have told you that Mr.. Rayle is a married
man. l shall refuse to hear more until
you have apologizcd, and even then l shall
have to think twice before consent to
marry man who evidently trusts me no
farther than he can see me-"
Hurrying home, Angus indited plead
ing, passionate letter. begging forgiveness,
yet with mans stupidity, repeating the
very things his proud little love could not
pardon.
After a days suspense he received
short note saying that for the present
friendship was all she could offer him and
signing herself as his very truly, Nan
Chester.
So the two gradually drifted apart-Nan
too proud to meet him half way, Angus
convinced that no effort on his part could
bridge the gulf between them.
Then rumors of Mans engagement to
wealthy London man reached him, and he
buried himself still deeper in hard work to
drown his pain, failing miserably.
Three months dragged YEARLY away,
and Nan was just contemplating making
a straggle to regain her lost happiness,
when the news came that Angus had been
thrown from his horse and seriously hurt.
And my DEAR" added Miss Grange,
the busybody who had FASTENED to ac-
quaint Nan with the facts, 1.-THE doctors
say they cannot tell the extent of his in
juries-they may be internal Dear me,
how terribly pale you are! Are you ill?'
A week of sickening suspense followed,
during which Nan wandered aimlessly
about the house, her sole consolation being
the daily report of his progress, sometimes
grave, sometimes hopeful, until one day
groom galloped up with note addressed
to Miss Nan Chester. 1t was in Angus
writing, though sadly weak and altered,
and with trembling fingers Nan tore it
open.
"Will you come to meY' it ran. 81 am
longing for you, and that other cannot
mind, seeing how much luokier he is than
l."
He was lying on low couch, his arm
bound up in splints. He held out his I'M
injured hand as Nan, pale as marble, tim
idly advanced.
Glow good you are to come" he whis-
pered gratefully. sit is like your tender
heart to grant the request of poor beggar
like me. Perhaps it was selfish to ask you
to spare me the time"
ooh, mol" replied Nan softly. 81 was
very glad you wanted me, for IL was
longing to come"
"Does your lover know you are here?"
"My lover!' echoed Nan stupidity.
"What do you mean?'
81 mean the man you are engaged to
the London man. He need not mind,
heaven knows. He will have you all his
life"
II don't understand-you are making
some strange mistake" said Nan slowly.
81 have no lover, and have had none since
since you went away"
"Nan, could you ever take me back if 1
promised never to be jealous or angry with
you againY'
81 would take you back if you were
jealous of Inc every day of your life for l
should know then that you really love me
far, far better than 1 deserve, dearP'-
London News.
- i 10 oaf