The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-15
know. and she is very particular about

know, and she IS very particular about
the acquaintance we make"
''She is quite right" Jack said emphat-
ically; and somehow he felt glad to know
how carefully this pretty little girl was
guarded in her home life.
So they talked on, idly enough, until
the arrival of Jones and the teatray gave
them some further occupation; and Min
ME grew quite bright ana animated over
the cake and thin bread and butter. The
novelty of the position, as she thus did
the honors in somebody else's house, APP
peared to afford her a cbildlike satisfac-
ton, and she laughed and chatted more
gayly than Jack had ever heard before:
SO that altogether it was very cheerful
little party that sat in Mrs. Venner's We
randa that sunny afternoon.
So, at least, thought one unseen spec
tator, as he paused for moment at the
drawing-room window and gazed at the
scene before him with wondering eyes.
Then he stepped out on the veranda, and
Minnie turned with little start and saw
him.
"Colonelv' she cried, and she sprang
up to meet him. 'You have come back.
then?"
"Yes. have come back" he said quiz
city as he shook hands with her. ''We ere
you waiting for metz
"Of course; did not the man tell you?
came here to see you"
And where are you staying, if may
ask?"
with the Myersons. two miles off.
Mr.. Myerson kindly walked over with
me as l did not know the way" she added,
introducing him rather nervously, Jack
thought.
Il am obliged to you, Mr.. Myerson."
he spoke With perfect courtesy, but not
the slightest cordiality. II am sorry
was not in when you arrived. You
should have sent me word, Minnie"
But | thought you were leaving to-
morrow. Connie told me I had better
come at once"
DO you mean Miss Myerson," he
asked. do owe this visit to her?''
Somehow he looked as though the sug-
gestion were scarcely an agreeable one 10
him.
Yes; at least she suggested it,"
She Is very good TO interest herself IN
my affairs"
He spoke in a perfectly colorless tone,
and yet Jack felt uneasy as he heard
him. He scarcely knew why, but he had
an uncomfortable conviction that Connie
had better not have meddled in the mat
ter.
Colonel Leigh was a handsome. soldier
Unlocking man. whose appearance would
have commanded attention anywhere.
dis hair was slightly grizzled, but his
age could not have exceeded 90 if, in
deed. it were so much. and his express
sion was singularly cold and severe.
Minnie was very evidently afraid of
him, and his manner to her, though pro-
foundly courteous, was by no means re-
assuring. She might owe him every re-
spect and consideration; she said she did,
and no doubt she knew best, and the debt
would be paid to the uttermost farthing,
OF that Jack felt sure; but she wasn't fond
of him. and the young man noticed, with
satisfaction for which he did not at
tempt to account, that she was not half so
much at ease now as she had been quar-
ter of an hour ago.
asked presently, wondering little at her
non-appearance.
NO." the Colonel replied, ''she has
gone on to see friend with her daugh-
ters, and will not be back for some
time.o
Jack began to feel uncomfortably in the
way. Conversation tagged terribly, SO
presently he rose aud. strolled Off down
the garden under the pretense Of seeing
Dicks dogs.
Perhaps he wants to talk to her, and
Pm in the way" he said to himself, and
yet there was an appealing look in Min
MES big eyes as he turned away, which
almost recalled him to her side.
lie did not stay in the garden long,
and as he came back to the veranda he
heard Colonel Leigh say with great dis
tinctness:
tina: is enough. Minnie; we will now
drop the subject. You meant no harm,
know, but it must not happen again."
And you are not angry with me?"
II have said you meant no harm. Miss
Myerson should not have done it, but it
can't be helped now; and you-ah, Mr..
Myerson, are you ready? Miss Brender
is sufficiently rested now to return
home"
Pm quite at her service. I hope we
shall have the pleasure OF seeing you
there while you are in the neighbour
hood?'
THANK you. Your mother has kindly
sent me an invitation for the day after
tomorrow, so we shall meet again."
"Oh, yes; the girls have dance coming
off, l KNOW"
Minnie looked little surprised Jack
thought, but she said nothing, and the
Colonel made no further allusion to the
subject.
He walked down the drive with them,
and saw them fairly started on their
homeward way. Then he turned away
and strobe back to the house very SOM
Der look on his grave face.
CHAPTER II.
81 tell you, Susie, would do anything
to annoy him-anythinR in reason, you
know. He is simply the most selt-con-
tanned, unimpressionable man ever met;
and tried to impress him, I did, in
deed"
..I've no doubt you did," Susie re-
piled. with sisterly frankness. And
vou failed YOU say? WE'LL never mind
it isn't the first time"
..Susie," Connie said impressively, 81
never tried so hard in my life only to fail
in the end. 1 stayed ior week in the
same house with him, and people knew
they knew, L tell you! He was very
courteous-oh. maddeningly courteous
Int he wasn't one bit Impressed by my at
teptions. He wasn't even tiattered by
them. Yet, goodness knows, they were
marked enough"
"Yours usually are," and Susie smiled.
"Don't you remember Major Barton and
the Venners' picnic? You made your
self quite remarkable on that occasion,
and yet nothing came OF it. Pve always
told you it was bad FORM"
"Its bad form Of him to be so ungrate-
ful. and PHI pay him out for il vet
Won see if I do not" she said very vim
dictively.
"Why, do you want to flirt with him?"
because no one has ever succeeded in
flirting with him yet. Is not that reason
enough"
"Quite, should say. And do you ex-
pect to be more successful in your efforts
to annoy him?"
"Yes, 1 do"
'.But how?"
''That, my dear Susie, is my affair.""
81 couldn't understand your sudden
affection for that child before hut If sha
is this mans ward"
"Yes?" as Susie paused Significantly.
Don't be hard on her, she's nice little
thing"
Pm not hard on her." with disdain-
full smiie. ION the contrary. Pm her
best friend"
'.Oh? She did not seem very cheerful