The record-union., 1895-08-24

Nay, nay" said Leatherbarrow.
"Persecuted? Nay"
What else can you call it? Fighting
and threatening people till they are afraid
TO come near me. Why can't you let me
alone? Why can't | walk out with any
one like without you in,erfering?"
Il never inLertered WI nobry nobbut
th' lads, Catty." expostulated Bob very
mildly.
well, that's jest it," cried she, stamp
ing her foot.
How con 1 let another chap keep
company VII yO' when Pm keepln'
company myself? 'risn't iii rayson.
II they'd leave yo' alone Ia leave them
alone"
"You mean to go on like this always,
then?" interrupted Catty angrily.
WELL" said Bob, ''once we're we'd, yo'
knoWen, there wunDot be no 'casion fur
it,"
ooh, DEAR" she cried, and then she
burst into tears. 'Oh dear, Oh dear, Fn
the most miserable girl alive."
"Catty." said Bob in amazement. He
had never seen her cry before, and was
OVerw whelmed at the sight.
YES" sobbed she, II am. / wish l
was dead, that | do. l detest the very
sight of you, but | suppose shall have
to marry you some time. because L am so
tired OF always saying no, and never hav-
ing fun like other girls. But you'll be
very sorry, L eau tell you thatn'
She jerked down her handkerchief and
looked at him, her eyes glowing through
her tears.
"Pll do my very best to make you
sorry. Ill make you rue the way you
have treated me. Pll pay you out, see if
| don'tn'
Pm willin'," said Bob, kind of du-
bious rapture overspreading his face, Ito
marry me?'
Her tears flowed faster than ever.
Il suppose l may as well, as you won't
let me have any one else. But don't do
it willingly, and I shall always hate you
and wish | was dead. l only hope Phi
die before the wedding day! On, Bob"
looking up in sudden desperate entreaty.
cant you see that it won't make you
happy to have me for your wife? You
have only bullied me into it, and L shall
be always always miserable"
| Bob looked round, at the piano, and
the workable. and the cupboard in
which were stored the ''chaney" and the
spoons. and then he looked at Catty. lie
was quite pale.
Lass he said "dun yo' rally mean
thot? L con scarce believe it,"
It's true" said Catty, and another
big round tear rolled over her smooth
cheek.
We'll. then-give over cryin' fur Gods
sake I'm fair beat. Give over, love,
an yo' con as yo' pleased"
lie walked over to the window and
looked out blankly, continuing, pres
emily, in mufiied tones:
IN never seech to keep company wiz
yo' no moro, am yo' con walk WI Ony
chap yo' fancy. PIl not hinder yo'."
Catty wiped her eyes and stared at
him, loo much astonished to speak.
I'D never ha' denied yo' nowt," went
on Bob presently. "a body 'ud think
yo' met ha' made yo'rsol 'appy 'ere-but
there-we's say no more about it,"
After moments pause Catty drew
near renorsetniy and touched his arm
~ ou're not angry with me, Bob. You
don't wish me lii:"
Nay nay he replied, without look
ing round. II dunnot wish yo' ill, lass.
Pm a bit disapp'nted, but rIl happen
soon get over it,
This was not exactly what she had ex-
pected. and the laugh with which she
next spoke did not ring true
"Oh, yes, OF course. you'll soon get
over 1t. on must look out for some
body else"
"Ah," agreed Bob mournfully, "ru
look out fur sOOmbry else;
Catty felt unreasonabiy angry.
NV ell, don't court her as Won did me
thaps ali, or you'll spoil your chances.
Good-by. L am going now''
"Good-by," said Bob, turning round
with face of infinite woe.
II IN sure you're not so sorry as all
that" exclaimed Cat,y, halflaughing and
half crying.
Il am sorry" said Bob, with great
sob. r
well, it's all your own fauItn said
she. hesitatingIy. "If you-if you had
courted me properly it wouldn't have
happened"
''Do yo' mean yo'd ha' bin willin' to
taxi me?" cried Leatherbarrow.
There's no telling" responded Cattv
with blush and an arch look. .'If YOU
had taken me out walking sometimes.
and let me walk with other people when
| fancied for q change, and after while.
when had time to know you-it you'd
asked me nicely and humbly and low
lngly II ia have you for husland-I
might have said-yes."
"Eh, Catty."
well, now I've given you a lesson.
You'd better try it with-somebody else.u
'Eh, Catty. But I'd dale sooner try
1t WI yo'. ConnOt yo' give a mon anoth-
er chance? I'd begin straight fro' th' be-
glnnln' and coort yo' nobbut same's yo'
tell me; l1h, do my lass. Theer isn't no.
bry as con tax to same as yo', Catty."
Catty looked refiectively at the honest.
| dered to the piano. and thence to the
workable and the cupboard in the cor
ner, and all at once she smiled.
we can but try it, she said graci-
ously. bob, please, l should like to see
| the silver teapotp'-M. L. Francis in
Longman's.