The Portland daily press., 1895-07-12
A NIGHT IN TOWN.

cream.
"And then you might possibly induce
jack to come out with you tomorrow for
over Sunday"
Father looked slyly at mother as he
made this last suggestion, for was there
ever Sunday during the whole long sum-
mer that Jack, my dear, old Jack, did not
spend with us at ApplegateP
Father gave me my instructions. I was
to go to the bank and have check cash
ed, 81, 600 check, pay his fire insurance
premiums, settle a bill at one of the shops
and bring home the hundred or SO I would
have left.
Before boarding the train telegraphed
Jack to meet me at 3, SO when I arrived
In town made straight for the bank and
drew the money, intending to hurry
through my erTands so to have all finished
when Jack and I should meet. But lust
as l stepped from the cashiers window
Mr.. Allan stopped me, saying:
why how do you do, Miss Clydep
How very intent on business we are.'
Hooked up smiling and then felt con-
soious that Harry Allan was looking at
the package of bills in my hand.
"Oh, yes,' replied, "just attending to
few errands for father. How are your
We have been hoping to see you at Apple
gate this summer"
A pleasure yet Ia store for NO. Jack
Osborne has Kindly offered to ohaperon
me some time, and If can get away from
business you may be sure that will avail
myself Of your hospasaiity.''
Chatting and lasighing and interchang-
ing town and ocuntry gossip, Harry and
walked down the street. I thought at
every corner he would leave me, and I
hoped SO devoutly, as I was impatient to
pay out the money that was already be-
coming a care and burden; but, no, he
had never seemed SO attentive Finally
the recollection of mothers injunction
came to me- and I told him I had to do
some shopping. He looked as if he were
about to accompany me.
"Oh, no. Don't come with me- am
buying gown, and word at the wrong
time or even a misplaced smile might per-
vert my Judgment. Come up tonight if
you wish. I'll be staying at the house,
Without giving him time to demonstrate
or even to say goodby turned into the
nearest shop. When I had finished my
purchases, 1t was time to meet Jack, and
the thought of him drove all care for the
money away. The rest of the afternoon
was spent IN much more profitable man
ner than IN any way concerned business
Our gay little dinner was given up en-
stirely TO znirSh, the very idea Of dining
alone being SO deliciously novel that IA
ther's 81, GOO never entered my rattle
Drained haad until we started for home,
and then 1t was but momsntary anxiety,
as felt in my inner pocket only to find
tho crisp notes safely there
Jack and I opeped the house and
brought out rugs for the porch, and were
talking the nothings that we always talk
when saw Harry Allan approaching
Jack grumbied at the threatened Interrupt
ton to our tete-a-tete, but both of us real
ly liked Harry, and we felt it was only
selfshness that made us dislike to AVE
him with us, SO we welcomed him, and,
altar all, we had a very pleasant evening
won't you sing for us, Miss ClydeS''
asked Harry Later in the evening, and SO
went In to the piano, leaving the men to
their cigars. But after one or two songs
Jack followed me in. remember singing
I Wish 7 Were Where the Gady Runs, ;
but did not at ALL I would not have
Doou duyWuoTS LII dl1 Uuo WorlU oACcpb
right there with Jack leaning over the
piano and joining in the music with his
deep, mellow voice. Harry was forgotten,
and when he came In to bid me good night
it was with a start that remembered he
was one Of the party.
"You surely won't stay here tonight,
will you, Miss Oiyde7 Can't induce you
to go home with meP Mother would be
charmed to have you"
''Oh, no, thank you, Mr.. Allan; I am
not bit afraid, and then, you know,
have to get down town SO early. have not
yet attended to fathers business, and if I
staid at your house would disturb dear
Mrs. Allan, who, know, is used to her
late breakfast BY 10 O'Clock expect to
have my errands done and be on my way
to the station"
Dorothy, dear, don't stay here; do go
to MIR. Allan's or the Browns. -
"Why, Jack, you are as foolish as mann
ma. You need not talk about it; lam de-
ternined now to stay and prove to all you
fussy bodies that an American girl is quite
safe in her own house, even if alone"
"Well, if you are determined, L suppose
there is nothing I can say, especially as
jack s advice does not CO. laughed Har-
ry, and, bidding me goodby, ran down the
steps. Jack staid a few minutes longer,
and then said:
"Good night, foolish little girl. You
will be sorry tomorrow, when you see me
looking worn and haggard after a sleep
less night worrying about you. You ought
to be made to obey, but declare can't
undertake a task at which your parents
have 50 sippally failed -
And dear, sweet Jack kissed me good
night and left.
When he was really gone regret
ted the foolish pride that had made me
stick to my threat of remaining alone in
that great, dreary house, but repentance
came too late Feeling nervous and excit-
ed, took book to my room and read for
a half hour CT SO, trying to quiet nay dis
turbed nerves.
Finally, getting somewhat sleepy, be-
gan to prepare for bed. AS stepped to the
dressing case to braid my hair for the
night the first glance into the mirror re-
sealed the face of Harry Allan at the tran-
som. My first thought was that was in
some danger and no had come to protect
me. My impulse was to oall him by name,
but as / looked again his desperate expres-
sion showed me that should ] speak or
scream no course would be too brutal for