Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-27

"And why Miss Lynn, prayY"
Really, Mr.. Brent, said most sheer
ingly, ~ cannot undertake to explain to
you why Miss Lynn is particular about
whom she associates with"
thought this would crush him, but it
didn't.
Seeing that you are one of her associ-
ates, Mr.. Hite," and he swept a scornful
salaam before me, II should think not. "
Mr.. Brent, " l said, exasperated almost
beyond control, for 1 saw he was bent on
interfering with my plans for the evening,
eff you will permit me to explain, l will
say to you that l am here by design"
"And so am 1, sir"
Miss Lynn, l continued, "has an en-
gagement with me for this evening, made
yesterday, and may add that from what
she said to me at the time and from what
I have said to her at more than dozen
times during tho past two weeks, that en-
gagemont will very probably be made a
permanent one"
'In other words, Mr.. Hite you and
Miss Lynn will be an engaged couple aftor
this EVENING"
"Exactly, Mr.. Brent"
"Thcn, Mr.. Hitc, he went on, "let me
inform You, that 1 am. also a sutton for
that young lady's hand
"Hor fortune, you mean, sncered.
"Ploaso don't interrupt ;" he said. 81
was more polite when you were talking.
As was saying, l am also a sutton for her
hand, and she does not, / fancy, look cold
ly upon me. Indeed had an engagement
with her myself this evening"
He was telling me a cruel lie, and I
knew it, but 1 could not tell him so. l
had my engagement to keep with Ethyl,
and l could rot risk fight and go to her
covered with gore and victory and much
less with gore and defeat, for Brent was
an athlete while 1 wasn't
But you do not love her as I do" I
said half plcadingly.
Love her, MANI" and his tones were
fierce and fervid. "Love her? Why, you
could no more love that woman as l love
here than a hulnming bird could fly with
an eagle. All my hopes and my ambi-
tions, my present and my future, what l
have and what am or ever expect to be,
are in her hands, and if l thought they
were to be thrown back upon me would
cast myself into the sea on the instant.
Love her, man? Love her? Why, my love
for her passes the comprehension of dozen
men like you"
This was painful and personal, but /
preserved my baltnco.
Tits easy for you to talk'-he was a
lawyer replied, "but you are not select
ing the proper text. Ethyl Lynn for
weeks has been to me the one woman in
the world, and would give my life gladly
to win her. Already we have talked over
the future that is opening so happily be-
fore us, and l have gazed rapturously
along tho rose leafcd path which we shall
follow hand in hand to the end Of our
days"
[ am sure Brent thought l was lying to
him, but fortunately he did not say so.
At that moment l was desperate, and it
would have taken very little for me to be-
como faCtor in IA twilight tragedy down
by the sounding sea.
Mr.. Brent," 1 said, REFRESHING my in
dignation, ''you have traduced this lady,
and | do not want to hear any more from
you"
81 have not traduced her any more than
you have, sir, " he retorted. cit does not
traduco n woman for an honest man to say
he loves her"
"Thank you," said I, much to his sur
prise at the neat turn 1 had given his re-
mark.
And why shouldn't have thanked him?
l, at least, was an honest man. and l loved
Ethyl Lynn with all my soul
Brent was an interloper, and was Ger
tain of it, He had the specious manner
of the man of that character.
MIR. Brent, !" | continued, seeing that
he was silent "you have made certain
sta+ements this evening concerning q lady
which must be shown to be true or you
will have to answer for them to me"
This was almost declaration of war,
and | made it with some degree of nerv-
business, but it had to be done.
"Nery well, sir" he replied confidently,
II think | can satisfy you that l am speak
ing the truth" And he took from his peck
ct a delicate little note and handed it to
me. 1t was from Miss Lynn-from Ethyl
and it appointed a meeting with Mr..
Brent chat evening at 8 o'clock.
Was it possible that had made a mis-
take in understanding her to say that she
would also meet me that evening at the
same timer ., -,
This was possible, for I know that when
she told mo to come was in such n state
Of rapture as scarcely to be responsible.
"This note, l said after had glanced
over it by the light of Brents cigar, for it
was already dark, "seems to entitle you to
some rights in the premises, but there are
others to be satisfied in this matter"
''Rathor, 1 should say" he said with
the air of triumphant conquercr. "Can
you show cause why you are here, Mr..
Hite?'
"None sir, said, Drawing it out as
best could, "exceptmy verbal statement, /
and hardly think Mr.. Brent will say that
[ am q liar"
cit is not necessary for Mr.. Brent to
say what he believes, he replied, and I /.
never felt so like hitting a man in my life,
but restrained my belligerency.
Neither is it necessary for two gentle !
men within sight of lady's house to be-
come common street brawlers, !" 1 retCrted |
with great dignity.
"Another tina is better" And there was
4 threat in his voice.
"Quite so, Mr.. Brent. Now let us go on .
to Miss Lynn's cottage and submit the .
matter to her"
GAS you please, Mr.. Hite."
We walked on in silence. A storm was
rising, the black clouds were banking up |
N the west There were flashes of light
ming and the angry muttering of thunder,
out all of it was May morning to the
storm that was raging within us. We
walked some distance apart, but met at