Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-10-02

mother wants her to-you know-and
the man isl
Erich" l suggested
Eyes, and-like that" Miss An
struther nodded toward the window
ITS a difficult question" l said, "a
very difficult question. AS you have
asked me to advise you-well-do you
love him?'
"You may put that aside, said Miss
Anstruther with a sweep of her hand
"That simplifles matters" said
"Then there comes the question Of filial
duty. You see, a parent judges in these
matters with less-I mean With greater
freedom from-personal feeling"
but, " objected Miss Anstruther, lit
is a very personal matter, isn't it2 Be-
sides, am sure mamma would never
want me TOTO marry any one whom
she thought didn't really-I didn't
or, mean, if p
1 shook my head gravely.
"You must really be frank with me,
IL am to advise you profitably, said
eff 1 really cared for some one else,"
said Miss Anstruther, very softly.
"Ah-there's some one elsep"
Miss Anstruther nodded
"Who doesn't care for you?"
"Oh, yes, he does, said Miss An.
struther quickly, raising her eyes for q
moment to mine, and then dropping
them again.
was just addressing my mind to this
fresh complication, when Miss An
struther jumped up
''Oh, but we are not playing" she
said. "It's my turn, isn't it?"
"It is" l said, with q sigh, for
should have preferred to follow out the
subject but, excuse me, you won't do
it that way, and if you hold your cue
like that you'll dig hole in the cloth. "
went round the table to where Miss
Anstruther was standing
Keep quite still and I'll show you,"
said. 1 placed her hand in the right
position at the butt end Of the cue, and,
holding it there, showed her how to
make proper bridge with the left hand
and slide the cue smoothly and horizon
tally over it
"Now," said, still retaining guild
ing hand on the cue, eff you aim so,
you'll get the pocket-unless the balls
kiss.
Naturally was compelled to stand
very close to Miss Anstruther during
this object lesson-so close that the curl
that nestled round her left ear tickled
my lips as my breath stirred it.
Miss Anstruther made her stroke 1t
was a ridiculous stroke.
"Were you really going for the pock-
et?" l asked.
II think, said she, turning and fac
ing me, 1.-THE kiss spoiled it. "
Miss Anstruther was strangely agi-
tated over her failure. Thinking it bet
ter to change the subject from billiards,
l said:
Tell me, what are you going to say
to Mr.. McDonald?"
We were, as have said, of necessity
very close together. and Miss Anstruther
dropped her eyes.
81 am going to tell him, " she said,
"that don't care for him-not in that
way-and"-
And that's what you meant when
you said just now that-that-you
couldn't say it to me?"
Miss Anstruther's attention was fixed
upon the toe of her right shoe, which she
was tapping with the butt end of her
cue. Mine was concentrated ON Miss
Anstruther's dropped eyelids Conse-
quently neither of us heard the door
open.
"Hellol Playing?" said Mr. McDon-
aid, walking round toward the marking
board What's the gamer"
1.-THE game" said, looking up, sis
Jet me see-two and love Isn't it,
Miss Anstruther?''
Miss Anstruther looked quickly at
Mr.. Mcdonald and then at me-
Eyes" she said.
Him, lost forever" said Mr. No
DSlald, going out and slamming the
door.
II hope So, said as I turned again
to Miss Anstruther Black and White