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

TWO AND LOVE
It was a moist, unpleasant day. The
rain had begun Immediately after break
fast. and now at IL o'clock it looked
like raining till the crack Of doom. l
had wandered up and down seeking con-
genial company and, finding none, had
finally cast anchor in the billiard room,
where practiced the spot stroke.
had made a break of nine and was
beginning to feel more cheerful, when
suddenly the door opened and Miss An
struther appeared.
"Oh," she said, as she shut the door
and stood with her hands behind her
upon the handle, 81 thought it was Mr..
Mcdonald.
''It is better-and poorer-man, I"
said, resting my cue on the floor do
you want to find Mr.. McDonald?"
"Yes-noi it doesn't matter" said
Miss Anstruther.
= perhaps you can say it to me as
Iell?" 1 suggested. Miss Anstruther
thought a moment or two and then
shook her head.
"No; couldn't say it to you"
1t may have been my fancy, but I
bought that Miss Anstruther blushed.
s Anyway" said cheerfully, "if it
esn't matter, you come and play bill
f rds with me. I'm lonely"
1'But / play very badly" said Miss
fttruther, doubtfully. 81 don't think
teer played seriously"
MWell, this won't be serious, " 1 said,
Hitting light cue and chalking the
up. "Now, all you have to do is make
your ball hit the red and go into a
pocket, or put the red into a pocket-or
both"
"Oh, dearl" said Miss Anstruther,
"what a lot to think about. Therel
What does that count?"
Zone to me-" said, and missed an
easy hazard.
"Why were you SO funny last night?"
said Miss Anstruther.
ct am never funny, said; serious,
humorous, stupid-perhaps-but not
funny"
Miss Anstruther aimed wildly. Her
ball went twice round the table and hit
nothing. ~.
..Eeav.rxs.asqaI che said.
Then she lifted her chin and rested it
ON the tip Of her cue.
"You know what I mean," she said.
"Why did you leave me alone all the
evening with Mr.. McDonald?"
''Well," said, 81 was talking-let
me see-to Miss Bates.
UYOu found her amusinp2''
''Not amusing. Better-pretty."
"Oh, you couldn't call her pretty.
Nice, butt
Decidedly pretty-in her way. Now
You are plain, aren't your" said,
seeing likely cannon.
IL beg your pardon" said Miss An
gtruther coldly.
IT mean-I'm playing with spot. By
JoveP' exclaimed as turned away in
disgust after missing the cannon
''There he is. "
'Whom?" asked Miss Anstruther.
"Mr. Mcdonald, walking up and
down in the garden. smoking cigar, in
the rain. Shall 1 whistle him IMP"
"Oh, no!' said Miss Anstruther.
"Why not?" asked, facing round
toward her. 81 thought you wanted to
see him."
"Oh, there's no hurry-no immediate
hurry" said she. HE doesn't leave
till this afternoon.
'I thought it might be something i'm
portant," said.
"It is important" said Miss An
struther. ooh, you are horridW she
continued, stamping her foot. "You
know quite we'll what shouldn't tell
you, should I?'
"But you haven't told me-" said
consolingly.
"Oh, but you can guess" said Miss
Anstruther, shaking her head. "You
must have Notwithstanding. And
I've no right to say anything about it. u
paused judicially.
"It seems" said after an appropri-
ate interval, quite suitable arrange
ment. Mr.. Mcdonald is very wealthy. u
"Yes," said Miss Anstruther reflect.
lively, she has money. But, then, SC
have L"
"That is what makes it SO suitable, "
said.
"But," said Miss Anstruther, lifting
her eyebrows pathetically, Chefs
well"-
"That is true" said "But we ali
have our faults And poverty's the
worst Of them"
at don't think So" said Miss An
struther quickly.
''Mra AnsTuther thinks So" 1 re-
piled.
eyes, of course, you could see mann
ma wanted''- Miss Anstruther tapped
the floor with her foot.
turned to the window and watched
Mr.. Mcdonald walking up and down
In the rain.
"It happened last night" she said
suddenly, when you were'-
"What happenedF" I asked.
"Oh, you know"
''Your engagement"
ct am not engaged"
"Not engaged? Then what are you
taking about9'
"You are stupid. Don't you under
standH That's what 1 have to decide
TO tell Mr.. Mcdonald this morning
before he goes away. Oh, 1 oughtn't X
tell you all this But you made me- yoV
know. And think you might help me.