Marble Hill press., 1896-10-08

which accompanied these words. The
small red lips had a most unbecoming
pout, the deep violet eyes an angry
and scornful flash, while the delicately
pencilled hrows were drawn so closely
together, that their arches almost Ll+..
The Individual addressed, to all appear
ance, took this outburst very coolly
though inwardly very much annoyed
You need feel under no particular
obligations to me-" he said, quietly,
without raising his eyes from the book,
whose leaves he was turning with no
very definite idea of their meaning
1t is my candid opinion, l am very
sorry to say"
Indeed! Miss Agnes Ward is not
IH-tempered in the least, I suppose?"
Miss Agnes Ward is what you can
be. when you choose-a very amia5le
young lady,
why don't you ask her to marry
you? | should think you would, she is
1 sucn paragon Of perfection!"
Because I don't love her, and I do
love somebody else"
That somebody else ought to feel
very much flattered But if you mean
me, let me tell you that the sooner YOU
transfer your affections to her, or some
other lady, the better | shall be suited"
you don't mean what you say,
Susan"
4
Yes1I do mean what l say" replied
the young lady, her cheeks growing
very red. And what is more, I am
convinced we are rot suited to each
other, and that it is best that we part"
MT. Arkrlght arose. He had turned
slightly pale, and there was a grave
LOOK In his eyes, and quiet expression
OF the lips, full of significance in one
habltually so calm and self-controllad.
lie deliberately buttoned up his coat
and drew On his gloves. Then taking
up his hat, he said:
You will be sorry for what Won have
said, bye-and-bye," and left the house
Frank Ray, Susan's brother, had
been sitting upon the piazza, during
TINS conversation, and the windows be-
ing open, had heard enough to under
stand its import, and if he had not.
Mr. Arkright's grave. absent look as
he passed him, would have given him
an inkling of the truth.
Entering the hall, he pushed omen the
door OF the room where his sister was
sitting, in an as thoroughly uncomfort-
able state of mind as one could ms
sibly conceive.
You'll lose John, if you are not care
full. Sue" he said, after looking at her
a moment without speaking.
Il wish you wouldn't NEEDLE with nv
affairs, Frank" retorted Susan, petu-
iantly. 'Tt would be no great loss. if
should
You wouldn't care, suppose, if he
should enlist, as Bert, Laura Deans
bethrothed, has?"
The memory of Laura's pale, sad face
rose up before her, and she looked
little startled
Enlist? He has no thought of en-
listing. ALI his brothers are in the
army, and he wouldn't be likely to
leave his mother all alone. Besides
the quota is made up"
I know that, but now that thew are
on the point of starting, two or three
Of them would be glad to get a SUBJ
stitute. Wyllis Burt would, I know.
for he told me So
Frank turned careiessly away as he
said this, but his words had aroused
an unpleasant train of thought in
Susan's mind, which she strove vainly
to dispel.
Nonsense" she said to herself
Frank 10 trying to tease me. He
knows better. wish / hadn't said
what I did, but John is so provoking.
&C he would only get angry like other
people, and not sit there SO cool ard
calm, and say such disagreeable things
{ wish he wasn't so perfect himself. or
didn't expect me to be. One don't like
20 be always in the wrong"
The hearts of John and Susan were
1rawn together by strong bond of
mutual sympathy and affection, and
hey both possessed many excellent
qualities, yet scarcely a week passed
without some such scene as the above.
.hough Susan had never allowed her
elf to speak such bitter words before
and never had John parted from her in
such an, ungracious manner.
Truth compels us to acknowledge
hat Susan was the one at fault. To-
gether with warm, loving heart size
sad quick. impulsive temper, which
tften betrayed her into language which
he afterwards deeply regretted. The
,nly daughter among host of sons.
IN amount Of petting was Iavished up-
n her by both parents and brothers.
hat would have completely spoiled
esa kind md ingenious disposition.