The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-07-24


not notice me Half way down the
street came on Miss Maehin walking
with tall youth whom recognized
as the undesirable Simmons A. they
did not see me and IL was no business
of mine, | passed on
II was a week before heard Of Joan.
Then l met young Simmons looking 50
unusually cheerful that I wanted TO ask
him what good fortune had come TO him.
but civilization forbade such inquiries
of acquaintance. After mentioning
the weather. he said with some confu-
sion: 1t WAS a pity you missed Miss
Forsyth's river party We had a ripping
day"
Where? When2' exclaimed.
last Wednesday. She said she'd
asked YOU
YES, but didn't know she had asked
YOU. said. bluntlv.
He blushed "a little: ne is a fairly in
cenuous youth and has not outgrown
the trick
Well. You see he said. she didn't
exactly ask me. but I heard she was
going. and l happened 10 be there.
That's how II vas
20. YOU happened To hear. and i.s
AAaA- vi CURIOUS NIlu l.
looking Al him. gravely. and ne blushed
Inone than ever tried TO speak. failed,
and left me in hurry
l wondered what had been the result
OF the party. and that afternoon went
To find out The maid left ms, in the
hall. saying she would see If her mis-
ireSs would see me I am 80 used To
making myself At home In Ioan'S hog5s.
HHrHa~ 2
and, 10 assert my old footing. I pushed
open the dining-room door. meaning TO
wait there.
The room was dim. but saw two fig
ures very close together. which Olsen
tangled themselves when they saw me.
and cne gave a little shrek.
Miss Maehin,~ I cried. Il beg your
pardon-" and IN confusion ! r,-tir,-i 10
the hall l had seen that the second
figure was Simmons. Does Joan
know" I wondered. Before could
satisfy myself I heard the drawing
room door slammed and a man rushed
down stairs II YVES Stamford. looking
very cross He did not -. me till 4
Ventured TO speak 70 him. then he
glared. mut1ered something. seized hiS
hat and left the house.
Went slowly upstairs and into tbs.
dTawing-ruum- Joan was standing bv
the mantel-piece with her handkerchief
III her hand She was CRYING and gave
little jump when SIS. heard me
20, j. t. you- Jimc WHY did you
come up2 ! can't see anyone
I'm no one" said l. What's the
matter2"
Nothing she said.
''NonSenSe.' ! said. with severity.
Come, tell me all about it, as you used
to-do " hen your dolls were broken" l
| pushed a chair towards her and she
J sank into IL with a sob.
I've been such a fool,~ she said. Il
! cIn never respect myself again,"
is II aS bad as thaj2~ said l.
Worse You We're right when YOU
said matchmaking was dangerous. Il
| is. horribly"
'.Ah, you've burnt your fingers?-'
And for no purpose. Biddy and
| Ralph simmons
Il know" 1 said. They are in the
drawing-room; | disturbed them But
surely Stamford does not blame YOU -
'Of course he does she dabbed her
eyes He thought-he didn't under
| stand-he imagined-men are 50 vain
! She stopped short
What did he imagine - asked
THAT it was for my own sake" she
faltered.
Good gracious I cried, '-and you
have Just undeceived him.
1T WAS dreadful Jim. He thought !
cared for him. as he did for me, and
| when he found out IL was a mistake he
WAS awfully upset. He said I'd made .
fool of him and that he would leave
England and go away" and the poor
| little woman broke down.
let her sob a few minutes then !
said: WAS II a mistake2 DO YOU want
him TO stay in England? >"
Il don't want Ia drive him away she
sobbed.
That is not what I mean said; do
you love him after all?"
She hesitat.ad That's a horrid thing
to ask" she said
Never mind l said, sternly; If YOU
don't love him"
But l do, that's the awful part of
| it, she cried. I've only Just found IL
out. and how could | tell him did when
he took IL for granted I'd been running
after him2 had to let him think it was
mistake or deSpise myself all my life,
You're in a mess, joan said l.
shall tell him2"
Not a word" she cried
just then l caught sight of pair Of
mems gloves on Il chair Are those his
gloves?'' said, pointing To them
"Oh, yes.'' she cried. catching them
up.
They are a good pair; ne viii he sorry
TO lose tbem.'' / said. Suppose You
write, and tell him they are here, and
suggest he should fetch theme
Jim, you're an angel" she cried.
! Mrs Stamford has abandoned match
making=St- Paul's-