The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-03-31

P'ace thhl ne paused IN surprise; then
no pushed open the door softly and
looked in. A young girl, with her
back towards him, was standing look
ing down into the fire, aud murmur.
ing little song softly to himself.
Zone of the spooney ones, l sup.
pose," he muttered, snappishly, ns lie
| prepared to withdraw. But at that
moment she turned away from the fire
with n sigh, and he saw her face.
| with an ejaculation of astonishment
he went forward into the room, with
hands outstretched towards her.
'Gracie!"
She turned quickly and came to-
wards him with a smile aud took his
hands in her own.
''Bob-dear old Bob !" she said.
'But what in the world are YOU DO.
ing down here, Gracie?" he asked,
still staring at her blankly. "What
are you doing in my inn?"
Your innl Obi / forgot-I-"
she broke of and turned away her
head.
You're not down here alone, are
you?" he asked, anxiously.
''No-no-I-I-"
a sudden light broke in upon him,
and he dropped her hands.
"You don't mean to. say, Oracle,
that you have run away with him ?"
She turnel to him quickly and
stood there, deGantly pouting. "'Yes-
l have" she said, at last, Haven't
right to do as like? What's it 60
do with you, Bob?"
ooh nothing-nothing Mt all, " said
Bob, turning away and beginning to
whistle. "Of course it doesn't CON
Germ me-not in the least"
He walked across to the window and
stood there. drumming on the panes
and looking out across the little street.
"Bob?"
Ho did not move, but continued
softly whistling.
bob, dear ~
He turned round then and laughed
cheerily and faced her.
You're not angry, Bob?"
"Augry, Grnciel Certainly not.
Nothing to do with me, you know. By
the way, have you had anything to
eat? p
"No-that isl"
Before she could complete the SEN
tence he had dashed out of the room
and seized the astonishei William by
the collar, and had ordered him, on
penalty of an instant and painful
death. to bring call there was in the
house"
The discreet William presently an.
peared with modest collation., and
ri in utf
til he had seen the girl satisfied.
Truth to tell, that did not take long to
effect, as she was so nervous and wor-
ried that she could eat but little.
Now, where's our poetic friend.
Mr.. Mnitland-Lowe?" said Bob. sit.
ting ut the other side of the little cot
fee-room box, and looking seriously
at her.
ooh he's-he has gone mp to Lon
don-to-to get the license"
"Ah, has hep said Bob. "And left
the poor little girl down here hungry
and lonely. Are you going to get
married here, Gracie?"
'No-the next town-BabingtoD,
believe"
"What did you run away Mt all for?"
Cu 4! was 30 nuCn nicer, he
thought, than having prosaic we'd
ding in London-so much more TO-
mantle, you know, Bob"
ooh yes, lots of it." said Bob,
drily. He was silent for few min
utes, and then he suddenly asked.
care you fond of this man, Gracie?"
She looked at him us if in indignant
remOnstranco for moment, and then
lowered her eyes and began to plat M
the border of her handkerchief.
"Of course, Bob. What makes you
ask such silly question? Am / not
going to marry him?"
Bob got up, and walked again to the
window, and stood there A slight
sound behind him made him turn
round; her pretty head was down on
her hands on the table, and she was
crying softly to herself.
Bob was across the room in an in
slant.
''Now, my dear, sweet girl, " he said,
in deep distress with his hand tightly
on her shoulder, lyon really mustn't,
you know it won't do mt ell. Come,
| como, and you're crying all over the
| chicken. That's better, put your head
upon my houlder-so-and tell ITS
BODY all about it."
''You're n cross old thing" she
sobbed, "and I'm very unhappy-and
-and-you don't care-a bit-vou
know you-don't. You all turn against
mo-you know you do"
Now, Oracle, dear, that isn't fair.
Here, you've come down here with a
lovely man who writes poetry, and
wears his hair long, and everything,
and you're going to marry him
''I'm not ~ she exclaimed, still sob.
bling, and stamping her foot angrily.
what !" CALCULATED Bob, staring Mt
the back OF her head, mot going Co
marry him Why, you said that
81 know / did, know I did-butI
won't" said the wilful little beauty.
81 should rever have thought of him
at oil if it hadn't been that you neg
lectod me, Bob, and / was so very IN
happy Mt home, and I didn't know
what to do, and-oh Bob, you mustn't
let me marry him, dear
Her head sunk down on her shoulder
| and her sobs we're dying away.
''No, she sha'n't marry him" said
Bob, patting her head tender,v. go;
course she sbu'u't Wc couIdr't tt,...t.