The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-06-18

Tt was a moist, unpleasant day. The rair
had begun Immediately after breakfast, and
now at IL o'clock it looked like raining til
the Crack of Doom. ] had wandered NJ
and down seeking congenial company and
finding none, and had finally cast anchor
in the billiard-room, where practieed the
spot stroke.
/ bad made break of nine, and was be-
ginning to feel more cheerful, when sud-
denly the door opened and Miss Anstruther
appeared.
"Oh," she said, as she shut the door and
stood with her hands behind her upon the
handle, " / thought it was Mr.. Mcdonald y
1T is a be,ter-and poorer-man," said
/, resting my cue on the floor. DO you
want to find Mr.. McDonald?"
"Yes-no; it doesn't matter" said Miss
Anstruther.
Perhaps you can say it to me rs well u
| / suggested. Miss Anstru,her thought a
moment or two and then shook her head.
mo; l couldn't say it to you"
1t may have been my fancy, but thought
| that Miss Anstru,her blushed.
Anyway" l said, cheerfully, IF it
doesn't matter, you can come and play bill
liards with me. I'm lonely"
| But i play very badly" said Miss An
1 4
played seriously"
We'll, this won't be serious" said, Sc
lecting light cue and chalking the tip.
"Now, all you have to do is to make your
| bail hit the red and go into a pocket, or put
the red into pocket or both"
"Ob, DEAR" said Miss Anstruther, what
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 Anslruther.
81 am never fanny said; "serious, hu-
morous, stupid-perhaps-but not funny"
Miss Anstruther aimed wildly. Her bail
went twice round the table and hit moth
ing.
How provoking!" 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 even
ing with Mr.. McDonald?"
We'll" | said 4 was talking-let me
see-to Miss Bates.n @
You found her tamusing?"
"Not amusing. Better. Pretty"
"Oh, you couldn't cali her pretty. Nice,
but -
Decidedly pretty in her way. Now-you
are playing aren't you?" / said, seeing
likely cannon.
Il beg your pardon,r said Miss Anstruther.
coldly. 3E
a mean-I'm playing with spot. BY
Jovc!" | exclaimed, as / turned away in
disgust after missing the cannon. There
lie ls.n
"Who?" asked Miss Anstruther.
IN. Il
the garden, smoking a cigar in the rain.
Shall whistle him ~
"Oh, no" said Miss Anstruther.
"Why not?n | asked, facing around
toward her. Il thought you wanted to see
him" Is a.s ..t
"Oh, there's no hurry-no immediate
hurry" said she. "He doesn't leave till this
afternoon"
81 thought it might be something import
ant" said.
1t is important said Miss Anstruther
"Oh, you are horrid, " she continued, stamp
ing her foot You know quite well what
/ shouldn't tell you, should 2"
"But you haven't told me" said, con-
solingly.
"Oh, but you can guess" said Miss An
struther, shaking her hand. "You must
have noticed-something. And I've no
right TO say anything about it,"
paused judiciously.
" 1t seems" said, after an appropriate in
terval quite suitable arrangement. Mr..
Mcdonald is very wealthy"
% Yes" said Miss Ansi ruther, refectively,
he has money. But then, so have l."
"That is where il is so suitable" / said.
But" said Miss Anstrulher, lifting her
eyebrows pathetically, he's-well -
"That is true" said. But we all have
our faults. And poverty's the worst of
them"
Il don't think So" said Miss Anstruther,
quickly.
Mrs. Anstruther thinks so,' replied.
Yes of course, you could see mamma
wanted Miss Anstruther tapped the
floor with her foot.
turned to the window and watched Mr..
Mcdonald walking up and down in the rain.
Miss Anstruther sat down upon one of the
cushioned benches which ran round the bill
liard-room.
at happened last night" she said sud-
denly, when you were -
What happened ?" l asked.
"Oh, You know"
"Your engagement"
II am not engaged
Not engaged Then what are we talk
ing about?"
You are stupid. Don't you understand? ? |
That's what | have to decide-to tell Mr.. |!
Mcdonald this mOrning-before he goes !
away. Oh, oughin't to tell you all this! /,
But you made me, you know. And think |
you might help me-"
81 would with pleasure, if / only |
knew'-
What should girl do when her mother |
wants her to-you know-and the man |
isl
Rich," / suggested.
"Yes, and-like, that" Miss Anstruther !
nodded toward the window.
It's difficult question" said; "a very |
difficult question. As you have asked me
to advise you-well-d you love him?"
"Yon may put that aside" said Miss An
struther, with a sweep of her hand.
THAT simplifies matters" l said. "Then
there comes the question of filal duty. You
see, parent judges in these matters with |
less-I mean with greater freedom from
personal feeling"
But" objected Miss Anstruther, {" it is a
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