The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-08

al llak was -NiLS ANI ntI>tAA anu htl
own. IL was utterly past her compre
hension. the MoGregor delight in hospi
tally for its own sake.
AL Walnut Creek save Mrs Talbot
came 10 the quilting early and with
itching ears. Every woman Of them
knew 80 well Mrs Winfold's knack of
gossip there was a distinct feeling that
il was a mighty pity Mr.. Topmark could
not BE some one else's brother for this
day, II no longer. Still, leaving him
cot q account. there was the matter Of
Jack Talbot and Rob McGregor. Most
unaccountably Luce Aliens tale had
got bruited about, with cancellations
that made il we'll worth hearing. By
Y this time IL was upon most hands agreed
that there bad been great scene. Nam
\ Liza had denounced Jack TO his face as
a triler, the old man had overheard and
had hidden the young one either take
the girl or leave her for good and al
ways, and Jack, who had gone there
every day, did not go there any more.
Not unnaturally the good women-they
were really very good-who sat stitch
ing away at the latest Winfield triumph
in patchwork, made up their minds as
the story was told in chorus that Jack
was innocent of anything beyond warm
friendliness and Rob guilty of deep and
desperate designs.
81 expect she counted on gittin Jack
through him bein so high toned. You
know all the Talbots are awfully high
toned" Mrs. Brazzleton, mother of So
ply Ann, said TO her next neighbor,
who nodded and said, measuring q
length of thread:
eyes, l do expect so. She's so bold,
that Rob. l never liked her.
'She is, as you may say. Eighty, but
/ reckon she'll get husband, no matter
what is said about her." Mrs. Brazzle-
ton returned, with a significant glance
in the direction Of Mrs. Winfield.
Just then Nina called from the door:
"Hush talkin, all Of you. Yonder comes
Rob McGregor.
The news was unwelcome. At least
two-thirds of the quilters indeed felt it
distinct hardship, for with Rob visi-
bly, present they would be compelled to
discuss her aside. Everybody looked at
her as she came within the door. Some
few faces were full of kindly pity. With
out exception they were those of moth
ers without daughters, either childless
or having only sons One among them,
Mrs. Carter, who ranked socially with
Mrs. Talbot, got up and kissed Rob OH
either cheek, saying, with little, visit
full smile:
Come and sit here by me, honey. 1
want somebody who is not too indus
trious for neighbor. +"
"Thanky, ma am, Aunty Carter, but
l can't. | am here just to say that l
could not possibly come" Rob said
brightly, yet clinging to the friendly
hand. She was too finely strung not TO
feel the bridling and drawing away that
had marked her entrance. 1t was not
the first time, either. So far, secure in
the strength of innocence, she had whis-
tied down the wind such hostile demon
stration, only wondering duly if its oc-
casion was Mr.. Topmark' s inthrallment
and the merry athletic madness which
possessed him. She was used to know
ing people talked about her, but unused
to quite the faces that greeted her to-
day.
Yet it was sense of this hostile at
mosphere which had brought her thus
among them. II will beard the Win
folds in the face Of all their world" she
had said, nodding to her image in tho
glass. "Pm not coward, whatever
other sins may lie at my door. I'll go
and excuse myself, then back to the
party. Jack-yes, he will be there. So
will Mr.. Topmark. pine to give him
one sharp snub right before Mrs. Win
folds face.
Now, while Mrs. Brazzleton and 9TH
ers Of her kidney stared, Rob stood
chatting gayly with Miss Winfield and
her mother. In little while she turned
to go, saying over her shoulder:
"Look for me back at early candle.
light. That's the time, isn't it, Mrs.
Winfield? And, oh, ladies all, young and
old. ! almost forgot to tell you the great
news. Lawyer Howell from Oldbridge
is at the s,ore-going TO stay week
and shoot doves-and Teddy ran so
yards up the road to tell me he would
surely be up here tonight. So you will
have another beau almost equal to Mr..
Topmark. p"
"And of course you'll captivate him,
as you do oil the rest" Miss Winfield
said, smiling amiably. Rob swept her
q laughing courtesy.
81 shall do my poor BEST" she said
"And have got half new frock to
wear-a white waist to go with my
blue skirt-the blue that made me look
always like Pawnee Indian. Not that
1 ever saw Pawnee, but fancy they
are hideous enough for anything"
"As if it mattered what you put onl'
Miss Winfield murmured. Her mother
tried to mask sniff as playful smile
and succeeded very i'll. and Rob. wicked
Rob, turned and ran away, singing
clear and gay, as though she had not
care in life
"Father an mither an n may gao mad,
But whistle, an I'll come to ye, my lad"
CHAPTER XIV.
II was thirst. not any thought Of adj
ventura that made Rob when ehe camo