Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-05-13

behind her. huge cluster OF violets at
her bosom II was after 10 before she
could escape from her companion and
make her way 10 the library. Her
hand on the portiere dividing that
apartment from the morning room. she
paused.
Voices. She didn't intend TO caves
drop. OF course, 1t was unintentional-
all was said and over so quickly.
Equally Of course it was dishonorahle,
but think as a rule we are not apt to
consider questions Of honor with ex-
treme nicely when our hearts are very
sore.
I've decided to take her" Jacks
quiet voice was saying. YEARLY. ITS
the only thing can do now"
Ned spoke.
She's skittish. know. but Thy way
of consolation she may outgrow that"
Jessica groaned involuntarily. Jack
glanced toward the curtain.
We'll. drop the subject" In lower
voice: Keep il dark. Ike a good boy
don't want people to know am such
young fool as 10 be taken in by a
bag Of bones, all paint and drugs"
Jessica was plump as a partridge.
and her complexion was bloom" pat
ented by natures self. The morning
room was unlt save from the hall.
Thank goodness for that. She felt her
self growing faint and dizzy. Was that
Jack who talked so-could II be-her
Jack:
20. come now" laughed Ned, you
know you are eXaggerating. She's not
quite as bad as that
Pretty nearly" ruefully. Il don't
so much mind her skittishness-I could
break her of that. l flatter myself-but
she has terrible temper
She must not faint. Jessica told her
self frantically. o. she must not. Was
that dark thing beside her in the shad-
ow of the portiere a fauteuil. She sank
down on it heavily, weakly. exhausted
". Horror Of horrors. Ii at first sue
cumbed second TO her weight, then
moved. protested with vigorous ener-
gy. shrieked.
All faintneSs banished. JeSsica leaped
to her feet, her soft. quick cry of alarm
mingling with that mutiled roar OF
rheumatic agony.
That's aunt gasped Ned.
"Jessica"' cried Jack. He strobe
forward and flung aside the portiere.
The light from the library poured into
the shadowy morning room. 1t fell on
Jessica standing just within, very
white and trembling. and II showed on
~. lor. Nd t,Drrrn,Af,,l bNon
Of crushed drab silk and bugles. dis
ordered front" and grewsome groans
For moment they stood and stared
-speechless But Miss Murphy kept
on grooming.
What is it all about" queried Ned
bewilderedly. helping his aunt TO rise.
II" faltered Jessica, sat down ON
Miss Murphy
WHAT" cried Ned.
I'VE were eavesdropping" confessed
Miss Murphy. with yenomous candor.
and Jessica took me for footstool
and"
My darling" whispered Jack mo.
not to Miss Murphy Il thought when
heard your voice you We're hurt
Or"
JesSica famed up.
How dare you? Stand back. sir.
Here's your ring" She tugged brave
ly. but 1t fitted we'll. Il have heard in
what manner you speak of ME. No.
disgustedly, don't appear astonished!
Recall your conversation of yesterday
morning with Ned Sales"
Ned stared at being thus abruptly
referred to. Jack looked dazed. II did
not intend TO hear such another con.
versation as that which had been re-
peated to me, but did. If rm-rm."
the rose crimsoning in her cheeks,
''skittish." bringing out the hateful
word with jerk "and-and a deuced
-bad-bargain slowly. land If I've
got ter-ter-here's your ring"
She had wrenched it off at last
But Jack did not take 1t. His dumb
dismay had turned to uproarous mirth.
1t was we'll noisy polonaise was in
progress In the drawing room. He
laughed. He kept on laughing. Sud
denly the whole ludicrous misunder-
standing bursting on Ned he struck in
with a very howl of delight. and they
fell into each others arms like a couple
Of crazy boys and supported each other
and laughed.
But. recollecting Jessica standing
there Sutherland explained. between
shameful relapses into laughter: 1T
| was-a horse l thought | knew all
about horsetesh. l knew nothing. l
have to take her-the idiocy Is mine.
fondly fancied l had found Maud s.
Jim Smiley's famous nag could beat
her. l gave a thousand for her. She's
worth-and. now you understand"
For Jessica had sprung forward.
mouth and eyes three sweet, remorse-
full "O's.
blackjack. And how talked just
now" all riotous bushes. Il must
have. after all, a-a-the kind of tem-
per you said the horse had"
III risk it." laughed Jack.
Needless of Mrs. Bryants small
nephew who had entered and stood
stock still. an exclamation point of in
quisitive delight; needless of Ned. who
clung in silent, spasmodic commissions
to the portiere; needless even. this rash
young man. Of Miss Murphy. that an
cient virgin. who. rigid and frigid,
| glowered at him In an access of scan
| dalized modesty. he took his sweet
heart in his arms with good. long.
loving kiss, and thus adoringly address
| ed her:
Doubted me. did you? You-con
temptible NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. York