The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-04-20

lEdeedl Where, may L ask q he
reioined In some surprise.
'In letter from friend. Do you
remember Miss Westall?''
81 believe met lady of that name
at the Lakeside several years ago. How
came she to honor me with her re-
membrance
"Oh, she had just met Mrs. Stick
ney, who would naturally remind heI
OF you."
He looked decidedly annoyed, and
made no reply. At that moment be
was informed that his room was in
readiness, and excusing himself, with
Oh ew, mentally execrating the officiou:
Miss Westall.
"Her account of me probably ex
plains Miss Trafford's expression oil
disapproval when Mrs. Lane announced
my name. Meddlesome gossip!" be
muttered.
When the guests assembled in the
parlor that evening it was discovered
that Mr.. Stickney possessed fine
baritone voice. He was pleased to
find that Miss Trafford was skilled
pianist, and musical evening fol
lowed which was pronounced sue
cess.
The next day Mr.. Stlckney and Miss
Trafford, accompanied by old Mr.,
Daniels and elderly Miss Street, wen
off for spin on their wheels. Nj
Stickney would willingly have di-
pensed with the society of his eldexy
companions, but contented himslf
with the anticipation of future ries
with the charming Miss Frafford.
In the afternoon he engaged he in
game OF cribbage, and in the eve ing
their musical programme was Jon-
tinued.
Two or three days passed plei amt
ly. MIR. Stickney had as many cypor
tunities of enjoying Miss Ira 7ord's
society as he could reasonably Expect,
but he felt vaguely that theft inter
course was unsatisfactory. ii man
ner was cordial and friendly, Nth not
trace of consciousness, and jGherein
lay the trouble. She treated him ex-
actly as she did old Mr.. DANIELS. and
he could not understand it. 1t was
quite as though he were tout of the
race" in some way. When he paid
her compliments, as he often did, for
how could he help it? she was tolerant
of them, but looked half amused, and
as If they had no meaning. And onceI
when he spoke to her with UNIVERSAL
warmth, she looked at him IN sur
prised, grave disapproval.
She gave him her society freely
enough in the crowded little parlor
but she never encouraged any tete.a.
tetes, and always included some cold
Fossils" as Mr.. Stickney mentally
them, in their bicycle
rides.
AT country places one is lax in mat
ters OF ceremony, and Miss Trafford
frequently went rowing with Mr..
Hodges, the dull young man hitherto
to, without the presence of o
third person; when Mr.. Stickney
asked her to favor him in the same
way she declined to do SO.
''But you go out alone with
Hodges" he said.
THAT is not the same thing" she
coolly answered.
why not?"
eff you do not see the distinction,
l am afraid / cannot make it clear to
you. >"
''Why you are not-you cannot be
engaged to that Mr.. Hodges |" he ex-
claimed In n startled tone.
''And If i were" she replied, cit
would be no concern of yours, Mr..
The severity of her tone silenced
him for the moment, and before he
had recovered himself she had moved
away.
He was amazed at the turn of al
fairs. That he, the aggrieved party,
to whom explanations were due, should
be treated as the offender, was indeed
a turning of the tables, and he deter
mined that the subject of the inter.
view should be continued. He simply
would not be dismissed in so insulting
a manner. Did she think he had none
of the rights or natural emotions of
II never knew q woman who could
be 30 exasperating he said to him.
self. "Nor so charming" he added
with n rueful smile.
That evening he said to her
iOh hAu HOb give me Eu6 lTue Ie0-
son OF the difference in your treatment
of Mr.. Hodges and of me. Now did
you?"
81 was not aware that 1 gave ANY
reason" she replied in her careless
way.
"Don't you think one is due me p"
''No. IL is folly to talk about such
a trife. / do not want to strain at
gnat, but out of respect to Mrs. Stick.
ney, 60 say nothing of myself, I am
unwilling 10 row with you alone"
"What in heavens name has Mrs.
Stickney to do with it? I owe her no
allegiance. Because ! was in love with
her, or thought myself so, two years
ago, as it is evident Miss Wostall has
told you, it does not follow that /
can never enjoy woman's society
again !"
'T do not understood you, Mr.
Sli3kn7. 'chevc you would never
have told me of her existence of your
own free will"
Told you OF her ] should hope
not I only wish Miss Westall never
had. have reason - -.'o Che day
va Cl,c cen vOt 60 et
Miss rraaord iOyas. -ieany hor-
rifed.
81 was in love with Mrs Sticknov