The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-05

oOllCI LAX AC1lOWs i IA0(tGI0Q saw
agely. Just when I'd screwed up my
nerves almost to the point of putting
the question. and so settling my fate
one way or the other. here he must
come and upset everything with his
COMPOUNDED Our dance. Miss Bellinger,
I believer Deuce take the a and
his dance, too"
My gaze followed the pair as they
passed between the double row of
palms toward the ballroom. For a
moment the music swelled higher,
and mingling with it in my
ears came the silvery ripple Of Joan's
laughter. Confusion seize the clown!
he seemed to have the knack of anus
ing her, if nothing else. Then the door
OF the conservatory swung to behind
them.
/ rose from the ~settee, frowned with
eringly at a big hydrangea bloom, and
thought things not to be found in the
category of polite proverbs. From this
genial mood I was reused by the frou-
frou Of a woman's dress and a trip
ping football which caused me to glance
round quickly. Independently. But it
was merely my sister Bertha.
What amiss, Tom?" asked she
merrily. You don't look extravaganza
ly amiable tonight"
"Dop't I, indeed? Well, I feel even
less cheerful than I look"
You couldn't, Tom. DEAR Bertha
protested f1ippontly. Come now,
what is it? Anxiety abuot Aun James
health?"
'Oh, hang Aunt jane"
"Tom-Tom!" n Bertha's hands
went up in simulated horror. Your
own blood relation, too! How utterly
depraved Of you!"
AS a matter Of confession, I never
could bring myself to a due state Of
n sympathy where Aunt James
neurOtic ailments were concerned.
the poo old soul allowed herself, but
then she ever and inexorably worked
them for all they were worth. Among
other instances, whenever she felt one
of her attacks" coming on, nothing
would do but that she must have her
favorite niece to wait upon her, land
and foot, from morning till night. It
was precious hard lines on Bertha,
maybe; yet it is the penalty a girl has
to pay for being a gentler nurse than
sister.
mot Aunt janet" Bertha went on,
after a pause. Then it must be Joan.
Chat was she 1 saw jpst now with
Captain Moston, wasn't it? Have you
and she been falling out, or what?"
quite the contrary. We were get
ting on famously together until that
conceited jackanapes thrust himself
Onward and carried her off,"
why, what a you complain of in
that? I suppose he simply claimed the
waltz she had promised him. What are
parties and dances fOr?"
THE only rational use for them is to
keep people out of the way Of those who
don't want to dance. Otherwise, they're
nothing but stupid c%ircuses, in my
opinion"
tom, you're a grumpy bear-a
downright morose, irritable, surly, rude
person!-and I'm sorry uncle ever in
scarcely been twenty-four hours in the
house yet, and already you show a
temper-that-that-. There, Joan
must be an angel to have tolerated
you for five minutes"
p 1 did not feel called upon to find
fault with my classification. My quar-
rel was not with Miss Bellinger-nOr
yet with Bertha.
WELL" said I quickly, "this swash-
buckler fellow-this army bounder-
who is he. anyway"
Captain Moston is nothing more
than a gentleman" retorted Bertha,
with what she considered an air of del.
icate irony. H isn't n of your sOrt
at all, Tom
"WhOever he may be, he needs a les
son in manners" 1 rejoined holly. eth
way in which he has been hanging
round Miss Belinger ever since I've
been here is absolutely insufferable. OF
course you haven't noticed it.; you've
been up stairs with Aun Jane all the
TINA R11f T hoUp. md hU TOUof fhprQ'1
be ructiOns soon if
"Oh, now I begin to understand" in.
terposed my sister amusedly. That's
how the wind blows, is it? You're
jealous, Ton Gracious me, it's clear
you don't know Captain Moston since
you see him flirting with me. You for.
get you haven't had an opportunity Of
witnessing that yet"
II don't care twopence whom he
flirts with, so long as it isn't Miss Bel.
linger," replied I. Besides, it ism
fair to her. No mar has a right tt
monopolize any girl as he does, un1es:
to-
And how do you know Captain Mos
ton d~oesn't?'' Bertha put in hurriedly.
"Oh, I've come across the type be-
fore-the irresistible, self-complacent
professed gallant, who never
fluShlng scarlet, Bertha mp ne
foot angrily.
Il won listen to you. It's disgrace
full! He is-he is At all events,
know Joan likes him-is very fond o
him, in fact. She told me so herself
And if she had to choose between 70,
and him, I'm perfectly certain which
she would favor" Here Bertha brok,
out into another high-pitched giggle
Really, Tom, I'm almost sorry TO
Won. If Won wish to GUST CaDtaln Mos
ton I can assure you you'll have t.
' ge UP very early in the morning"
This outburst was indeed a facer TO
me; but I did not intend that my tor
ment of a sister should note it's effects
Il wish you wouldn't be so slangy
Bertha" Isaid, reprovingly. 1T show
shocking bad form in girls"
srTbonkS for tho honoft of tho av