The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-27
TWO ON A BALCONY.

plation of the fresh, green trees In the
square and the top Of ooachman's hat,
which she could just see whisking past
through the ratings OF the balustrade.
Haven't you really anything to tell
me, JohnY' she asked, suppressing q
yawn. "How uninteresting of you"
''As it happens, ] came on purpose II
tell you something" he replied, with dig
nifty ''only I've never had a chance yet"
''Is It anything I've heard before?" SHE
inquired suspiciously.
"No. Something quite new. dineo
with mv uncle Richard last night and b.
gave me some advice"
"How generous! Shall you take itY'
"'Needs must, you know" he quotet
gloomily.
"The implied comparison is scarcely fat
tering to your uncle Richard"
Perhaps not, but you don't know thu
provocation."
"Suppose you tell me them" she sug
gested.
''He says" complied John, with con
tinued gloom, "that ! have idled lone
enough and that had better get yacht
or wife at once" Is.
She curlcd her lip.
"How boorish of him not to put the wife
Arst!''
"He Is yachtsman and unmarried
said John.
She closed her eyes, with an air of clos
ing the subject too.
"If you may not have both, should ad
wise the yacht.
John looked interested.
"Whys Don't you think married life
would suit me?'
He caught a gleam between her lashes
81 was NOT thinking of you" she said
and he re1apsed into u dignified silence
which lasted several seconds.
She resumed suddenly:
"Did your uncle mention any names in
connection with your marriage?'
He did," admitted John, with unabat
ed dignity.
"Any one knowS"
eyes"
"Who?"
"M;ss Manners" The announcement,
was made carelessly.
"Vic-tori-a Mannersv'
A wave of restored good humor swep,
over the young mans face.
Eyes, Victoria Manners. told him
didn't like the color Of her hair. But hi
said il was q frivolous objection and thai
i might persuade her to alter it,"
What good idea! Just like painting
house Which color shall you choosef''
''I hardly know" he replied doubtfully
81 thought perhaps YOU
She assumed less comfortable but mor
observant attitude.
John, You surely didn't say that
"No, no. Certainly mott" he interrupt
ed hastily. "Of course that was only chaff
! decided TO travel instead DE Caz asked
me last month to go to Africa with hin
for some big game shooting. We start Of
the end of the week. So''-with a great
assumption of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 20,
are likely TO be at home tomorrow OF
Thursday must say gOOdby now"
LET me see. Tomorrow the Heriots m
taking me to Richmond on their coach
and the next day am going to Maiden
head for the week end"
He stopped for his hat and stick.
"Well, then, suppose
"Oh, nOnsense!' she said, waving 8
slim, white hand. "You needn't go yet
You have two whole days for your packing
Besides, hear the rattle of teaspoons. Sc
sit down again.
He dropped his hat and stick and re
sumed his seat upon the camp stool, after
previously edging it an inch or two nearer
the wicker lounge. Her eyes had tingt
of sadness in them, he thought.
Are there any peacocks' feathers ir
Africag" she asked presently, with the
suspicion of sigh.
"Peacocks:' he answered abstractedly
"No, don't think so-at least not in thu
part where we are going. Any amount Of
ostriches. Do you want a feather for yom
hat!''
Il said peacocks," she said, with thinly
veilcd scorn. And don't want a feath
er for my hat.
but aren't they unlucky: You re gen
orally pretty strong on that sort Of thing.
Yes, of course they're unlucky," she
said, with a feeling Of compassion for hi.
denseness. That's just why want then
to see if / can get all my bad luck over
at once
bad luck.' nc echoed wonderngly
81 always considered you one of the very
luckiest girls in Englandn'
She looked tragic things at tho awning
because You don't know better. DO yoL
suppose j like to think that almost my
best friend is going away to Inc killed by
elephants and tigers, and eaten by mos
quitoes, and bitten by snakes, and-anG
die of fever"
"Poor chap!' exclaimed John in awe
and sympathy. Then light broke upoL
him. ''Oh. j say, do you mean mcy'
She kept her eyes obstinately fixed upoL
the red stripe in the awning.
"Of course do, and you don't care q
bit! You just sit and grin. Who Is to tax,
me--ob, anywhcrc-when you are gomez
why" he said in anazenent at tbi.
sudden humility, "half London, IL yoL
want it--or Charlie Hcriot.'
She turned her head and looked mt him.
A pause cnsued, during which three
bonsom cabs ami a milk cart drew up and
expressed tn one another their sympathy
and interest Her voice had "a stiilcd sound
when next she spoke.
"Ob, John, do go back to the camp stool
1 can hear the teaspoons just outside the
door"
who carcs!" he cried joyously.
Il do," she assured him, pointing to his
vacant scat. Besides what would your
uncle Richard says Is this following his
adviccs'