The Winslow mail., 1897-06-26
A TERRIBLE TEMPER



Of lesser quantity, and think" with
smile charmingly confidential, "it is
something the same way with gossip
don't you?"
1t was Miss Murphy's turn to gasp.
Such girl! But then one never could
understand Jessica Ray. Miss Murphy
thought it was time to so. With the
cessation Of conversation concerning
personal affairs her interest died a nat
ural death. She was averse to wading
In foreign waters. The inodorous pool
scummed over with village scandal suf-
feed her. She feared aught else.
"Good-by, my DEAR" with a bewil-
dered shake Of the tinseled bonnet. 81
am so sorry had to tell you. Life is
full of unpleasant duties. l never like
to Interfere in other peoples affairs
Charity l always say; charity and
silence If there Is anything 1 partic-
ularly detest it is talebearing. Well,
as l said l must be going. Good-by,
my dear. Pm so glad you don't mind" !"
"GOod-by," cordially.
"We all thought" pausing at the door
for parting thrust, ''that it was to be
not only a marriage de convenance,
but genuine love affair on both Sides"
Indeed" said Jessica, brightly arch
ing her pretty brows.
And then at last the door closed on
her visitors broad, black-silk back. The
blitheness born Of bravado died out Of
little Miss Rays face She went slow
ly back to the rose-beribboned rocker
and sat down therein for a good, heart
sick, discontented, mortified, miserable
cry. When she had been very, very
young and charming, and Jack Suther-
land an awkward lad of 10, their faith
ers had planned a marriage in the fu-
ture. The planning stood, by the way,
upon an agreeably substantial basis,
looking at the affair from a financial
point Of view.
Soon after Jacks father had died and
Jack had gone to live with his mothers
relatives in England. He carried with
him the memory Of a pair Of sweet
eyes, for all the world like big, blue,
dewwet forget-me-nots, for wee Jes-
slca had parted from her playmate with
a particularly tender and protesting
farewell. Twelve years passed. Meth
er chafed-as in novelistic traditions
bound-against the paternal decision of
their childhood. No fair English maid
en- displaced his first love in Jacks
loyal heart. AS for Jessica, she had
grown to think of Jack as q hero who
was coming across the sea to claim her.
When she anticipated that coming be-
fore her minds eye forth pranced a
snowy charger bearing a plumed
knight.
One day, just two weeks ago it was,
she went down to the drawing-room In
response to the servants announce
ment A gentleman standing in the
window turned at her entrance. He
came swiftly forward, both hands ex-
tended, his face Frightening with gay
admiration.
''It is-it is little Jessicav
She knew him then. Without cur
veted no splendid steed. By his side
swung no jeweled scabbard. Around
llo AONh oN olLS hO AlioAOOAlh IOni
his shoulder fell no cloak Of ruby vel
vet. Not stalwart statured was he, nor
raven haired, nor flashing eyed. Not
the grand creation Of her girlhood's
sweet foolish dreams, in truth, his riv-
ais would have said, very ordinary
young man. But he had come! Jessica's s
heart gave great throb. A true wom-
an, though, ego, an arch-hypocrite, she
put her hand in his with an air Of cool
surprise, a touch Of wellbred reproof
in her greeting.
"And you are-Mr. Sutherlandw
Neither had in any way suggested the
odd relation in which they tacitly stood
to each other Both felt the chain that
bound them, for all its massive golden
links a very frail and brittle one IN the
passionate strength of youthful i'm
pulse. Neither would be slow to fling
it off If the bandage proved oppressive,
However, it did not The childish, ig-
norant, romantic affection which had
been smoldering in their hearts since
the sorrowful parting of the playmates,
at word, a touch a look, blazed up
into pure and strong and steady
flame. OF his courtship Jack Suther-
land made short work Putting aside
the understanding between their faith
ers like the man he was he wooed her
for her own sweet sake.
Just two nights ago he had told her
in his own direct fashion how dearly
he loved her And JpSSica-Wel last
evening had come the sapphire ring
that-only last evening and to-day this.
If Miss Murphy's neat little she'll
had not brought death 1t had caused
pain akin to It,
It's the money! moaned Jessica.
ITS the horrid detestable money he
wants. 1t isn't mew And then face
with clear brown eyes and a kind.
grave smile arose before her and she
broke down crying afresh.
But after awhile she sprang up, rub
bing two very small resolute fists In
two very pink eyes. Il won't sec him
tonight And I'll be in the library at
10. And I'll hear what else he has to
no, l won't! 1 won't eavesdrop. But
I'll look my very lovehest-I will
willv'
And she did.
AS she came up the parlors at Mrs.
Bryants ''sman and early" Miss Muir
phy-always first on the field-looked
at her in amazement. Quite beWitch-
ing vision little Miss Ray tonight. r'ASe-