The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-01

you,' h0 hastened 10 add, shocked at the
words, "but II mightn't be best for you.
And don't want To have 1t on my con-
science that begged you into it. What do
you think of 1t. Miss Mary EllenS"
~ don't know what TO think Of It," she
said, scarcely opening her lips to speak.
Don't you mind about disappointing
me. What is one disappointment, more or
less, In this uncertain worlds" A short,
involuntary groap escaped him, but he
coughed and went on with elaborate cheer
fulness "And 'twont be your disap-
pointing me. It'll be all my doing, don't
you seer II you feel like you oughtn't To
break your word and all that, I'll just
give right up myself, here and now. I'm
giving you up, not you giving me up."
His face was radiant with the glory of
renunciation.
She stared down Mt the carpet and spoke
not word.
"And now, II you amt happy it won't
be any fault Of mine" He wiped his
brow and drew deep breath with an air
almost Of triumph. "That was mighty
short engagement, want itS" he added,
with an unsteady little chuckle.
He glanced about him with a sprightly
air. Speaking of crocuses," be remarked
casually, "they had a striped kind at our
house last year that was mighty pretty.
wish now I'd thought 20 get you sone
roots, but the yellow ones are mighty pret-
~ too. Did you ever sec the striped kind
Miss Mary EllenF'
81 don't remember" she said briefly
The subject so obviously failed to inter
est her that he cast around In his mind for
another. "Im glad the fruit trees have
not been blooming so early this year." he
observed. "If they hold back little lon-
ger, we'll have a good chance Of crop.
Last year certainly was bad year. You
amt feeling very well today, are you,
Miss Mary Ellenf" he inquired, with ten.
der solicitude II reckon you didn't sleep
very well last night" he suggested, wait
ing for her answer.
She did not speak.
IL WAS mighty troubled myself" he
continued. "But don't you worry about
that now. That is all over. There ain
sparrow hopping out yonder in the trees
that's any freer than you are. And as for
taking back your word''-
The muscles around her mouth worked
for a moment. ~ haven't taken back my
word, she said.
"No, Of course not. he assented cor
daily. 'Tain't your way TO take back
your word. That's the reason take the
back track In it myself" He arose and
offered her his hand.
"Well, i reckon I'd better be getting
on" His hand closed convulsiyely over
her limp fingers, and pang Of pain shot
over the thin face that betrayed his emo
tion. He looked at her wistfully. II amt
saying that amt sorry 10 couldn't be,
he said.
The household wondered at the cessa-
tion Of the visits of AUNT Mary Ellen's
beau" but no explanation was forthcom-
ing.
Where's Mr. Haskins, Mary Ellens"
her sister ventured. Don't you reckon
he's sick or something's
Mary Ellen WINGED II haven't heard
anything about his being sick" she said
She was standing ut the window look.
ing down the street. She drew back with
q little flush on her face, but with studied
deliberation. There he Is now," she said,
"but maybe he's just passing" She cast
an eye on the glass and touched her hair
with ngitated fingers. "You let him in,
Fanny Belle, she said TO her young niocc.
who regarded her In silence II ain't
quite ready"
She paused moment at the foot of the
stairs, as IL To catch her breath before sho
entered.
He was standing, looking eagerly nt the
door. They shook hands in solemn silence
Have you got real well, Miss Mary
EllenS"
~ haven't been SICK" she said.
The subject admitted Of no more dis
cussion.
Fanny Belle is getting to be mighty
pretty girl, ho began again. "Don {
these young ones grow up fast? She'll
play tho villa with tho'c young fellows
before long she's mighty like what. you
used TO he. 4"
"Ahp sho said
"How's Mrs Waggonor, Miss Mary
EllenY
Sister Mcly is very we'll, thank you"
she answered.
He pondcred for awhile in silence. Il
haven seen yon al for right long" he
observed in an oThand manner
She made no reply.
81 thou2hJ maybe somebody bad been
sick or something had been bothering
You, he suRgC, ted
She said DUlhing for "a moment. "Ev.
erybcdy's been pretty we'll" she finally
responded
lie looked mildly at her, evidently at the
end Of bis conversational resources.
She laid the hem of her handkerchief In
folds
"Spcaking OF Sister Mely," she went en-
suddenly, ." ! don't know what ia do but
for Sister Mely There's nobody 10 DO dc.
pended on like your own born relations
don't know whether you ever do get To un.
derstand people you wa NJ raised with"
"Ycs, that's so. he ussented, not with
out rerrlexity.
"Somc people arc so exctahle, " shc pro-
ccedod, THAT you never know Just whcro
TO find 'om. II Sister Mely says thing
todayt she IL stick 10 1t tomorrow.
You are nightly that way yourself, :"
he said.
She flushed over her fnce and neck.
The blood rushed 10 his own face as ho
saw the drift of her thoughts "Nob9dy's
nry strictcr about promise than you
nre, ho said in u rcassurinc manner.
You'd stand up TO it II 10 killed you--if
you want let of. "
Sho glanced at him and looked away
III don't know how you know all that.
she said