The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-19
TWO ON A BALCONY.

cupleu u camp booul opposlte Hef, lneI
she let her eyes wander on to the contem
plation of the fresh, green trees in tn,
square and the top of coachman's hat
which she could just see whisking pas
through the ratings of the balustrade.
Haven't you really anything to tel
me, Johnp" she asked, suppressing I
yawn. "How uninteresting Of you'll
GAS it happens, came on purpose tt
tell you something" he replied, with dig
nifty "only I've never had chance yet
as it anything I've heard before2" sh,
inquired suspiciously.
mo. Something quite new. I dinet
with my uncle Richard last night and hi
gave me some advice"
"How generous Shall you take it?'
"'Needs must, you know" he quoted
gloomily.
Tho implied comparison is scarcely fiat
tering to your uncle Richard"
Perhaps not, but you don't know the
provOcation."
suppose you tell me thenP' she sug
gcsted.
He says" complied John, with con
tinued gloom, that l have idled long
enough and that had better get yacht
or wife at once"
She curled her lip
How boorish of him not to put the wife
frstr
He is u 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.
viso the yacht"
John looked interested
"WhyF Don't you think married life
would suit meS"
He caught Il CLEAN between her lashes.
Il was not thinking of you, she said,
and he relapsed into dignifled silence
which lasted several seconds.
She resumed suddenly:
Ibid your uncle mention any names in
connection with your MARRIAGE
He did, " admitted John, with unabat.
ed dignity.
ANY one know"
eyes. "
"Who?"
Miss Manners. The announcement
was made carelessly.
Victoria Manncrs!"
"A wave ol restored ROuu DuInOf SWepU
over the young mans face.
Eyes, Victoria Manners. I told him l
didn't like the color of her hair. But he
said it was u frivolous objection and that
might persuade her to alter it.
"What good idea Just like painting
house. Which color shall you chooseS"
81 hardly know" he replied doubtfully
II thought perhaps you
She assumed less comfortable but moro
obscrvant attitude.
John, you surely didn't Fay that
"No, 10. 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 him
for some big game shooting. We start at
the Ind of the week. So''-with great
assumption Of cheerfulness-"u unless you
are likely to be at homo tomorrow or
Thursday l must say goodby now"
Let me STE. Tomorrow the Heriots are
taking me to Richmond on their coach,
and the next day l am going to Maiden
head for the week end "
He STOPPED for his hat and stick.
"Wcll, then, SUPPOSE
"Oh, nonscnse!' she said, waving u
slim, white band. you needn't go yet.
1ou haNetwo whole days for your packing
Btsidcs, | hear the rattle Of teaspoons. So
sit down again"
He dropped his hat and stick and re-
sumtd his seat upon the camp stool, after
previously cdging it an inch or two nearer
the wicker lounge. Her eyes had tinge
of sadness in them, he thought.
Are there any pracnCks' feathers in
Africa2' she asked presently, with the
suspicion Of u sigh.
"PeacuCkS:" he answered ahstractedly.
"No, don think so--at least not in the
part where we arc going. Any amount of
ostriches. DO you want Il feather for your
hutY'
Il said pcaCOckS," she said, with thinly
yeil,d scorn. "And | don't want "A fcath-
or for my hat. y
But aren't they unlucky2 You're gen
orally pretty strong on that sort Of thing"
Yes, Of course they re unlucky," she
said, with feeling of compassion for his
d'nscncss "Ihat's just why want them
TO see if | can get all my bad luck over
at once
Bed luck?" he echoed wonderngly.
81 always considered You one Of the very
ltltkl'Sl girls IN F.hglahd''
Sh" looked tragic things at the awning.
"Bwausc you don't know fettcr Do you
sup use | like to think that almost my
best friend is going away to lie killed by
elephants and tigers, and eaten by mos
quItocs, and bitten by snakes, and-and
die Of fever"
Poor chap" exclaimed John in awe
and Sympathy. Then IL light broke upon
him. ooh, Eay do you mean lne?"
She kept her eyes obstinately fixed upon
tn" red stripe in the awning.
"Of course ! do, and you don't care IA
Bit You just sit and grin. Who is TO take
mech, experimentation you are gomez"
"Why," he said in ama2cmcnt at this
sudden humility, "half London, if you
want it-or Charlie Hcrot.
She turned her head and looked at him.
A PAUSE Cnsued during which three
hansom cabs and Il milk cart drew up and
expressed to one another their sympathy
and interest. li,ryuCe had II stilicd sound
when next She 81 okr.
ooh, John, do 90 back to the camp stool.
! can hear the teaspoons just outside the
door"
who carcs:" he cried joyously.
Co., size assured MN, pointing 10 his
vacant &ut. "B' aidC- what would your
uncle Richard say Is this following his
advice"
'Ncs," exclaimed John triumphantly,
'it is, His last words to mo yesterday
evening were that you wouldn't refuse me
20 often if | wasn't II fool; that he had no
further use tor ne, and that l might mar
ry Victoria Manners and go to tho
'Ica is served, if you please, miss,
laid the ioOtnan from tie window. - Mag
net Magazine,
A Fatal Defect.
81 understand, Rnstus, that your daugh
ter is quite II singer"
L i. L L