The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-15

| aback. II don't know that 4 Ike that
| "Oh. yes, you do" she coaxed. "And
you will help me out. The only rea-
son my family will let me see Sam at
all is because they think you and
| have an understanding"
"Oh, / see." l said. at last. IL have
been blessedly stupid"
II think you have" she said. "fou
| didn't think for min"
| Ion. no; not for minute; though. OF
| course. / might have wanted TO think
| .hat-I was conceited enough. But, Sal
lie, it's all right-we are allies"
"And friends" said she.
Brother and sister"
"All right, Bob. it's a bargain" said
shis delightful girl.
But did not think that moment how
much embarrassment the continuance
| of our understanding was TO make me
| in another direction. / did not know
| that my mother had read me Alright;
that was, although did not suspect
| II, much interested in Clarissa Hen
low.
pistol had made an understanding be-
tween Miss Henlow and me. We never
again could meet with exactly the same
reserve. even should she try to put it
up between us. think she did try TO
put ii up again and again that next
morning: but I as rcsolutely tore il
down. / actually insisted on walking
har hat n II
found means to pay her visits once or
twice a week. They were uneventful
visits--like those 1 paid on others
among my casual woman friends; but
presently saw that our friendship was
not TO be so casual. / discovered this
was the case when found that fellow
Sladding with her, who always glared
at me.
And all the time my good mother was
watching. She knew as well as what
was happening-yes. better than /.
She, indeed. confided her fears to Sal
lie. whom she fancied TO be dreadfully
in love with me--with n mothers usual
prejudice; and Sallie, being my ally,
told it all over to me. Was i, Robert
Merrivale, to throw myself away on
little nobody? But the real trouble
with me was that the little nobody
who really was a tremendously impor-
tant somebody. so far as l was con-
cerned-didn't appear TO intend to let
me do il.
One afternoon had been to board
meeting. where / was detained rather
late. j found Miss Henlow waiting for
me, paper in her lap. She seemed
rather i'll at ease, and pushed the paper
away.
please let me see it," / said. "Iwant
TO see what is said about Alaska-Pa-
cific."
But something caught my eye; there
before me was the announcement of
Sallie's and my engagement. L crum-
pied up the paper and threw it down.
"You know that about me"
at is matter of absolute indiffer-
ence to me-" she said, very sadly.
"It may be; but it happens to be en-
tirely untrue. There is, in fact, but one
woman whom / would marry"
She looked ut me steadily for a mo-
ment, and then her eyes sank under
mine.
"She is you-C1arissa Henlow-just
you"
81 mustn't come here any more" she
cried, with little sob. rs this fair
TO me. Mr.. Merrivale?"
"No, you mustn't come here any
more" / said; you are right. If you
do l shall tell you every single day
that l love you"
"You mustn't-you mustn't" e
"Why?" ;.'h },
because Of her"
"Oh. is that the only reason? I will
have Miss Pentland herself explain that
away"
"Then there are other-reasons."
Bother 'em," said /.
And L tried to take her hand, when
Jobson's voice came from the door:
"Did you call, Mr. Mer1'ivale ?"
No. l hadn't called. could have gone
for that ancient employe of the house
Of Merrivale most savagely, can as
-T-