Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-06-09

ject. "Perhaps ought to consider my
self fortunate, rather
"Oh. may | ask"
''Of course YOU may. | suppose you
know what answer got;'
We'll. no.
Just So" He laughed nervously.
But then I found out sonething-l
think"
What did you find out:'
IF your sister said NO it was be
causc-it wasn't because-it was be-
cause-bccause she wants always to be
with you, just as you are? There. Am
right"
Nab had way of tightening her lips
which Prisey called shutting up her
self all to herself" She went through
this process now.
1--WE were talking of buying Il par
rot" she said very seriously, after Il
little pause.
a parrot? What for:'
"For our amusement and consola-
ton"
| Clement laughed at this idea SO heart
| lily that Nab began to wonder.
Tell me seriously" Clement said.
isn't it something to know that some
body cares for you-even if
MIR. Nanduren to see Miss Mabel
| Cartwright" Jane interrupted. opening
| the door at this point in the interview.
MIR. Nandurcn"' Nab exclaimed, not
| concealing her surprise.
"Oh, I-cr--I intended to tell you."
| said Clement. lie arrived in town to-
day. you know. You hadn't heard?"
There was some embarrassment in
| and the girl who in the language of
common report. had given him the
mittcn" nearly two years before. Van
duren had taken himself off to Mexico
and Central America. alleging an IRE
sistble longing to sketch nature in
those parts.
You quite surprised u.s." said Nab
as she shook hands with the bearded
last arrival. land very pleasantly.
When did you get back: I'risey will
he SO glad to see you again. Let me
go up and tell her you are here
Without proliXity it would be impos-
sible to describe Vanduren's manner of
receiving this suggestion. There was
more than mere embarrassment, there
was annoyance. Something seemed to
have gone wrong. Mab.saW this much.
but was not clear as to what was
wrong. Clement smiled very proper,
conventional smile and stroked his mus
tache. Nanduren mumbled something
which Nab felt perfectly at liberty to
take for assent. Accordingly Nab left
the room and the two men stood face
to face.
You seem amused. Clement" said
Vanduren, breaking the silence.
We'll, why shouldn't ~ Clement an
swered. What did tell you to-day:
OF course. you didn't tell me you would
be here so soon-very first evening. you
know"
Il didn't think 1t necessary to advise
you of all my movements beforehand"
sand Vanduren. coldly, while he stood
before the mantelpiece critically exam
ming an applique drapery.
That's right. Nanduren-quite right
Now, before they come down, let me
tell you something" Nanduren turned
quickly and faced the other man. I'VE
| have no time to lose" Clement Went on.
speaking hurriedly. You may not
know it, but you are my god out of the
machine'-thats classic allusion, you
know. III explain it another time. See
here. knew we'll enough you'd be here
tonight. That was why l told you
was coming. Now you want me to get
out. don't you:'
For answer Vanduren only stared.
Yes. you do. Miss Prisey won't come
down.
How do you know that"
Never mind. No time now for argu-
ment. l only want to make a straight
forward proposition to you. If l get
out of this will you promise to propose
to Miss Nab this very night: Yes or
nor
We'll, I'll be-shot". Nanduren eX-
claimed in an undertone.
Yes, know" said Clement. 1T does
therell be time for explanation later.
Yes or no?"
\ rustic of skirts could be heard on
the stairs.
Yes" said Nanduren. making his de-
cision hurriedly, as one who leaps in
the dark.
Good for you-for us both" Clement
whispered to him as the skirts came
nearer the door of the sitting room.
And tell her to take day or two to
think 1t over-not to hurry
I'm so sorry, Mr.. Vanduren." said
Nab, opening the door. "Prisey has a
headache. You are going to be here
some time, are you not-in the city:
That's right. She told me to say she
hopes you'll come again soon. She was
very glad to hear of your return
The rest for ten or fifteen minutes
was small talk, about travelling and art,
Mexico and volcanoes. Then Clement,
in conformity with his promise, got
out of that"
Next afternoon the two girls were to-
gether again in their room. Prisey was
turning over letter that had come to
her through the mail.
| ~ thiDly vn,, f,ierht LOT mo GOO n CO III