The age-herald., 1898-04-10

I Then the major broke out afresh, "But what circumstances? Euphrosyne looked prettily confused but | did not answer. The major looked back over his shoulder to see how far behind MT. | and Mrs. Exton were Then, after a pause suitably long, Euph- | rosyne said softly, "Oh, perhaps you'd bet | ter ask mamma that" The major certainly admired Euphrosyne Exton, but his admiration had as certain | ly, not yet reached the stage where he was | prepared to hear that significant phrase Ask mamma" As a man of property, who l could not dispose of his hand and heart without also disposing of a. considerable | quantity Of wealth. he felt it his duty to be cautious.
 He thought all the rest of the way to l the gate of the Exton home, and then he made up his mind to go into the house with the family Once inside, he seemed to nave nothing in particular to say to anyone, except an occasional "Yes, ma'am," "quite SOL and "ahemp Eupnrosyne ran upstairs as soon as she could. Her parents ran upstairs as soon as she could. Her parents seemed uncer- tam which of them ought to get out of the room and leave the other to face the major alone. Mrs. Exton was radient and expectant; MT. Exton was secretly per- plexed. The conversation we about tie weather, business, the ,'rmon, the crops, and coinage, for some fifteen minutes. At the end of that lime MT. Exton tardily comprehending his wfe's frowns at him and her pressing invitation to the major to stay to dinner devised d clumsy prevartca- tion to account for l.is retreat, and got out of the room
 Mrs. .Exton," said the major, "Ma'am. Ahem!"
 "Yes, major." said Mrs. Exton, examin- ing her rings.
 T was going to say" said the major; what hear-aheml-of certain circum- stances-are uncalled for at this-this june ture. I'm afraid I must say good day, ma am'
 After which long speech-for him-the major bowed and left the house without delay.
 And presently Euphrosyne came down stairs and said, in a tone of serious disap- pointment, "Why, where's Major Jackson? l thought you were going to make him stay to dinner, manma?"
 Did he say anything to you Euphro- syne?' Mrs. Exhon asked, looking at her daughter inquis5tively.
 Not much, mamma. But, you know, mamma, he never does say much to any body"
 Mrs. Exton looked out of the window and then went upstairs to take off her bonnet.
 Major Jackson had been fin the habit of coming ito that house at least once week flor little music" explaining fre- 4uSihtly diiu cdutIuhy UDdL EupnTOSYne'S s singing pleased him. All that week he was content to go without any "little music"
 But on the Friday following that Sun day Euphrosyne had note-by messenger from Mortie Trumbull, saying, 'If I come this evening will you shout out, Not at home' from the second floor landing? M. T. Please answer"
 She took a sheet of notepaper and wrote, "No. E. E." gave 1t to the messenger, closed the aoSi, 2ild did her TeTpsichorean GA -Iclse as before, left and right.
 Mortie Trumbull had been thinking all the week and had wondered why Major Jackson walked home from church with Miss Exiton, also why he himself never enjoyed that privilege, also why he should not His thoughts about this matter, conn bined with contain new views of Euphro- syne's personal charTns-of which views he had not been quite consciuS before-fer- mented and worked Next, he saw a delib- crate dsign of tn elder Extons to thwart the course of his-What?Why, true love, of course. And that was the evolution of it.
 But Major Jackson did without his "httie music" for another week. And Mortie Trumbull came back that week-twice.
 third week passed, and the Major neither came to call nor accepted Mrs Extons brcaI hint to walk home with them after church on Sunday On the fourth Sunday the Major was not at church at all.
 After that Euphrosyne went and sat by her mother and sighed.
 What is the matter, daughter?" her mother asked.
 Mamma, I'm afraid I shall be an old maid after all"
 You, dear? What do you mean? "Everybody seems to have given me up. And my birthday comes in three weeks" Everybody, Euphrosyne? Doesn't that young Trumbun come here three times week?"
 "Yes but he's only an obstacle-and a donkey? Shall I tell him not to come so often, mammal"
 Mrs. Exton loked thoughtful and, after some moments shook her head "No," she said. "TIe seems a good sort of young fellow. They say he's getting on Why do you call him a donkey?" "Oh, he's all very well in a way" Eu- phrosyne answered indifferently. She was standing in the parlor that very night with Mortie, he holding her hand in hds. She baid her other hand on his shoul- der and said, "Mortie, I must confess one thing to you; called you a 'snipe behind your back Do you mind? And I called you an obstacle and a donkey. Do your for give me?'
 He said he did. When MT. and Mrs. Exton talked over the matter, Mrs. Exton said, "I suppose it's as we'll as Euphrosyne can do. I don't know what took possession of Major Jack son. Young men don't grow on bushes nowadays, and Eupbrosyne isn't getting any younger. But don't understand" And just at that moment Euphrosyne, in her own chamber changed from tiptoe on the right foot to tiptoe on the left, and whirled round a second time. Then she went again to the neat little telephone box and communicated with her friend Alix. That was her way.