The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-09-30


leaves of the trees. succeeded in induc-
ing Maria to take walk on the veranda
"Now tell me why there is all this
surprise on the part OF you and your
family" l said, once We were out Of
hearing Of the mother, the small broth.
er, the father and the shining rival.
81 think we had cause to be surpris-
Cd" she said coldly.
"Cause?" l cried. IT received a note
from your mother ON Thursday asking
me down for Sunday. accepted"
"You declined" she said in tone
that brooked no contradiction, land SO
/ telegraphed to Dick to come down.
See what position you placed me in.
] couldn't let him know he was second
fiddle.
We had stopped walking, and she
stood facing me in the light Of win.
dow. Her glance was one of deep re-
proach. "We are always glad to have
you, as you know, but this time it IL
Just little embarrassing.
"But ! accepted" ~ maintained stout
siy.
"Your note said plainly, 4 regret
that another engagement prevents
How stupid had been from the first !
"Why, Maria" said, lit was my
fault, and until this minute It never
occurred to me. got your mothers
note ON Thursday. had an engage.
ment to meet a lawyer late this after
noon to try to settle a case am con-
cerped in. AS couldn't attend to the
business and catch the last train out
determined to try and postpone the mat
ter. So wrote two notes-one accept
ing, the other declining the invitation.
! took them both down town next day,
and as the attorney consented to my
postponing the meeting / mailed the
acceptance
"You mean you got them mixed and
sent the wrong one," she said. A half
smile lighted her face for an instant, to
give place to settled look of displeas.
ure. "And / wired to Dick Brooke
laughed quietly.
"What are you laughing atP" she.
asked.
BROOKS must be puzzled over you
having us down here together. "
She resented this inference as to our
mutual relations by turning sharply,
and, carrying herself with exaggerated
ereotness, she entered the house, with me
following crestfallen at her heels.
Brooks was puzzled--so extremely
puzzled that he hardly said word at
broa lfacf h1t xyoS n,,iot apd thouobtful
an unusual mood for him. could see
that he had an important piece of en-
cheering on hand and tried to block his
schemes, but despite my subtle moves
he succeeded in inducing Maria to take
him out to the pond and show him the
trout.
Fer a time / chafed in the library
under Mrs. Torrington s verbose recital
of the difficulties of securing funds for
certain deserving hospital, and at
length, unable to bear the restraint Ion.
ger, rather abruptly excused myself to
take stroll about the place.
My steps carried me in the direction
of the pond, down the drive, over q
stretch of lawn, through grove, till l
was halted at the sight Of two hats pro
truding over the top of bush few
yards away.
MARIA" heard Brooks say in Q
more earnest tone than l had deemed
him capable of assuming, II have wait
ed now for year for an answer. Some
times my hopes have been raised-rais-
ed only to see you shower kindness on
that fellow
whistled to the collie that had been
bounding along near by, and when Ma
ria Torrington and her companion STEP
ped hurriedly into view cried, "Hello!'
Brooks looked foolish and replied
"Hello" Then he began stirring the
dead leaves with his stick.
For a moment all of us must have
looked foolish, for as Maria, her face
crimson, stared blankly at a distant
tree top leaned over and fell to pattiDt
the shaggy dog.
The silence was broken by the girl.
She had completely recovered her COM
posure and, fixing her eyes OH me, said.
Harry, as you have doubtless heard,
Dick-Mr. Brooks-has just asked me
10 marry ulul.
asked for the tbousandth time. :"
muttered Brooks His clean shaved face
was turning red from the tip Of his chin
to where the hair divided. A man sell
dom objects to having it known that he
is attentive to woman, but to have her
blazon il forth to all the world, and to
his worst rival in particular, and in
his presence, is not so agreeable if be
occupies the position Of one rejected. !
could not hide smile at his embarrass.
ment, but my amusement was of sho1,
life.
"And you have also asked me-" Ma
ria Torrington went on with GOODNESS
that would have astounded me had l
not known her.
/ had seen her sail catboat across
the bay in the teeth of gale, one small
hand firmly grasping the tiller, the tug
ging sheet making great welts in the
other, her body leaning so far out to
windward that the spray dashed over
her repeatedly and even then she had
raugneu anG given me directions where
10, fO ha1 hao Il 4,