The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1898-07-09

consider HySell lolIuuate, ratuei.
"Oh, may I ASK"
"Of course you may. T suppos
you know what answer I got?'
"Well, no."
"Just So He laughed nervously
"But then I found out something
think %
s'What did you find out?"
elf your sister said No. is was be
cause-it wasn't because-it was be
cause-because she wants always t.
be with you, just as you are? There
Am right?''
Nab had way Of Tightening he:
lips which Prisey called shutting VI
herself all to herself" She wen
through this process now.
I'VE were talking Of buying par
rot" she said very seriously after
little pause.
"a parrot? What fot?''
ssFor our amusement and consola
ton"
Clement laughed at this idea 81
heartily that Nab began to wonder.
"Tell me, seriously" Clement said
''isn't it something to know that some
body cares for you-even if-?"
"Mr. Vanduren to see Miss Mabe
Cartwright" Jane interrupted, open
ing the door at this point in the inter
view.
"Mr. Vanduren" Nab exclaimed
not concealing her surprise.
"Oh, I-eh-I intended to tel
you," said Clement. ':He arrived il
town to-day, you know. You hadn't
heard?"
There was some embarrassment in
the meeting between this young artist
and the girl who. in the language Of
common report, had given him the
mitten" nearly two years before.
Vanduren had taken himself off to
Mexico and Central America, alleging
an irresistible longing to sketch ma.
ture in those parts.
''You quite surprised us, said Nab,
as she shook hands with the bearded
last arrival-''and very pleasantly.
When did you get back? Prisey Will
be so glad to see you again. Let me
go up and tell her you are here. y
Without perplexity it would be i'm
possible to describe Vanduren's man
ner of receiving this suggestion.
There was more than mere embarrass-
ment, there was annoyance. Some
thing seemed to have gone wrong.
Nab saw this much, but was not clear
as to what was wrong. Clement smiled
a very proper, conventional smile and
stroked his mustache. Fanduren
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.
"Well, why shouldn't T." Clement
answered. "What did L tell you TO-
day? OF course, you didn't tell me
you would be here so soon:-very first
evening, you know.
IT didn't thiuk it ~ecessary to adj
wise you of all my Iaovements be-
forehand," said Vanduren, coldly,
while he stood before the mantlepiece
critically examining an applique drap-
cry.
"That's right, Vauduren-quite
right. Now, before they come down,
let me tell you something" Van
duren turned quietly and faced the
other man. ''We have no time to
lose," Clement went on hurriedly.
"You may not know it, but you are my
god out of the machine'-that's a
classic allusion, YOU know. Ill explain
it another time. See here, I knew
well enough you'd be here tonight.
That was why L told you Twas coming.
Now you want me to get out, don't
yoa?"
For answer Vanduren only stared.
eyes, you do. Miss Prisey won't
come down."
hON tO you AuOW tuat.
"Never mind. No time now for
argument. + only want to make a
straightforward business proposition
to you. II J. get ont Of this will you
promise to propose to Miss Nab this
very night? Yes or no?"
"Well, I'll be shot" Yanduren ex-
claimed II, on 1ir1ertone
Eyes, KNOW said Clement. ''It
does seem a queer and quaint idea,
but there'll be time for explanation
later. Yes or no?'
A rustic of skirts could be heard on
the stairs.
Yes" said Vanduren. making his
decision hurriedly, as one who leaps
in the dark.
"Good for vou-for lis both" Glenn
ent whispered tc him, as the skirts
came nearer the door of the sitting
room. "And tell her to take day OF
two to think it over-not to hurry"
Tin so sorry, NJ. NandureD," =" said
Nab, opening the door. "Prisey has
headache. You are going to be here
some time, are you not. i'll 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, 'sgot
ont OF that
Next afternoon the two girls were
together in their loom. Prisey was
turning over letter that Lad come to
her through the mail.
''I think you might let me see It, .
said Nab. II let you see mine yes.
terday.;' >
Atlast, after some hesitation, Prisey,
,-;l!,o,,+ r,,aof-;no. Torlad hor sister