Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-04-27

wrapped 1t and held 1t up for his In.
spection.
'Wheww he whistled. as he peered
down at IL. "A vile burn. Wait n
moment, Miss Lotlirop. will your III
get some soda for It,"
He was turning away as he spoke
but detained him.
"Oh, 1t IL nothingr' | said. II am
going to my room at once, and Will
put some vaselinc on IT, IL really
doesn't amount to anything ut ali.
Good night"
"NOnsense. 1t amounts 10 good
deal" he said. "Vaseliue's no good.
Soda Will take the fire out at once.
Wait"
| did not dare offer any further OBJ.
lection, For his tone seemed to show
some annoyance, and | thought Il un-
fair to harass him any more that night.
Therefore ! held my peace and seated
myself to await his return. But be-
fore he came my heart misgave me. |
was overborne with the thought Of the
unconyentionallty of my situation. and
/ began to attain enormous and herri,l
proportions OF indepncy In my sight.
What. ! reflected, would Madam say
at my being closeted with her son "a
married man, toob mt that hour OF the
night,
I could not bear the thought rose
hurriedly 10 nv feet and made for the
door. My decision had come too late.
however. for already | saw Dnrracott
approaching from the further end
Of the hall. | summoned AL my reso-
luton. | would be firm and decided.
II was too late for me 10 he philander-
ing down here, and no persuasion
should avail to make me remain. |
proceeded cody on my way. As we
came up with cachSother he accosted
me.
Where are you goingf' he asked.
still with that annoyed expression IN
his voice.
''To my room" I replied.
"Nonscnse! What forr'
Now, II IL n difficult thing TO explain
to man your ideas OF the unftness
Of remaining alone ana unchnperoned
with him. 1t seems to offer sugges-
tions which you fear Will make yod
appear either ridiculous or expcctant IN
his sight. hesltated
IL suppose you are tired out with all
our demands upon you" he continued
"Well. I don't wonder Just come
back moment however. II won't
take but minute to apply this soda.
and then you shall go. Really. Miss
Lothrop, / beg Of you to allow me TO
do this much for you; II Will afford us
both infinite relief"
l held out my hand.
Cant you put II on here7" asked
He shook his head.
"No; I must have some water To
moisten II with. Why. what Is the
matterf he went on. quickly and with
sudden suspicion; you are not afraid
OF me, Miss Lothrop. are your The
events Of this evening 'havc not made
you suspicious OF meT
His face had flushed hotly. nnd he
had drawn himself up little proudly
I would have gone through fiery flames
with him after that speech,
Suspicious OF your repeated. and
laughed Come. Mr.. Chester
"Ah! that's better" he. said aud we
returned to the morning room.
The place did look cosy4 and cheery
as we entered II. It's intrinsic bcasity
was considerable, and to this had been
added much cxtrnncous ldornmcnt In
the wny Of rare trophies OF foreign
travel The master OF the house hnd
evidently thought TO ameliorntc this
enforced and humdrum monotony,
which was 40 uncongenlnl TO his nat.
urc. by surrounding himself with me.
mentocs OF wider and more varied
manner OF living. The mir wns Just
touched with TINT nrbmn Of good to-
bacco which In wont To prcvadd the
atmosphere OF most bachelors qunrt-
ers, and which. to my nostrils nt least.
IL Il comfortable and delicious fra
grnncc; and the fire on the henrth-my
fire was lcaping nnd cracking nc.
cording 10 my fondcst wishes I'll,
little mcnl. spread tcnnptingly upon the
table. added the final touch to II very
attractive picture Of still-lfe.
Darracott conducted me 10 n position
where the rnys from nm cXuulsltcly-
shaded bronze reading limp would fnlI
upon my hand. and. nddiuR n little
winter to the sOdn he had brought,
mixed II paste with which he contcd
the scalded spot. Then ! offered him
my handkerchief to wrap round II.
but he refused TO nvnil himself Of IT,
at is too bad To press NIL your ward
robe into dispcnsnry use" hc snld
WHIT moment"
lie went to cabinet ana after y
brief search returned with squire OF
such linen as had hitherto but drcnmi
Of This wns bordcrcd with lncc TINT
fnlrics might have woven from cob
webs The hue Of both lace and linen
was Of that mellow richness that only
IL obtninablc from the palette of time.
what II thatY" ] exclaimed with
batcd breath. for I have n reverence"
for all exquisite things
~ chalicc veil"
what are you going 10 do with IT.
Bind II upon u wound gained In my
service"
Withdrew my hand before he could
fulfil his intention.
"You shnll not II In n dcsccration
n folly
"Not nenrly so trcat n one M the
staunchlnR Of those other wounds with
your handkerchief. Yourhnud. please"
"NonsrnHcH' | crL'd. II viii not per
init II. ! will not 8 How you to soil 10
precious thing by such servicel'