The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-02-10

party Travelled by train to Surbition and
there took boat 1t was a lovely day, and
all Of them enjoyed the outing immense
ly-all, that is, except Thomas Tanker
Vile And the reason why he failed to
enjoy himself was that his little plan in
regard to Ermyntrude Siggers did not ap-
pear to progress at all as he had expected.
Sid Abbot, indeed, at the outset was fair
ly attentive to that damsel But the dam
sci was so intent on burking any chance of
love making between Tommie and Mabel
that she paid but slight attention to Mr..
Abbot's conversation. For some time Sid
persisted, for Tommie's sake, in the most
praiseworthy manner But at length he
he became obviously nettled by Miss Sig
gers Indifference, and turned his hand
some eyes upon the other ladies. This
was the beginning IF sorrows Those
eyes, in roaming round, rested upon Ma.
bel Merridew. Mabel met them for an
instant, then fell demurely. Jealous Tom
mie noticed it. He also noticed that Mr.
Abbot, the hero of hundred affairs,
smirked to himself and stroked his whis-
kers, as if he had detected the prelimina-
ries of encouragement to Miss Merridew s
manner of dropping her eyes. In few
minutes their eyes met again. And again.
Mr.. Abbot was seen by Tommie to smirk
and stroke his whiskers
His thoughts, translated into language,
might probably have run thus:
eff yours trooly hasn't made an i'm
preston there, he'll eat his strawyard. y
By and by-they had now landed for
tea-he happened to find himself next to
Miss Merridew As politeness demanded
he began to converse with her. Soon they
were quite absorbed in one another's in
teresting remarks There was little in
these remarks, to be sure. But on such
occasions the matter is nothing; everything
depends on the manner. And there was
no denying that Sidney Abbot's manner
was amatory, and that Mabel Merridew' $
was-well, not discouraging.
''Look at that sneaking cat of Miss
Merridew,'' said Miss Siggers, to Miss
Tomlinson. ''She's been mixing optics at
Mr.. Abbot all dy, and couldn't be salts
till she'd got him over there to flirt with -
"She yn't got no proper pride, - and
swered Miss Tomlinson, with spitefnl
glance at Mabel Merridew. ''NIikes er-
self cheap to any feller who comes along. :
eyer can see how Mr.. Abbot hites it, "
persued Miss Siggers, "ownly he's too
much the gentleman to show it. But L Il
give him the opportunity to get away from
her, pore man. Mr.. Abbot" she cried,
raising her voice in shrill expostulations,
''here's my cup a-standing empty, and
me dying for more tea What you gen
tlemen a coming to- p
''Ten thousand parsonsr' exclaimed
Sidney Abbot, springing to his feet.
"Allow me, I beg, Miss Siggers.
So Ermyntrude got him away from
Mabel, and she did not give him another
chance to return. Whether she herself
wanted him or not, that poaching cat was
not going to monopolize him. And GER
tainly his eyes had a fine expression, and
his hair was beautiful, and he smelt some
thing delicious. Besides, here was a
grand opportunity to arouse the jealousy
of Thomas Tankerville.
Thomas Tankeryille was jealous,
though not in regard to Ermyntrude Sig
gers. He had not at all liked the way in
which Abbot and Miss Merridew had con-
Quoted themselves, and he was consumed
with an appalling dread lest more might
come of their acquaintance. His dread
was palpably increased by passage Of
arms which he overheard in the shop some
days later between Miss Sigges and Miss
Merridew
s'Tork about powchers A weasel y Mt
in with yer, Miss Merridewr"
COW, Down't tork natural istory to
me, Miss Siggers," rejoined Miss Merri-
dew. ''I down't tike no interest in ami
mails
"Exceptin' in two-legged animals,
sneered Miss Siggers.
~ down't understand yer, Miss Sig
gers, retorted Miss Merridew, loftily.
'sDown't yer, ma amp Then I'll put it
to yer SO as even your intelligence carn't
file to grarsp it. Yer never heard of
certain Mr.. Sidney Abbot, perhaps p
erve heard the gentleman's mime,
admitted Miss Merridew.
tsIt WASH you l see .walkin' aht with
him larst evenin' of course? | expect it
was ownly your twin sister remarked
Miss Siggers, with an unexampled effort of
irony.
Miss Merridew colored, looking uneasily
for second in the direction of Thomas
Tankerville, who was serving customer
only few yards away. But instantly re-
covering her composure, she inquired,
apropos of nothing in particular, "What
did yer tike ter drink with yer dinner to-
dy, Miss Siggers r.
s'Give me any more of your lip, ma am,
flashed out Miss Siggers, boiling over at
the insult, 9and I'll smack yer fee for
yer.