The Meeker herald., 1900-01-20

on. of your doing kind actions when
you We're in the humor of 1t. You can
DO them. and you shall In this instance.
You are cross this morning-you know
you are Hush! no excuse; you are
selfish and irritable and overbearing.
II were your mother. and you q lit
tie boy, should certainly put you in
. corner until you promised to be
good"
MI. Deane smiled, although he was
getting angry. Olive went on with the
utmost composure.
But as 1t is, shall only keep you
here prisoner until you have behaved,
and given me your word not to annoy
my aunt again for rent until she is able
to pay you. Then. and not until then.
VIII you receive your money. Do you
promise? Yes or NOT"
y certainly shall agree to no such
terms said Mr.. Deane. tartly.
Very we'll. sir; can wait"
Miss Mellen deposited the key in the
pocket OF her gray dress and sat down
to her copying. Had she been a man.
Mr.. Desne would probably have
knocked her down; as 1t was. she wore
an Invisible armor Of power in the very
fact that she was a fragile, slight
woman, and she knew 1t.
Miss Olive" he said. sternly, "let
~ terminate this mummery. Unlock
that door,"
MI. Deane, I will not!"
Il shall shout and alarm the neigh
borhood, then, or call a policeman"
very well, Mr.. Deane; do SO, II you
please"
She dipped Yer pen in the ink and
began on frNsh page. Matthew sat
down, puzzled and discounted, and
watched the Hong-lashed eyes and
family tinged dheek of his keeper. She
was very prettt -what pity she was
70 obstinate!
Miss Olive!t
"sir?"
1.-THE clock has just struck 49,"
II heard It"
'"I should like to go out and get some
lunch"
II am sorry that that luxury is out
Of your poweri'
But I'm contounded hungry"
"Are you?"
"And I'm not going to stand this
sort Of thing any longer"
'No?"
How provokingly nonchalant she
was. Mr.. Deane eyed the pocket of the
gray dress greedily. and walked up
and down the room pettishly.
Il have an appointment at l."
Indeed! What pity you will be I'M
able to keep it,"
He took another turn across the
room. Olive looked up with smile.
well. are you ready to promise?"
Hang it. yes! What else can l
dor
.'You promise?"
Il do. because can't help myself"
Olive drew the key from her pocket
with softened eyes.
You have made me very happy, Mr..
Deane. l dare say you think me I'M
womanly and unfeminine, but indeed
you do not know to what extremitie1
We arc driven by poverty. 0ood-morn-
ing. sir"
Mr.. Deane sailed forth with curl
Gus complication OF thoughts and emo
lions struggling through his brain. in
which gray dresses. long-lashed blue
eyes and scarlet ribbons played a
prominent part.
Did you get the money, sir?" asked
the clerk, when he walked into the Of
fee.
Mind your business, SIR" was the
tart response.
II pity her husband" thought Mr..
Deane. as he turned the papers over
on his desk. How she will henpeck
him! By the way, wonder who her
husband will bel"
The next day he called at the Widow
Clarksons to assure Miss Mellen that
he had no idea Of breaking his prom
Use. and the next but one after that he
came to tell the young lady she need
entertain NO doubt Of his integrity.
And the next week he dropped in on
them with NO particular errand to
serve as an excuse!
When shall We De married, Olive!
Next month. dearest? Do not let us
put it of later"
81 have no wishes but yours, Mat
thew"
Really. Miss Olive Mellen, to hear
that meek tone ono would suppose you
had never locked me up here and tyr
annized over me as . jailer."
Olive burst into a merry laugh.
You dear old Matthew; I give you
warning beforehand that l mean to
have my own way in everything. Do
you wish to recede from your bargain
1t is not too late yet"
No, Matthew Deane didn't: he had
a vague idea that 1t would be very
pleasant to be henpecked by Olive!