The Delawarean., 1900-06-30


life had Matthew spoken to her IKE
this. Never before had she felt abash-
ed and frightened in his presence. A
swift sense Of his fidelity and her own
ingratitude rushed over her.
Matthew she faltered, and she
took a step forward. but he turned
away.
''You will pardon me if 1 leave you,"
he said formally. Il am very busy this
morning"
He held the door open for her, and
with burning cheeks she hurried out,
and no word was spoken by either as
they parted.
Poor Matthew was cut to the heart.
Certainly she tried to make amends
TO him in a thousand ways. Indeed,
her manner to him was so much gen
tier that he began to think she had
guessed his secret-that she pitied him.
Matthew lived only about half
block from the Joys, and Evelyn was
in the habit of running in and out of
his house as If it were her own. She
was very special pet of Miss Abby,
Matthew's maiden sister, who kept
house for him.
Matthew went into his study one
evening about o'clock and closed the
door, giving strict orders that he was
not to be disturbed. 1t was about Is
minutes later, just as he had settled
down for his evenings reading, when
he heard the doorbell ring, then quick
footsteps running down the hall, fol-
lowed by gentle tap at his door.
He did not say, Come in" but got
up, with some irritation, and opened
the door.
1t was Miss Idlewild in evening
dress, with frothy looking pink thing
over her head and shoulders, laughing
and out of breath.
''May come in?" she said demurely.
Matthew booked at her unsmilingly,
still holding on to the door.
"Abby is out" he said. "She has
gone with some ladies to a lecture"
"How lively for herr said Miss Idle
wild rather quickly. Apparently she
was her old self this evening.
"Did you come over here with no
wrap but that flimsy thing?" asked
Matthew, looking his very crossest.
eyes, grandmother" This was what
she called Matthew when he lectured
her.
He had hitherto borne such gibes in
patient silence, but tonight it angered
him.
81 object to your addressing me in
that manner" he said with an effort.
81 beg your pardon, Matthew" she
said, looking little frightened. "It
was only in fun"
Then he said: "You will take cold GO
ing back. l will send for a shawl"
And he rang the bell as he spoke.
I'm going to take you home now,"
he said, ''and 1 want you to wear this
Let me put it around you"
II won't have itp' she exclaimed ex-
citedly, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Now, Evelyn said Matthew grave
ly, that is childish. 1t is a winter
night. You have on an indoor dress.
You must put on a wrap. And proba-
bly, Miss Patty and Howard are uneasy
about you. Come, be reasonable"
Il will go home," said Miss Idlewild
in trembling voice, ''since you are so
anxious to be rid of me. But l will not
need either you or the shawl"
'You will nevertheless have both on
this OCCASION" said Matthew sternly.
"And l will not discuss the matter
with you any longer"
So saying, he went up to her and put
the shawl around her, whether she
would or not. In trying to evade him
she stumbled, and he caught her shawl
and all, in his arms.
Matthew always said he completely
lost his head at this moment. He for
got himself-forgot everything but that
the girl he loved was in his arms at
last!
Eve" he said desperately, holding
her close and all his pent up mans
soul breaking it's bonds. 'you know
that love your
Then he released her quickly with an
expression on his face as of one ex-
pecting the heavens to fall. But i'll
stead of falling the heavens seemed to
open their golden gates to Matthew,
for Miss Idlewild, all swathed as she
was like an Egyptian mummy, looked
up at him with wet laughing eyes.
ut took you long time to make up
your mind, Matthew" she said plain |
tively.-Buffalo News.
Charles Reade's Motto.
Il propose never to guess what