The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-05

| I'm whisper, which, however, 1 heare
| distinctly. Emily started. and gave hin
| look calculated 10 wither an ordinary
man. But the curate only smiled at her
/ There was an air OF possession about
| him. he might have been Emily's accept
ed lover shuddered to think what must
| be I'm store for him when Emily had him
| alone.
| That Miss Fenton grasped the situation
| was apparent. for she promptly turned
| the conversation TO safer topics. She
rose and looked out of the window
Tho rain will make the roads bad for
cycling she said But then you disap-
prove OF that exercise. 1 believe. Mr..
Fraser?'
For women. yes. The advent OF the
cycle has revoutionized the world. When
a woman first mounts a bicycle she falls
from her high estate"
Yes" said l. She does bit OF
falling about that time"
The Rev. Wilfred glared ut me. Emily
said
You mustn't mind my brother. Mr..
Fraser"
Certainly, did not want minding.
was not Sunday school.
The glare faded at the sound OF Emily's
voice (though / fancied the fire was still
smouldering). and he continued:
she has turned her spinning wheel into
a bicycle"-I involuntarily closed my
eyes: IL was so like a sermon--"and ad-
mits mans superiority by initiating him
II love cycling" said Emily. sharply.
woke up again.
"oh-well--yes-of course-it must be
very nice" stammered the unfortunate
young man.
THAT punctured his tire" whispered
Miss Fenton to me.
he u fn ha vaf a
times. However, paid little heed TO her
remark. for the curate had said, softly,
10 Emily:
"welI have a tandem.'
Why did he talk like this? Why was
his hand resting on the arm of Emily's
chair? What the dew. A knock at the
door interrupted my Thoughts, and the
footman brought I'm letter.
For you. my lady" he said. holding 1t
before Emily. "It ought TO have come
this morning, only the postman had a tit.
and couldn't perform his duties, my
lady"
Emily craved our indulgence. and open
ed the letter. noticed the curate glance
at IL as IL lay on the salver, then turn
scarlet and fdget in his chair. Before
Emily could have read twenty words she
was I'm the same state OF agitation, and
for the first time in my life | saw her
lose her self-possession and look thor
oughly uncomfortable.
They're stark. staring mad-both of
them" 1 conhded to Miss Fenton. She
made no reply. Then suddenly the Rev.
wilfred Jumped up and held out his hand
10 me.
rs must be going" he said II have
some calls To make in the parish"
He shook hands with me, then with
Miss Fenton: Emily held out hers, stead
lily looking into the fire. He took Ii as
though IL were red hot. Then-I can use
no other word-he fed.
To our anazement, Emily rose quickly
what does 1t mean?" 1 inquired of
Miss Fenton.
She shook her head mournfully.
Trouble l am afraid" she said.
"But Emily could never think Of
''She might think" she replied, but
she'd never do H.
Cant we DO anything ?" implored-
"Of course not. They must settle IL be-
tween themselves"
There was a murmur OF voices outside
in the hall Miss Fenton and 1 stared
gloomily into the fire.
Presently l noticed that Emily I'm her
hurried departure, had left the letter
which had caused so much disturbance
on the table. / pointed il out 10 my COM
panon. She jumped up and seized 1t.
mo. no." / cried: 1T would ve most
improper"
SHE owes us some explanation. It's
been a horrid afternoon"
The tempter held IL out to me.
You're her brother" she said. insin-
uatingiy.
opened the letter and began to read.
Great Scott" / cried.
What is IL? Tell me-quickly," inter-
rupted Miss Fenton, trying to look over
my shoulder. / laid down the, letter.
1T is an offer OF the hand and heart
mot TO mention stipend of $50 a Year,
of the Rev Wifred Fraser"
''ro Emily" gasped Miss Fenton.
"To Lady Emily Massingham. He IL
now urging his suit personally I'm the hall
But still his mysterious behavior Is not
explained"
Then suddenly light burst upon Miss
Fenton.
Yes. IL is" she cried; "a letter came
for Emily from him in the middle OF the
week, which she did not open until this
morning. as she was away at Lady Hun
ter's. That was To ask her to conduct the
Sunday school She wired back at once;
Yes. Delighted
"The other letter ought TO have come
this morning" 4 broke IN, beginning to
understand.
VI course anu ne lhOubDl lDtt lld
telegram referred 10 his proposal He's
awfully conceited It serves him right"
Poor beggar." said I. 1t may not be
correct To call a curate "A beggar. hut
meant II kindly. lie had iiown To Emily
on the wings of love He was now tsk-
ing them off Al least. l hoped 10. In
spite of my sympathy.
few minutes later we heard tho front
door open and shut again. Then Emily
burst into the room.
Johnny" she said. II want to go back
20 town 40 once"
"Rut really Emily" I began.
u am going back early on Monday
morning" she interrupted. Then che
turned and left the room
Ard am sorry 20 rcla that che bang
ed The door
"He must have said horrid things" re-
marked Miss Fenton.
"Shc didn't deserve them replied.
Indignantly 1T was all 4 mistake. You
have heen constantly with them. and
must know that Emily I stopped.
Miss Fcnton was smiling.
But of course. &c was all mistake. OF
course. However. Lady Emily has dch-
niiclv decided not 30 be good any more.
And ] think Il "a just ~ well The King.