The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-09
A CERAMIC EPISODE
By Katherine E. Maxwell.

Il
on a couch in his married sisters pretty |
sitting room.
Ned said his sister solemnly, you've
done something you're ashamed O.. Tell
me this minute what it is"
Il suppose | might as well 'fess up
Nan, and tell you all about it, for Nora is
sure to anyhow. You know I've been
awfully gone on Nora for months, but l
never was quite sure that she cared for
me. OF course she's always seemed glad
to have me over there and to go out with
me and all that, but l never could tell
whether she would be willing to let mat
tiers go any further or not, and-and''-
"You expected her to come and tell you
without being asked" put in his sister
sarcastically. Go on"
We'll" Ned continued lamely, 81 read
story the other day that put-an idea
into my head. 1t seemed such fine
scheme that made up my mind to try
it,"
ibid you find it in The Complete
Guide to Lovemaking? Nan inquired
maliciously. Her question was ignored,
and Ned went on, turning his head to es-
cape the scornful look in her eyes. II
You see, there was fellow in the
same boat with me. He was awfully
gone on girl, but didn't know whether
she was-er-gone on him, you know.
And so to find out if she was he up and
told her all of sudden that he was go
ing to be married, and it turned out that
all the time she was gone on him, and
when he sprung the news on her without
any warning she just up and tainted. OF
course he caught her in his arms. When
she came to, he told Ter he was going to
marry her IL she'd have him, and it all
ended beautifully" Ned concluded, with
"A CHASTITY grin. )
Edward Stiles Briscoe," his sister ex
claimed, do you mean - tell me that
You tried that with an intelligent girl
with brains! But go on; let ME hear to
the hitter end"
when we got back from the golf links
this afternoon Nora asked me to come in
and have cup of tea. I'd rather take
medicine. but she looks SO deucedly pretv
ty when she's concocting the stuff that
I've drank gallons of it just for the sake
of looking at her"
Mrs Stewart smiled approvingly at
this little burst of sentiment, and, thus
encouraged. Ned proceeded with his sor-
rowful tale.
I'VE went in the house. and she started
the little teakettle, going, and while She
was waiting for the water to boil she
commenced talking about Minnie Ira
ver's elopement, and there l saw my
chance and said, I'm going to be mar
ried in the SPRING"
comment .'Did she faint?" she asked
scornfully.
Faint. should say not. 1t didn't go
bit as it did in the story. Just as I fin
ished, before ever had chance to look
at her, she dropped a teacup smash on
the hearth, and then such fuss over Il
bit of china you never saw. She got
down on her knees and picked up every
tiny speck She wouldn't let me help her.
Kept saying. Don't come near; you might
step on a piece | thought she'd never
get the pieces collected. but she finally
did and brushed the hearth, and when
she stood up I'll be hanged if her eyes
weren't full of tears. and all over a silly
little cup. 1t looked like an ordinary little
affair to me. but Nora said it was u
keepsake-some fellow gave it to her.
suppose. After she tried several times
to fit the pieces together she seemed tc
remember that was there ndsaid as
cool and unconcerned as you please. oh
weren't you saying something about get
ting married? said. Yes rather weak
ly. and then she put me on the rack by
calmly congratulating me. And. Lord
the questions she asked and laughing al
the, time! Faint! Oh yes!" And Nee
gave a bitter little laugh.
His sister did not seem to be listening
to him. and instead of offering any advice
she asked:
What kind of cup was it Nora
broke?"
''Oh, don't know Ned answered i'm
patiently. I'm no judge of such things
1t looked common enough. Why, there:
one just like it, pointing to Mrs. Stew
arts tea table.
HIM" she said. with funny little
smile. She picked heecy shawl VI
from the foot of the couch and. throw
ing it over her head. started for the door
Where are you going!' Ned asked
"It's almost dinner time"
81 know, but I'm all dressed, and
want to run over to see Nora min
ute.''
'Don't breathe a word what I've said, ,
Ned pleaded but do try to find out from
Nora what l said to her. swear wa
in trance
Don't you worry, Neddy boy" his sis
ter said reassuringly. I'll fix things 70
you. How many cups of tea did yol
q drink, Ned?"
mot one Nora was so upset owe
that cup she forgot the tea and every
thing else"
Il thought so,'' Mrs. Stewart announc
ed vaguely and went out quietly. Sh
was gone but short time and burs
in the room again with smiling lip
and dancing eyes. Poor Moral" sh
said, trying to look serious. II foun
her still crying over that teacup. 70,
see she priced that cup very highly.
was gem really. We both got one TIL
same day. There was Japanese tea a
our church, and when you bought GU
Of tea you kept the cup. They wer
very valuable, you see. | don't think
care so much for mine as Nora did TO
hers. andI think it would make her fee
better il you would take mine over t
her.
II WON'T Ned began. but he glance
at his sisters face and started up, eS
claiming:
NAN, you don't mean
yes, do, You great goose" kissin
him.