Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-06

I kp analyze. Hatred of the man who 1 had dared to do this thing and con. tempt for having been so easily trapped were both fighting for the | mastery of her mind, while both these | emotions were in turn almost numbed 1 by the sickening recollection that her hair was as she had arranged it when retiring for the night, and descended down her back in the severe sim picity of plaited pigtail- She grow hot all over with shame as she fancied that she could still feel the pressure l of the mans arms about her body, and then her hair-how can an un- fortunate girl assert herself with her hair in pigtail? The position was hideous; maidenly dignity cowed by it's own pigtail. Finally vanity won the day, as it is apt to do with men and women alike. Being carried, aft CT all, was not so very dreadful, in i -rather-rather- We'll, at any rate, that part was not so dreadful but the pigtail?'' That thought crushed her..
 l Her mental torture was suddenly broken in upon by shouts, the noise of grinding wheels, the thunder of hoofs and the jingle of harness. The | fire engine had arrived.
 l Amy Ashton stood by Spencer's side, in the warmth of the summer night, fascinated by the scene. The ruddy glow of the fire turned the tree trunks and foliage of the avenue bright red, and lit up human faces with curious vivid beauty. The wild energy of the inexperienced amateurs l gave place to the cool, methodica1 strategy of the fully-equipped trained men. There was hardly a breath of air stirring, and the fire rapidly died down as soon as the engine got steadily at work. The color faded out of the landscape, and the threatened house stood out black against the sky. 'I must go in at once, please. MT. Spencer. It feels quite chilly now"
 Please say you will forgive me, Miss Ashton. before you go. The temptation was great"
 q don't want. to hear about the temptation. Pray, what would my ideal man say to the confession that I was imbecile enough to allow a man to carry me about without any suff- cient reason?" And Miss Ashton laughed mirthless laugh. Well, you can at any rate explain l to your ideal that the man who car ried you proposed to marry you on the same evening. Any sensible man, ideal or otherwise, will allow for an other man being bit of an idiot when he is on the verge of a pro- posal.'
 | S6Mr f1se 1,xrxx ho& r suppose I must regard as a joke, though it was in wretched taste. more especially with guest in your own house; but to carry it further is q deliberate insult.''
 Amy, darling, don't care a fig for the ideal man and his fancies; want you, seriously, myself. I have loved you since the day that you first came here. You always treat me as if I were your grandfather, but I love you as dearly as man ever loved woman" "Well, supposing that I say for l give you for daring to carry me, and that we part in a friendly"
 ''No, I will accept no compromise; will have an answer now" Ut is very unfair to keep me here in the cold; besides, think of Aunt Charlotte. Well, perhaps will then some day-when have quite forgot ten the fire and all the rest, you know. Frank, you must let me go, that was the worst part of it, because it was simply hateful trick to play on girl. Why, never knew it myself until yes- terday, when you began talking about my ideal man. Oh, Frank, had quite forgotten my hair for a moment. I'll never speak ito you again-never, if you don't let me run away at once Frank, said at once!"
 III.
 Looking at the house from the outside, Frank, you really would not think that much damage had been done.''
 'No, considering what might have been, it was very cheap entertain | ment.''
 Don't be stupid, Frank. When are the builders coming down?"
 My darling girl, that is just what wanted to consult you about. I thought that our wisest plan would be for you to marry me at once. Tho men could begin as soon as we came home from our honeymoon"
 Frank, you are horrid. I won't hear of it yet.''
 "We must have roof on before the winter sets in, but in the meantime q roof is not one of the first essentials to housekeeping.'- King.