The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-02-14

are not, Guy, Tor you are alWhyS--
She clasped her guardians hand and
was silent.
"For shame, Edgerton" protested
Farnsworth, putting his arm protect
ingly about her shoulders. "For shame
TO urge such matters upon this child.
Give the little thing her girlhood, can't
your She Is so young mere school
girl yet, a very infant"
"a mere coquette, very deceiver"
cried her lover, hotly. "Why does she
accept my escort, and wear the gowns
! admire. and keep my roses and allow
me TO kiss her hands? She very well
knows what such things mean To
man; she Is old enough for thatl And
why does she look at me so-why will
she look so, IL she does not mean
"Be silent. sirw commanded his
brother with stern emphasis, trying at
the same time 10 soothe the weeping
Mlgnon. Remember / am absolute
master Of you both for some time to
individual schools the year through If
! hear another word about this marry
ing nonsense There. there, my child,'
taking his own handkerchief and wip
ing away the girls tears, "he Will keep
his place from now. / promise you.
He Is just your big brother, as am |,
and he will continue to he until you
wish him to become something nearer.
Henceforward you have two brothers
who will take care OF you and be kind
TO you. Go TO your room now, and TO
sleep, for It is late. Wait, Edgerton,
III have further word with you"
After his "word" with his brother
Farnsworth went to his library, lighted
cigar and flung himself down upon
n dlvnn.
How lovely she was, and how tempt
Ing! Unconsclously so, doubtless, but
tempting for all that. In his mans
heart he could not censure the boy,
considering the close companionship
Of the two all the long summer, and
the charming innate cOquetry of the
girls acts and glanccs, OF course, but
construed 10y his brother into inten-
tlonal encouragement. Yet he, the
guardian, felt unreasoningly angry
with both, though neither was to
blame-certainly not the boy.
He sprang from the divan and began
hurriedly TO walk the floor. A shaded
lamp burned dimly on his open desk,
and this was why, even in his walk.
he did not nj once discover the small
figure in the depth Of his great chair
before the open window. When he did
see her ne thought her asleep, and tip
toeing softly his desk. sat with shaded
eyes and suspended breath gazing at
the picture she made framed in the
dark plush of the chair.
Why had she not gone to her room,
as he had hidden her. instead of com
ing here? Had she come to escape
Guys opportunities? Did she not
know that the boy had gone to the city,
gone IN a frenzy Of rebellion against
him, Farnsworth?
Suddenly she turned toward him,
rested her chin upon her arms, and
lifted her glance TO some point beyond
him. Her eyes shone like stars, her
little curved mouth was red as wine.
She looked for all the world like one
OF Raphacrs cherubs, dimpled and
winged and innocent.
Farnsworth picked up his pen and
began writing rapidly. AS he sat thus,
his pen daShng along with aimlesS
haste. he could feel his pulses quicken
warmly from the sense of her pres
ence. and the rigorous resolutions TO
which he had clung during the long va
cation began To fall away. HIS steady
hold upon himself threatened to fail
him.
IL occurred To him. however. that he
could not sit thus all night. He laid
aside his cigar strode over to the win
dow and stood looking down at Mig
non.
Did you know that he is gomez" he
asked.
"YeS. monsieur" she answered. dc
murely, and without taking her eyes
from the point beyond his desk.
And that even though he were here
he would not annoy youy'
Then why are you--"
She nestled down In the chair in n
kittenish fashion. interrupting with n
little Coaxiug note I'm her voice
Let me stay. Ernest, while you
write. IL want tor
Farnsworth gasped She had never
before called him by his given name.
I'm ,he interests Of future discipline II
would never do to permit such libcr-
ties with him. the iron hearted soldier,
master OF Farnsworth Hail. her APP
pointed guardan-it would never do!
You are wayward girl" he oh
served coldly. IL have &c. your would
be suitor n severe penance. and now
] mean to punish you for diSobeying
my explicit order. am accustomed
to unquestioned obedience"
One swift uplft OF the sweet eyes
before they oyerfowed and were hid
den. but that instant had been long
enough FOR him to read-whatg The
pen-shaft splintered in his nervous
grasp. and his brothers words kept
beating upon his brain:
why does she look at me so? Why
will she look SO IL she does not mean
-"
All. but there were no "ifs' in the
Farnsworth lexicon! lie and his broth.