Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-02-20

all.
Was it possible that Mrs Carruthers.
having despaired of me, and being
determined to make up match for
Miss Delayne, had put the captain On
| after all? If that was the case would
| thwart her at all costs, and so | made
every effort to forestall Rodgers on
all occasions.
| But the more tried to be with Miss
| Delayne the more she contrived to
keep out of my way; neither could |
| get any satisfactory explanation from
her. In fact, she could not or would
not see that she was not carrying out
her part of the agreement. Her man.
ner to me had gradually become more
reserved than it was at first; there
was not the confidence and feeling OF
| equality which l had found in the be-
| ginning, and of course, it was all
| through that confounded Rodgers. |
| began to see that the game was not
| going to come off, and the sooner |
left and ended it the better, as much
triviality was not worth the disturb.
ance of my peace of mind. According
| ly | made my preparations, and that
evening told Miss Delayne about my
| intentions
Il find that l shall have to leave to-
| morrow morning" l replied
Indeed" she replied. Il am very
sorry"
She certainly appeared most con.
cerned.
why are you sorly?" l said feel
ing my way on to sentimental ground
We'll, because you are going before
me, and am afraid that Mrs. Carruth.
ers will ask me the fatal question"
"Is that all?" l asked disappointed
ly. Il was hoping"
II see you think it is rather selfish
of me-" she interrupted but always
think epigrams are so near to-to-"
ITO what?" l asked.
ITO the truth; at least" she hesi-
tated.
We'll, you should surely not be
afraid to say it if it is the truth"
| said.
No, but then, you see, an epigram
is supposed to be oh, dear | do
not know what mean. Why, how late
it is. Suppose We join the Others"
All of which was most unsatisfac.
tory.
l was to leave in the morning soon
after breakfast, and when the hour of
departure had come round | went in
search of Miss Delayne to say good
by. Now that l was on the point OF
going | felt sorry about it; indeed, it
seemed to me that whatever pleas
ure l might derive from Mrs. Carruth.
| ers' now very problematical disap-
pointment would be more than coun.
terbalanced by the uncertainty into
which l should drift as to Miss De-
layne's future movements. For, to be
truthful, l was rather nervous about
mentioning the subject to her since
this reserve had come between us.
found her reading in the copcervatory,
the place where our plans had been
sown and where their fruits were
about to be gathered. Perhaps
she had thought l should look for her
there; certainly l was not surprised to
| see her.
Il have come to say good-by," said
awkwardly. She closed her book and
got up with a smile.
We'll, do not say good-by; rather
let it be au revoir," she said.
You do not mean that" l eX
| claimed. Il thought"
But why not? We are sure to meet
in town somewhere"
And you will let me know if Mrs.
! Carruthers says anything to you?"
asked indifferently.
Now that it was ali over the plan
seemed to have fallen to dust in its
very feebleness. What had it effected?
1t had tied me hand and foot. and |
knew, now that l was leaving her
what had it wrought for me.
"Of course | will if you care she
said I'VE have had very nice times
/ together, haven't we?"
q shall not forget them," l said "if
only YOU"
Phil, Phil, where are you?. The
carriage is here" called Mrs. Carruth-
ers as she ran into the conservatory.
"Oh, here you are; l am so sorry you
must CO."
well, good-by," SAID, taking Miss
Delayne's hand and holding it for the
benefit of Mrs. Carruthers, who was
looking curiously at us. | felt the
hand pulled but | retained it in my
grasp as Mrs. Carruthers said,-
Now Glare, now, Phil, you naughty
young people, you are not going to
keep anything from me. Come, tell
me all about it before you CO.
| still retained the hand; it was so
convenient for the denouenent.
Which of us should speak? looked at
Miss Delayne, but she gave me no en-,
couragement.
Il hope you won't mind, Mrs Car.