The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-06-10


answered, you make yourself per
feet worry and torment TO me. j am
sure l would like you much better If
you would throw of that sorry look
and let me have a little peace. You
positively spoil all my pleasure"
And / put my handkerchief to my
face. and with infinite difficulty,
squeezed a tear from my left eyeid.
was more inclined TO laugh when |
saw the woebegone expression Oh the
frank, honest face before me.
knew that Of all things Chris most
feared making me unhappy; for that
very reason. ! suppose, ] employed
Che dangerous talent all women possess
of making man feel that he has been
cruel and inconsiderate.
Chris sat down beside me. and taking
my hand, said. with a voice which love.
allied 10 natural courtesy, made more
gentle and tender than any woman's:
Alice dear, forgive me if ! spoke
hastily 10 you. ! trust you most fully.
knowing how good and true to me you
are, and I never doubt you for one in
stant. So Wen say no more about him,
my love"
And he advanced his face to give me
the kiss which usually sealed the recon
ciliation of our little quarrcIs
But ! was not satisfied with my tri-
umph. liked TO hector II a little over
my lover; moreover. felt that / was
in the wrong, which of course. made
me spiteful. SO / turned away my
face, and replied coldly
"Mr Littleton is my unclc's guest.
and could not avoid him, even If !
wished TO. He is excellent company,
and is everything that n gentleman
should be, in spite of your jealous dis.
trust Of him"
Chris face flushed. but hc controlled
himself and gazcd into my eyes with n
look Of tender reproaCh
tried to return his gaze with one Of
defiance, but failed utterly. and had TO
content myself with n small-sizcd
sneer
Good morning. Miss Lyman. Good
morning Mr.. Thorp" said mellow
T.
Littleton stood before us
He was handsome tail and with
that slight stoop which gives an indie
scribable air of ccntility To some men,
as If their constant occupation is to
bow To ladies'
Your uncle and l." he added. "havc
sworn truce 10 business for the rest
OF the day, and he refers me to you
as the most accomplished person i'm the
house in the art of pastimc Your uncle
says your resources for making amusc-
mcnt are houndless: SO oblige us by
giving us the benefit of your most sage
counscls."
| was angry at myself; and so.
womanlike, | resolved TO take my re-
vengc on Chris, whose look of rcproach
haunted me. was in one OF those
moods of unhappy rccklcssncss which
up to that time | had often INDUCED,
but TO which since that day | have
never abandoned myself
l felt that | deserved much more
than the mild ccnSurc | had received.
for had neglected Chris most shame
fully; but | determined 10 deserve his
reproach still further, and If he chose
to be jealous, To give him something
20 be jealous about.
In this amiable frame of mind |
summoned all my supplcness of wit
and entered heartily into schemes ol
amusement. Mr.. Littlcton and ali
sorbed all the conversation.
Chris could converse well and nu
emily, but l purposcly chose such topic.
as he was unfamiliar with, aud gay,
the conversation n zone of tlippancl
which he disliked.
Whenever he offered n remark.
either ignored IT, or crushed it Will
some stupid sarcasm. at which Mr.
Littleton would be very much amused
Ii was evident to me that the latte
saw my purpose. and entered into IL
and l am ashamed TO say l welcome,
his alliance.
Poor Chris proposed several game
which would give him chance of see
ing me alone, but scornfully rcjcctc,
one and all without even coudcsccndinl
10 give reason.
Now, n word about the parties TO thi
little drama. My parents had die,
while ] was young leaving me to IN
care of my Kind uncle. Mr.. Headlcy
in whose rambling. old country hous
spent many happy years.
They had been wealthy, and wa
much sought after as an heiress; bu
L had grown up together with Christie
pher Thorp, neighbor's son. We ha
been lovers from an early age. and ha
been formally engaged for over n yeal
Mr. Littleton was on visit to IN
uncle as agent for n mining company
IN which the latter had large interest,
They were often closeted together. an
my uncle had a high opinion of th
visitors capacity. and understood hii
10 come from an immensely wealth
family.
Throughout all that morning trea
ed Chris Outrageously. and fiirted de-
perately with Mr.. Littleton. At dinnC
i contrived 20 give him the seat ne,
to me. and had the bitter pleasure {
seeing the white face Of my lover o,
posite to me His behavior during III
day was admirable. He never lost b
temper once. and had TO acknowlede
TO myself that he had much more {
the true gentleman about him tba
my new admirer.