The Irish standard., 1905-11-25

then left her abruptly and she vas
not of the fibre that soon forgot. she
cherished no malice; she was now ma
ture enough to realize that such early
experiences are inevitable and to be
laughed over later on, and yet she was
not anxious to meet Martin again. She
fancied IRON the doctors meagre de-
scription that he had grown stout, con-
sequential, and arrogant over his sue
cess in life; that he had attained to
riches and would insist on informing
every one of that fact in all manner
of ways. She hated bumptious men at
sight, and was sure he would now
prove to be one. Once he was her
girlish ideal, now he would inevitably
prove irritating. While the voluble
doctor was mingling more or less Of
! Martin-his looks, actions, speech, and
opinions-into the tale of adventure.
Angie, keen and we'll accustomed to
drawing her own conclusions now
formed an opinion of Martin, and one
| not to his credit. The doctor had liked
him-that was to be expected; they
both enjoyed wood life, and Martin
had paid all expenses, she learned
that was another reason. His return
to spend more money in Greenvale
| would rebound to the doctors credit
| (stil' more reason for admiration), and
as DIR. Sol talked on and on, Angie be-
came distrustful and more certain that
she would rather never meet this old
time admirer again.
Toward the close of the evening, DR..
Sol also INDUCED in unfortunate rail-
lcry.
Il fancy he said, that certain
plump schoolma'am here is the magnet
that is drawing Martin to Greenyale,
and if she is wise, she will meet him
halfway" Then, as Angie made no re-
| sponsc. he added: You were about the
only person here in whom he showed
much interest, Angie. He inquired how
you looked and what you were doing,
| and when | assured him you had no
beau and were most likely waiting for
him--well. if we hadn't been following
wild man, think he'd have started
oul VI luG WoOuS next DAY.
1t was only the Doctors pleasantly,
of course. but Angles eyes snapped.
Il wonder you didn't tell him l hal
kept a wedding-gown all ready for ten
years" she answered, and would cone
to the city to meet him."
"Oh, no, he wouldn't expect that; ~
continued the doctor. who never tirro
l n Siyy 7
that never met you without you NEIL
toned him in some way, and he could
pop the question with perfect safety.
| think he will. too"
"Oh, OF course" rejoined Angie, with
spirit. "all men imagine that every
woman they look at twice is ready to
. fall into their arms, especially those
who belong to the medical profession.
or all men blessed with abnormal self
esteem. commend me to tho doctor!"
| But Dr. Sol never WINGED. "I'll bet
you a wedding-hat against a box of
cigars, Angie he continued, that you
will contrive to go to church alone
the first evening he is likely to be
there; or If he calls sooner, he will find
you with best bib and tucker on"
When the callers had departed, Aun.
| Comfort addressed her with: II think.
| Angie. we'd best set to m make M
that fisgcred muslin you was calatin,
| for best this summer, n mcbbe a cou-
pie o pretty waists. If Martin Fris-
bies comm to visit the doctor, he'll!
be likely TO call. n you'll want suthin'
| cool n becomin' to wear"
HE will see me in my everyday dress.
or not at all" returned Angie, firmly.
Besides. | don't believe yet he's COM
ing. City men have no use for us
country people, We are too SLOW"
But this was only the beginning to.
Angles annoyance, for the next Sum-
day at church, Aunt Lorey, who was
deaf and talked unduly loud, waited
Tor her coming ont. =
Il hear she said, loud enough To-
be heard across the street, that your
old brau's comm back. s'pose you'll
be scttin' yer cap fer him, won't We:
hey say he's got lot O money"
And Angie felt like shifting Aunt LOrey
with her paraSOl.
IT, was fortunate. perhaps, that this
breeze OF gossip and raiIlery blew over
hcIorc Martin reached Greenvale; and
it must be recorded also, that Angie
changed her mind in one respect, and
set about making needed additions to
her wardrobe. Whether this was or
was not in any respect due to a desire
to look well in the eyes of this re-
turning hero, or solely to a fair maids
latent vanity, can be safely left to the
sneering critics OF the fair sex.
For one thing, she had certainly
ontgrown the illusion of her youth:
Martin was no more to her than any
other vel behaved man; and yet, down
deep in her heart. was little craving
for revenge. She had suffered like all
silly girls. she said to herself, and now
II he was returning with the idea of
finding her Il lovc-Iorn maid awaiting
his smile and favor, she would soon
disablse him OF that cOnceit.
And she was capable of it.