The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-06-22

81 never thought that Freddy Brown
would have breathed--"
"IIis voice was trine husky, but
perhaps it was the tea Another piece
OF sugar, please Thanks. Well,
Brown didn't blame you, Lydia"
Poor boy!"
He only said you were heartless
little flirt, and"
81 can assure you, Paul, that he
never had any encouragement from
me. | couldn't bear him"
Somehow / always had an idea
that you liked him-not so well, per
haps, as Murray or Anderson, or Mer-
edith, or"
You're awfully mean! Have you
finished you- tea?"
"Yes, thank you Just ready for my
second cup, Lydia But about
Brown"
"If you say another word about
Brown. or anybody else, I'll leave you.
Indeed, will What right have you
to discuss-a-these sort of things?"
Three Jumps, Lydia. What right,
did you say? The right--ahem! or a
rejected lover!"
"Fiddlestlcks! Take your tea, and
be quick"
Here's hospitality" said I, taking
the cup from her. do you treat all
your male friends like this, Lydia?"
NO; | treat them as gentlemen"
she retorted.
You mean?" | asked, stung by her
tone.
Il mean that none of my male
friends, as you call them, would talk
as you have done"
"No; each would talk about himself,
suppose You have an unfortunate
way of making men conceited for a
week or two, Lydia"
"Oh!"
"And I'm getting rather tired Of
meeting fellows whom you have lifted
into the seventh heaven and then
dropped Please let me go on-lve
nearly finished If I'm not speaking
the truth you can contradict me after
wards. I've had this bottled up for
months, and / can keep it no longer.
| cant stand hearing men calling you
flirt It's horrible to me who have
known you and been f-friendly with
you nearly all your life. | wish to
goodness you had a brother, or "a
husband. You"
She interrupted me by rising sud.
denly and facing me. Her eyes were
very bright, but her face was pale.
Hadn't you better go now?" she said,
coldly.
put down my cup and rose you
won't listen to me, Lydia?" said,
sadly.
my patience is rather limited, and
your-er--conversa is rather dull"
"And your conscience?"
"Is none of your business"
We looked at one another, and at
last her eyes dropped.
'I'll go. Lydia" ] said, with an ef
fort. And | won't interfere again In
fact won't meet you again, II | can
help It,"
Very well" she murmured.
| turned from her without even n
formal farewell; but at the door
queer idea occurred to me, and re.
traced my steps, She was standing by
the hearth, looking into the fire, as
detached something from the end of
my watch-chain and slipped 1t into her
hand
Whats this?" she exclaimed.
"A relic of your first Irritation" I
replied "As you can see, the gilt is
off It, Put 1t in the fire. I've often
intended 10 do so, but always lacked
the courage
For "A moment she bent over the
little brass ring with it's glass and
tinsel ruby. ut used to be too big
for me-" she whispered, as II to her.
self.
yes; | remember IL came off very
easily" | muttered, and somehow
sighed
She glanced up at me, and looked
down again.
Put it in the fire and I'll get away"
said l.
She gave queer little laugh. at
slipped on to my finger just now--so
silly of it!--and ! can't get 1t off.
Let me see It,"
She held mp her left hand, and saw
the glass ruby winklng freely on the
third finger.
Let me try Lydia" | whispered
softly, in spite of myself, And she
laughed again, and gave me her hand
But the ring was tight and could not
BIZ removed without hurting her.
won't 1t come off?" she asked
quietly.
81 don't want to hurt you"
Don't your" she said dreamily.
And then, "Oh, Paul, PAUL" she cried.
why did you give it to me?"
"Lydia!"
1T makes me remember"
What, LYDIA"
"Oh, just everything worth remem.
bering. Paul, you mustn't kiss
my hands, you mustnt-oh, let me
go!"
She moved little away from me
and leant her arms on the mantel-
piece and hid her face. For long
time, as 1t seemed, there was silence
in the room.
Lydia" whispered at last you've