The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-07-30

fore I could analyze the magnetic
thrill that came from 1t, it was gone
A flush passed over her face and died
away as she came.
You honor our poor house once
more?" she said, dropping a mock
courtesy. Il thought you had desert
ed u.s."
Not l." said l stoutly, hclding out
my hand. saw there was liItle play
to be carried on for the benefit Of Mrs.
Knapp. For some reason she had not
confided in her mother. Not l. l
am always your humble knight"
saw that Mrs. Knapp was looking
at us curiously, and pressed my ad-
vantage. Luella took my hand un.
willingly. l was ready to dare good
deal for the clasp of her fingers, but
scarcely felt the thrill of their touch
before she had snatched them away.
There's nothing but pretty speech
es to be had from you-and quotations
at that she said. There was malice
under the seeming innocence of a pre-
tended pout.
There's nothing that could be so
| becoming in the circumstances"
Except common sense" frowned
Luella.
The most uncommon of qualities,
| aSit
down. children. | must see to Mr..
| Carter, who is lost by the portiere and
will never be discovered unless l res.
cue him.
Take him to dear Aunt julia" said
Luella as her mother left us.
Dear Aunt Julia" | inferred, was
| Mrs. BOwser.
Luella took a seat and | followed
her example. Then, with chin in hand
and allow on the arm of her chair
the young woman looked at me calmly
and thoughtfully.
Well" said Luella at last, in cut
ting voice, why don't you TALK"
ITS your lead" said l gloomily
You took the last trick"
At this reference to our meeting, Lu
ella looked surprised. Then she gave
a little ripping laugh.
Really" she said, Il believe shal
begin to like you, yet
That's very kind of you; but turf
about is fair play"
You mustn't do that" said she sc
verely, "or | shan't."
Il meant it," said l defiantly.
Then you ought to know bette
than to say it," she retorted.
I'm in need of lessons, | fear"
How delightful of you to confes
it! Then shall tell you what to do?
This was very charming. l hastene'
to say:
do, by all means"
The young woman sank back in he
chair, clasped her hands in her la
as her mother had done, and glance
hastily about. Then in low voic
she said:
BE yourself"
1t was an electric shock she CAV
me, not more by the words than b.
the tone.
| struggled for moment before
regained my mental balance.
Don't you think we could get o.
safer ground?" l suggested.
NO" said Luella. There isn't an
safe ground for us otherwise"
| ;o1- =
remainder of my. mission with whic
these words overwhelmed me, tied m
tongue and mastered my spirits.
was this girls father that l was pu
suing. Oh, why was this burden lai
upon me? Why was l to be torn o
the rack between inclination an
duty?
Luella watched my face narrCwl
through the conflict in my mind, an
| felt as though her spirit struggle
with mine to win me to the course {
open, honest dealing. But it was in
! possible. She must be the last of a
to know.
Her eyes sank as though she kne
which had won the victory, and
proud, scornful look took the place
the grave good humor that had bee
there a moment before. Then, on
sudden, she began to speak of the tn
aters, rides, drives and whatInot
the pleasures of the day. Suddenl
she stopped with weary look.
There's Aunt Julia waiting fl
you" she said with a CLEAN of m
. licious pleasure. Come along. l d
liver you over a prisoner of war"
wait minute" pleaded.
, NO" she said, imperiously motto
l ing me. Come along" And with
sigh l was given, helpless, but S
lently protesting, captive, to the me
cies of Mrs. Bowser.
That eloquent lady received n
with flutter of feathers, if l may bo
e row the expression, to indicate b,
pleasure.
= (TO BE CoNTINUED)
EHHh Il
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