Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 5, Number 28, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 January 1875 — Page 2

Page PDF (10.13 MB)

Back to issue view

THE MAIL

PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

BO UUUT AND SOLD.

I stood to-night In

vay

A n/i be, rd them praise the costly things That purchased my nuptial vow Praia*- the Jewel that clings and stings

And burdens ray Angers now The milk white pearls that twine In iny curls

AXHI hang like a irdenon my brow,

PrulAG as wo praise'he frozen tiw That the hoar white frosts beg*m, And the cold cuts k« but w« only see

The glilU-rint diadem tni) the leaves b-math, in the cruel wreath We've never a thought forth em.

Bought with a heap of shining gold: Bring hither* red liot rod. A.ixl brand my forehead, write there, Sold,

And lost to Heaven and to God. Yet, weak heart, wait! you chose your fate, All jeweled

1111,1 gold.-n shod.

In the Red Room.

BY NORA PBKRY.

I shall have to put you in the rod room, after all, Jenny. I have kept the east coamber for you. but wo do have so much unexpected company anniversary week. La--*t night Mrs. Dean came with her baby, and the red room is so far away that I didn't feel as if it was just the ihiug to put her there.

No, of course not, and I'm sure I as lief sleep in the red room as in the east room.* ..

Mary Ann will sleep on the lounge in the room, so you won't mind." For mercy's sake, Martha, what do you think I want Mary Ann to sleep in the room with me for?"

I was afraid you might get nervous, so far off from the rest ot the rooms." Get nervous why, I should never think of such a tiling. What should I get nervous about \ou haven't a burglar epidemic just now, have you, or perhaps a walking ghost

N-o, not exact!v." At this reply Jenny Merryweather turned suddenly from the contemplation of her new traveling suit which the pier glass reflected iw all its beauties, turned suddenly and confronted her friend with her inquiring look. "Martha Carrique, it is a ghost, and you were going to smuggle me into his den actually without a warning or introductien."

You ridiculous girl, there is no ghost about it, but there is a foolish stojy connected with the room which I thought you had heard*" •4 Only a story of a ghost! Only the storv of a ghost! Oh, dear, Martha, what a disapiwintment. I did hope it was one of the veritable old colonial gentry, such as used to be here in the flash and blood. Perhaps Colonel Carrique himself, or one ot the Hancock family, or that beautiful great, great, great* aunt or grandmother ef yours, whom Oen. llancock sent home because the Indian chief tell in love with her. But on the whole, I'd rather it was that handsome Colonel Carrique in his roj'ulist red coat, though it mightn't bo so proper, for I am so tired of seeing nothing but women, Martha, that I prefer even a visiting ghost to be a masculine one."

spasms of laughter.

W«B

does

firmness told an enviable story of circw lation and digestion. "That§means pullinc oars with Jimmy, arftt beating nim at that," this merry little Jenny went on nodding and smiling "and it means, too, MrsvMfcrtha Carrique, that I am so so 'sound and healthy, as Aunt Desire says,

4so

foam white lace,

With poarl* iu raj »Lintng hair, i%r^i I hid ray heait with a smiling face, And the gawr* said,"How fair—• How blithf and bright is the maid to-night,

Who mand* at the altar there.

You ridiculous girl!" repeated Mrs. Carrique,

going

off into one of her little

That's the second time you've called me that, Martha. But just think what an out and out lark this is lor me. Six months tied down to that b-a ba, b-i bi, b-o bo, business, in that dear, dull, deserted of mankind littlo native town of mino. Positively, Martha, there isn't but one young man left in the place, and he's rather non compos. And for the rest, for tho older ones, the married men. you never saw such ungallant creatures. No woman need bo jealous of her husband in our town, Martha. If Frank gets frisky here, just bring him down to Balem, thero is something in tho very air that takes all tho frisk out of them. Why, I went to a school meeting one night, Martha, whore I happened to be tho only lady with seven gentlemen. Well, my dear, what do you think—those seven men allowed me to walk home—a quarterof a mile—alone. Not one of them had the politeness, the Aecency, to offer himself as an eseort. Stop, Martha, needn't call me a ridiculous girl again, I'm not embroidering in the least, I'm telliug you a downright feet. Tho worst of it was, tho injurious effect on my self esteem. I wasn't at all afraid to walk through our Puritanic little streets oven if it had been midnight, but to havo seven men unito in showing you that yon aro not sufficiently agreeaDle to charm them out of their stolid, selfish laziness even into momentary good manners, was humiliating. Suppose th*!V had known roe all their lives? What ha'd that to do with it? Oh, I tell you Martha, I haven't beld up my head since!" and Jenny Merryweather disclosed all her milk-white teeth at this announcement. Sauntering along the wide halls, and queer Bassago-waya in this queer old bouse, those two girls— ft)r Mrs. Carrique, spito of her matronly honors, was only one of tho Saturday Reviewers "fcreat girl*"—"cause just at this crisis of tho conversation to the rod room in question. Thia, room was situated itt the north wont corner of the house, in what

rudely healthy, that if I have

any ncrvofl they are out of sight and out of mind. Ho now you can just go to bed and to sleep, without any worry about me or nny threats of Mary Ann.

Mrs. Carrique, thus adjured, takes a final survey of window and door fastenings, and bids hor guest good night. And not many minutes after, Jenny Merryweather having disposed of those twenty-six hair pins and the structure of braids and curls and frizzes, is snugly ensconced between the clover-scented sheets, sleeping the sleep of the just,

And to think, Frank, I forgot to tell her the ghost story, after all," says Mrs. Martha, as she rejoins her husband.

All the better that you didn repeat that foolish stuff."

Well, I don't think that anj thing would disturb Jenny. I never saw such a srirl. It wasn't so strange that I should forge that I hadn't told her the story, but that she should caro so little as to ask no questions on what usually so interesting to girls."

But Jenny has been brought up on ghost stories. Baleni is full ot 'em, you know. Sho camo here for something new, Martha."

At the breakfast table next morning Jenny appeared with tho brightest of faces.

Well," she said, laughingly, "your ghost didn't pay mo a

441

visit,

Martha, but

I did have the queerer dream."

hope it was a pleasant one, you know what the sign is about tho first dream undor a strange roof."

That it will oome truewell I don think my dream is likely to come true," and Jenny laughed again."

You've no objection to telling it to us, have you?" asked Mr. Carrique.

4*Oh,

not in the least. I went to sleep

almost as soon as my head touched tlio pillow, and it was in this lirst sleep that I first met your ancestor, Colonel Carrique. You know we had been speaking of him, Martha, and I had admired his portrait, and told you that if I was to be visited by a ghost I should prefer the handsome royalist. Well, I dreamed that I was at a great party, in this very house, only the furniture was all of it quite old-fashioned, and instead of your big windows, there wore ever so many smaller ones, and so high from the floor that they looked like prison windows to me—"

Well, I declare,

No, I am sure you didn't for tho only letter I got from you after you purchased tho hou?e was au invitation to visit you, and as I haven't seen you since until yesterday, and Frank answered my note to you by telegram, that he would meet me at 2

P. M.on

called tho44gable-

eod." It was divided from the other chambers by a Ion* passage opening from the main hall by narrow door. Seen In the noon sunshine, It looked tho eofdeet chamber*!* the world, with its red carpet and curtains, aad the pretty lookout upon the gardens and the green hills of Middlesex county. But that night when Mrs. Carrique accompanied her yomig guest again through the balls *nd passage ways, And finally entered the Uoiatod room to see if her not peculiarly reliable chambermaid tod discharged her doty thoroughly, the red room had lost IWcbeortal aspect, and by the light of the two candles the red oarpet and graperies fook on a somber •n a somber depth and *fcads\hat was by no moans enlivening, orat least such was the opinion of the no«t«esberself on this second visit. Jenny was chattering away as usual, ana seemed to be entirely unobservant of the change which night had wrought in her surroundings. "It

look so lonesome here at

night," at last broke out Mrs. OarHqne, "thai. I think you had better have Mary Ann sleep on tho lounge."

Jennv stopped pulliugout the twentysix hair phis that held that marvelous structure of braids and curls and friezes together, and turning round from the mirror looked with real and not affected astonishment at her friend. "Maftfea» think you are setting kipped in this old trap. The Idea of your talking

,no

about nerves.

»nven*t we a whole pack of ghosts at 'Bin, and one a regular old witch? rvous! My dear, feel of that arm," ivitl* a gay little smile she held out n], white member, the healthy

Wednesday,I don't

see where you could have told your story of improvements."

Oh, I dare sav she told you yesterday, Miss Jenny, when you first arrived."

Indeed she did not, Mr, Carrique. I don't lose my memory quite so easily as that," said jenny, laughing, but a little nettled.

4 4

1 I a re to it all to the red room account," Mr. Carrique returned gaily.

Jenny looked at him with rather a puzzled face, but Mrs. Carrique sent her off of that track by saying, "Come, do go on with your dream, Jenny. There's nothing I like so much to hear about as people's dreams."

And Jenny went on. "When I came into the room whore all these gentry were, the first person I saw distinctly was a tall, handsome man, in a royalist uniform just like that in the picture of Colonel Carrique, and the face of this gentleman was precisely liko the one in the portrait. He came forward to meet me as I entered, and as he stood before me a moment what do you think he said And here pausing, Jenny laughs and actually blushes a little.

We give it up none of this family are goodat conundrums, Jennv," Frank, Carrique remarks and so with another littlo laugh, and another little blush, Jenny goes on:

lie said, in such a low tone that I understood at once that nobody but myself was expected to hear it 'Miss Merryweather, my nephew has arrived, and he is impatient to meet his promised wife.' Tho next moment ho turned about and a young man not in the least like tho Colonel, and dressed in the fashion of to-day, stood before me. He put out his hana to take mine, and as he did so I started back in a sort ef fright, whereupon the old Colonel bent down and whispered in my ear, 'It's of no use lor you to resist, my dear it is your fate.'

This only frightened me the more, and I turned and ran out of the rootrffas fast as my feet could carry me, The Colonel ran after me, not at all in a rage, but laughing immoderately. But I was too swill for him. I ran straight to the red room and banged the door in his face. At that instant I awoke, laughing myself. I lay awake a few moments and then falling fast asleep again. I took up my dream just where 1 had left off, for I heard the sound of the Colonel's laughter growing fainter and fainter, and tho sound of his footsteps, as he went down the stairs. I had escaped the Colonel, but before me stood an old lady with a satin dress on her arm, 'It's of no use for you to resist,' she said, repeating the Colonel's words, and wagging her head wickedly at faae, 'it's your fate,' and then wagging her bead still more, 'Ibr this prank of yours you will be married to night, Mm, Do what I would. I couldn't seem to escape from the old woman until that white satin dress had been donned, and then as she opened the door and seined my wrist to lead me down, I sprang away, but ray foot caught in iny grand gown, and felt myself felling, in that horrid way as one does in dreams. And here while I VMC uvrro iu u*— was falling, I awoke again. I lay arwhile

IIUIIIC* A -JR

I fell asleep again.jmd again 7 resumed the same thread. This time I was lying in a great canopied bed in that very red room, and the old lady and the Colonel were standing before me looking as solemn as judges. The eld lady came up close to the bed and leaning over me •said in a shrill little voice: "You won't escape us again, Miss, I can tell you. That ancestress of yours served this family a nice trick in her day, and ggt us nicely scandalised by her folly.' Then that handsome Colonel laughed and said in the politest way: 'And yon, my dear, are going to atone tor all that.

You'll unite* and snap hero went the thread again. I suppose it was that horrid black-and-tan terrier of yours, who was vapping under my window, that woke me this time. I went to sleep again. I didn't resume my dream again, and 1 did so want to hear what tue Colonel was going to sav."

The fact of It is^ you were disappointed in not meeting that nephew again, ins Jenny," said Frank Carrique,

But wasn't it a very odd dream, taking the (act of my resuming it twioe after

waking?" asked Jenny, giving no heed to Mr. Carrique's facetia. Well, yes, it was rather odd, but still that fact of resuming a dream isn't uncommon."

No, I don't know that, it is," said Jenny, feeling somehow by Mr. Carrique"^ words and manner as if she had been telling a very foolish and uninteresting storv. Martha, too looked dull and distraite, and that little Mrs. Desn had a queer, constrained expression as if she were laughing at her. Abashed at first indications, our little school-mis-tress at the second turn of her thought became considerably nettled and being a rktlier quick tempered little lady,there is no knowing what sarcastic expressions she might have found, if just at the moment a diversion had not oeen created by tho arrival of fresh guests. An(^ before the day was over, fresh guests and fresh scenes and Martha's real pleasure in her society, shown at every turn, dispelled tho little cloud entirely. Later, the memory, not the cloud, came before her with anew significance. But this was so late, at the very end of her visit, in fact, that we won't talk of it just now. In the interim lay all that beautiful time of summer, and freedom from what she called that b-a ba, b-i bi, b-o bo, business, tho weary round of her primary school duties.

There has come to be a saying in Boston that has almost passed

Jenny,

that was the

very appearance the house presented before we altered it. Did I ever give you a description of it

Why, yes, in a way, I suppose I did. And you are, you know, Jenny, rather on the intellectual pattern, compaedtomq."

Jenny laughed. "Compared to you My superior intellect I suppose is shown in teaching an infant school, and not being afraid of ghosts. That last matter, however is only a matter of physical health. By the way Martha, you haven't told me your ghost story yet, and now's your time. I've got just twenty minutes before the car starts.

Martha looks queer. Oh, it is nothing but an old tale about the Colonel and some friend of his appearing now and then." "The

old lady

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

into

a proverb

that it always rains anniversary week but on this anniversary of Jenny's visit to her friend, since that friend had arrived at tho dignity of matron hood, and an ancestral mansion, on this first and iQOst eveniftil visit of hers, the May sky refused to weep its usual anniversatears, and tho sun shone, with the thermometer in the eighties for days. But in and out, in and out, sometimes by horse-car, and sometimes in Mr. Carriques littlo beach-wagon our little Yankee school-mist ress took her way through the dust and heat to listen to the heresies of Tremont Temple or the more orthodox controversies in Music Hall.

How you can stand so much theology and philosophy I don't see, Jenny," exclaimed Mrs. Martha, one morning toward the end of the week, as^ Jenny came down equipped former daily excursion. "And what's mor«», Jenny, how you can comprehend it all, passes me." ... "Comprehend it? Bless me!" ejaculated Jenny, briskly "I don't pretend t» comprehend half of it. Why, Martha, I go see the people to meet my friends and acquaintances You don't consider that I'm a country girl compared to you, and that I'm on a vacation lark, aud moan to mako the best of my time."

Goodness gracious!" cried Mrs. Martha at this, "and I thought, and Frank thought all the time, that you were up to all those isms, and you lust go there for nothing in the world but to meet people, just like any other girl." "Yes, did you expect I wasn't like any other girl, I should like to know, Martha Carrique?"

I met my dream,"

laughs Jenny. You haven't met either her or the Colonel since that first night, have you Jenny?"

No, but I met the nephew they were so anxious to make me marry, last night, and I am getting quite reconciled to the match, Martha."

A little more in this gay strain, and then this pretty brown-eyea, rosy-cheek-ed "country girl," as she calls herself, trips off on that sight-seeing, social errand which, if the truth were told, brings more people together in Boston on this famous anniversary week than all theologies and isms combined. But in spite of her modest disclaimor of other interest, Jenny had a quick mind and an appreciation of some fine things

Say

uite beyond her. And

on this last

she sat in Tremont Temple, and heard the cadonces of afar famed voice, sho forgot her social errand entirely, and listened, if not with thorough understanding with great admiration and the keenest attention. It was in tho midst of this eloquence, and while her attention was at its height, that a lady acquaintance' loaning over from a front seat, signaled for her fan. As she reached forward to pass it a gentleman near her turned his face toward her. Jenny Merry weather's nerves were well sheathed, as she had said, under that firm, hoalthy flesh of hers, but a very queer sensation thrilled her asshe saw that the face of this stranger—iccw the face of the man she had twice met in her dreams—the face of the man whom the old royalist bad called his nephew. In the sudden movement the gentleman had changed his position, and now sat whore

Bho

had

a full view of his lineaments. Yes, there were the same marked lineaments, the high, long noso, the searching, but a the s«mo time peculiarly droopTng eyes, above which straight ana heavy brows, short-cut hair gave a resolute look, which the square shaven chin by no means counteracted. The only sign of beard was on the upper lip—a thickly grown, well trained ebon mustache. How the famous orator progressed with his discourse after this, Jenny never knew. But at the end of the discourse, as she stood waiting to paw out, she suddenly became aware that those searching eyes were fixed on her face with a curious intentness. Friends and acquaintances approached her, and she responded to their salutations, and laughed and tolked in her orordinary manner: but all tho time she was conscious of ner unknown mysterious neighbor, quite conscious that he was keeping ner in view through the slow passage to the door. And then in a moment she lost sight of him. She was to meet Martha that day at the Parker house. where they were to have a Me-a-tete lunch together, and afterwards Indulge themselves in a millinery hunt. And over that first cap of coffee, Jenny told Martha her strange story of the morniug.

Mm. Martha looked as if all the ghosts of the ancestral mansion had suddenly appeared before her. When she found voice,from excess of amazmeent,it was to say: "Who would have thought, Jenny, that such a little, matter-of-fl*ct person an you would have been the heroine of such an uncanny mystery."

Jennv langhed. Then in a moment, "Martha, vou treat this little sequel to my drenin with more respect than yon did the dream itaelt"

Martha oolored a little, glancing at Jenny In a qaick observant way, but made no reply. "And I don't know as I wonder at it," went on Jenny. "Of course, this queer fact of my meeting my dream gentleman, In broad daylight, •mkes the chief interest in the dream

itself. But I must say I found the dream very interesting before," with an arch, significant glance at Martha. But Martha, evidently not disposed tjO discuss this matter, asks abruptly: "Senny, you said you met this person in your dream last night. Tell me about it."

Well, there isn't much to tell. I don't remember any events as in the first place. He seemed to appear before me as if for no other reason but to impress his fhee uoon my memory or it seems like that now, for though it made a clear impression in the first dream, it was nothing like the exactness with which every feature snd every expression fixed itself like a photograph on my mind last night."

I never heard anything like the whole affair before," ejaculated Mrs. Carrique with emphasis.

441have,"

441

returnov. Jenny. "Nothing

of the kind, of course, ever came under my own observation and experience before, but I've read and heard of such things. We're Scotch folks, you know, on my mother's side, and I've heard Grandma McKay tell a great many of those old, second-sight Scotch stories, and especially about such dreams as mine. A great many of them, I believe aro purely imaginary, helped on by some old tradition, but now and then something like this experience of mine happens to some practical little body like myself."

wonder what Frank will say to this cried Mrs. Carrique, in a sort of triumph.

I shan't tell him, but you can if you please." Of course I shall," and that very night she kept her word.

Frank Carrique laughed as was his wont. And what he said was not much more encouraging to Mrs. Martha. In fact he doubted the whole story believed that Jenny had become so impressed with that dream gentleman, that she endowed the first good-looking fellow she met with his lineaments. "That shows how much you know Senny Merryweather!" retorted his wife with great scorn. "She's about as fanciful as you are, just about, I wish you'd seen her at her lunch while she was fresh from that queer encounter, and relating it to me. It really excited me so much that I quite forgot my appetite. But Jenny!" and Mrs. Carrique stopped, unable to express herself adequately as to the extent efJenny's appetite at such a time.

441don't

think Jenny is very fanciful

myself, Martha, but girls will be girls," declared Mr. Carrique, with the young masculine air of settling the matter by hi^ summing up.

And stupid men will be stupid men," retorted Martha, with a grimace at her lord and master.

Aggravating as all this unbelief was to Martha, she took pretty good care not to seek sympathy on the subject from Jenny. Her visit would come to an end now in three days, and she meant that it should end as smoothly and pleasantly as possible. The last night of all, the ancestral mansion was to be turned into a pretty scene of festivity—a farewell party for the two or three guests whose departure would be almost simultaneous. On the morning of this last day Jenny came down equipped for an expedition to the city again.

Now, Jenny, what are you going to heat yourself up for to-day of all days —the anniversaries are over, aren't they?"

Yes, but I must have new ribbons for my pink dress." And so you are going to heat yourself up and get red and blowsy for tonight."

Martha wants you to look your best before her new relations. There's to be a very strong force of Carriques to-night, you know. And I believe she has a special design about a certain cousin of mine, Tom Carrique, who happens to be here now from Philadelphia."

Now, Frank—" fR Now, Martha, I'm not going to have Jenny taken unawares." "Jenny, if you believe half that Frank Bays," began Mrs. Carrique, with a little guilty blush.

I don't," retorted Jenny, laughingly. "I believe only one-third, the other twothirds I put down to pure fancy, following his wise example of judgment where the opposite sex are concerned!" There was a mischievous sparkle in the glance that this little Jenny darted at Mr. Carrique here, which winged her arrow straight to her mark. "Oh, no," thought that gentleman "so Marte, after all, went and told her of my heresy about that dream-hero of hers.

But Marte had done nothing of the kind, as he found out later. Walls, it is said, have ears, bt\t Jenny found not even a wall barrier as she sat on the door stone that day and the wind came sweeping every sound to her, far and near. She had been a good deal nettled, when this accident brought Frank's persistent disbelief to her, but she had succeeded so well in keeping it out of sight no one suspected it until this small shot. Full of w6nder, but fearing a little breeze, Mrs. Carrique turned tho conversation, going back to the pink dress.

Why don't you wear white tarletan, Jenny It would be lovely, with a whole trimming of pink roses and buds."

Yes. but where are the pink roses and buds, Martha?" "At McDougal's green-houso, my dear. Iv'o ordered loads of flowers from there, and I might as well tell him to send me some roses. Don't you remember that small, perfect, pink rose we saw there the other day? I don't know what variety it is, I never can remember anything like that, but it would bo just lovely for your white dress,"

Thto settled the matter, for Jenny had more confidence in Martha's taste than in her own. That night, standing before the long mirror in the red room, she suddenly turned to'Martha. who was looping the overskirt, whith the words: "Martha, you'll think I'm cracked, I dare say, but as true as I'm standing here, I remember now, tor the first time, that I was looking Jusi like this, in this white dress and pink roses, I mean, when I found myself standing before the old Colonel, in my dream. I remember now. that I stood before thievery glass before I went down, and regarded myself as I do now."

My goodness gracious!" exelaimed Martha, dropping a whole paper of pins in her trepidation.

You know I told you all along that the time that the nephew's dress was of the fashion of U-day, but never remembered nay own dress until thia moment. This is what you call alatmt memory, I suppose," and Jenny laughed a little. "My goodness gracious!" again exclaimed Martha, as she picked up the pins, "I believe it all ootnesof this room. Jenny, and—but there's the bell, and I'm not half ready," with which curiously unfinished sentence, Mrs. Martha whisked out of the room as if she were fleeing from a small army of ghosts. Jenny looked after her in surprise. And for a moment, as she stood there alone and heard the wind sweeping throtmh tho long passages, and disking tho eld

door latches, an undefined feeling came over her, not of fear, but of something unusual, either in the atmosphere about her, or in her own state of mind. "It is all in my own mind, and no wonder, after all this queer dream work," she concluded, as snetook up her gloves and went down to the drawing room. And once within that gay, bright room, seeing the pretty reflection of herself in the lone mirrors, and meeting an endless array of Carriques, in one and two and three generations, she forgot all about the "dream-work, and its puzzles, and remembered onlv the agreeable present, that she was looking her best, and that Tom Carrique's eyes as he bent over over her were beaming with a flattering consciousness of the fact. The rooms were rapidly filling with brilliantly dressed people,but her now admirer held his place beside her, as if he intended to hold it for the rest of the evening, and they were both in the full swing of that remarkable nonsense that young folks delight in, when Jenny's attention was arrested by her host's voice, exclaiming in atone of great astonishment: "What, you, Henry, what in the world does it mean

Don't be alarmed, Miss Merryweather," explained her companion, "it's only another Carrique he isn't considered quite up to the Carrique standard ef good looks, but, however, here he comes, so you can judge for vourself."

441came

on in the Europe,and I should

have been in to

Bee

you a day or two ago

but Morris and Kate wanted me to come out with them and surprise you." This was the answer Jenny heard in reply to Frank Carrique's question, and the next moment the owner of the voice came in sight, and she saw—the hero of her dream again! Her gay companion rattled on, and she responded with the same sense of perception which keeps the external routine of social life in order under such difficult circumstances. But all the while she was watching the new-comer, listening to Martha's cordial reception of him ana holding her breath in a sort of eager restraint, until she should be brought face to face with him.

It was at this moment that the tension began to show a little. Tom Carrique, rewarding her with a half laughing scrutiny, said to her:

Miss Merryweather, what is it you look as if you had seen a ghost."

Perhaps I have," she answered in the same tone. The next moment she knew Frank Carrique was standing before her, and was saying in his jovial voice: "Here's another Carrique, Miss Jenny. My cousin, Mr. Henry Carrique, fresli from Paris, Miss Merryweather."

Then, almost reluctantly, she raised her eyes, and met that same intent gaze she bad received in Tremont Temple, three days ago. As Frank Carriaue moved off to speak to some one else, this new-comer, bending forward a little, asked in the quietest way:

Did you like Weiss the other morning I believe I saw you at the Temple—you sat almost directly back of me."

What an impression my staring must have made upon him," was Jenny's uneasy thought of this. But she needn't have feared. Henry Carrique was no more vain or self-conscious than herself. He had not flattered himself by such observance as Jenny had given him. She had interested him for quite another reason. And it was for this reason doubtless that he held his place beside her for so long a time, talking t® her in that same quiet, confidential tone, with which ho had begun his conversation with her.

Henry has cut me entirely out with your little school-mistress," whispered Tom Carrique in Mrs. Martha's ear. during tho course of this conversation.

Mrs. Martha laughed, but she looked rather disturbed. She had always beard vague reports that Henry Carrique was a very agreeable man, who made himself fascinating to women with no intentions of marrying, and although she had by no means set herself to the onerous task of match-making, she didn't want her friend Jenny trifled with. Making a little detour, presently Bhe made a littlo effort at breaking up the prolonged tete-a-tete, but unsuccessfully. At this failure she beckoned to her husband.

Break up that flirtation, Frank, and being Jenny' over to me. I waht her to know the Dunham girls."

Flirtation! They're talking about the iron mines in some Russian town," Frank responded, with a laugh at his wife.

I don't care what they are talking about, I tell you it's a flirtation, Frank, and I want you to break it up immeately. I don't approve of such monopolizing on the part of your cousin."

Frank shrugged nis shoulders. He saw how it was. but like a sensible host —would that hostesses possessed the game shining virtue—be hated to break op a tete-a-tete. "Why can't women let each other alone?" was his inward query, but, being a very new husband, he felt bound to please his wife at any cost, and so, though much against his will, went forward to do her bidding. It is very curious how a concealed motive will sometimes convor itself to the person or persons most concerned. There was certainly nothing strrnge in the ffcet that a pretty girl like Miss Merryweather should be wanted elsewhere, and Henry Carrique was sufficiently a man of society to know that he had rather monopolized the young lady but when Frank Carrique, followed by his wife, came up with the easy and natural request that Miss Jenny would allow him to introduce her to tho Dunham girls, Henry Carrique knew that this was simply a ruse to separate him from his companion. He laughed a little and thought quickly, "So I'm warned off, eh And as a matter of course, a new element of interest was added to the curiosity he already felt about his new acquaintance. Jenny, loo, as keen, perhaps keener in her perceptions, made a conclusion not far from the truth, that Mr. Henry Carrique was somehow considered a dangerous person, at least so fkr as she was concerned, and so. as a matter of course, anew element was added to her interest. To her there seemed to be a kind of fresh, but unseen bond established between them, from this fresh circumstance, and from this circumstance, she found it quite impossible to make a further confidant of her friend Martha—to tell her what would have been so natural, under other circumstances, the new fact of identification, which had astonished her, in the person ef Henry Carrique. But that night, when the guests had all departed, ana Frank was pnttingout the gas down stairs, Martha came into Jenny's room for a "little talk."

Well, Jenny, how did you like my favorite, Tom Carrique, was her salutation in tones of suspicious airiness.

Jenny, the most straightforward of mortals, drives through this manoeuver at one plunge, and with a spirit that

the news of his engagement. He's acted very strangely about it did from the first but he's very eccentric, and as he's no relative nearer than a cousin, nobody

haB

any particular claim upon his

confidence." Jenny blushed a bright red at this information, but more from the vexation that always assails a person of quick perception when they feel that thev aro being indirectly warned, and "talked at," than from any other feeling. Neververy prone to restrain that quick spirit of hers, she flashed out here:

"Thanks, Martha, for your good intentions, but I dont need your caution, yet, at all events I'm not in love with. Honry Carrique." v,

Martha colored up, the color of the reds room itself.

s"Now,

Thoroughly restored to hor good humor by this outburst, Jenny repliedgaily: .Like it! I should Adore that style, Mart. I always liko people to hit straight out. I hate anybody to give me little pokes on tho sly."

Mart laughed in return, and so the," matter passed over, leaving Mrs. Car-jv,. rique feeling as if she had been rather^" ridiculously premature, not only in her'* speech, but her fears. But tne next. day when Henry Carrique walked in with that pleasant, easy manner of his,f. an hour or so before Jenny's departure,, on some flimsy errand, aoout a fan he1 had unwittingly carried away, Mrs. Martha got back more than her original^ fears and suspicions. But she would checkmate him yet. He had uo doubt come with the intention of accompanying Jenny to town on that long horse-, car ride, which would take her to the eastern station. The day was warm tho roads dusty, and Mrs."Martha had a headache, but to outwit this cool fellow, this dangerous schemer, she would gladly sacrifice herself and when Jenny rose to depaat Martha whipped on her hat, pinned up her pretty black grenadine that the dust spoiled, and an-1 nounced that she intended to go in Un town with her. For a moment Jenny* was "unaware" of the "situation," andi1 out of her honest heart protested in this' wise:

44Why,

Jenny, that's so

like you." So like mo to see straight through5/ 't I your trausparencies, Martha—I know that," laughed Jenny. "But if you wouldn't beat round the bush with me, Martha!"

Yes, if I'd come at you brutally and say,

4Jenny

Merryweather, Henry Car

rique is a dangerous person, and in mv opinion will fool you to the top of his bent, and then go off and marry that" girl he is engaged to, and leave you to wear the willow,' I suppose you mean to say that you'd like that style of thing?" retorted Martha, brought to bay.

Martha! it is very good*'

of you, and I should liko your company, but you can't get back in time fof your dinner at five, you know." "I intended to accompany Miss Mer-' ryweather, if I was happy enough tot find her here, that is, if she would per-» mit me," interposed Henry Carrique, ins the most matter of course way.

Mrs. Martha was breathless for a moment, at this very easy declaration off intentions. However, she held herj ground very neatly by improvising bus-" iness in town, and the clever fiction or her husband's probable delay on thi*§ spocial afternoon.

At this juncture, Jenny, biting her lip to conceal her amusement, met a look, from Henry Carrique's laughing eves,3that seemed to establish another lfttl link in the bond between them. And T* when he parted from her at tho Eastern depot, there was a merry kind of intimate acquaintance in their manner,! which poor Mrs. Carrique littlo suspect-. ed resulted flioin her own indiscreet ac-u tion.

Going home Jenny Merryweather had now two reasons for giving Mr. Henry Carrique the principal place in her thoughts. One very naturally resulted from tho odd dream. The other, tho'^ true girl reason of finding great interests in what she bad been specially warned against. r. Henry Carrique also found $ himself stimulated to double interest., for tho same reason, which after all It better to call the human reason, for& masculine as well as feminine perversi-^ ty, developcB equally in this direction.,, lint Mrs. Frank, dear soul, received no" light upon her own share in this b«si-r* ness, even when about a month later^' her husband camo home one night,witli the intelligence that Cousin Henry had joined a certain boating club at Bialeni, and that gossip had it that he was very^'attentive to Miss Jenny Merryweather.i

I shall just go out to Balem in tlie^, early train to-morrow morning," cried Mrs. Martha. "Now, my dear, look out howyotn meddle with such a matter."

cents of indignant amazement.

Blis

Mrs.

Martha cannot mistake. "I liked him very well, Martha, but I found Mr. Henry Carrique much more interesting, partly because 1 saw more of him, I suppose."

Yea, I dare say, Henry Carrique can make himself very agreeable. Ho's a great flirt, you know, or at least people say so. Nobody ever thought he'd marry until last year, when he sent liotae

I shall go out to Balem in the early train to-morrow morning, and do my'" duty. I know Jenny better than you» do, sir, and I know tnat my words will HI weigh with her." "Ifit wasn't for this queer engagement of his, 'twould be all right/' ro-K marked Mr. Carrique, musingly.

What?" from Mrs. Martha, in

resently she saya triumphantly: "Tf is the case, why do you feel annoy-"-ed about your news."

For the very simple reason tliauHonry way bo qulto unoonsdous that! be may be interesting Jenny unduly.'. His joining the boating club isn't strange, for be is an intimate friend oC^ Dick Otis, the president."

It's a ladies' and gentleman's olub, tent it, and they go sailing after sunset, by moonlight, ana to pionios and all that) sort of thing, don't they

I beliove they do, Mart," and Frank. Carrique laughed. I shall go out to Balem in the early train to-morrow morning, and spender the day with Jenny, ana you'll oom^ out for me in tho afternoon, sir."

si.W

The gentleman repeated bis word. "And you can say that, knowing®! Henry Carrique to be such an unprinci-fi pled flirt." A'

It was now Frank Carrique's turn to* look amaxed. An unprincipled flirt! Henry Car-i,j rique! Whera'a you get that idea, 15 should like to know."

Where should I get it From you ,w sir." Now, Martha, you are such a headlong creature. 1 told you once that Henry was an odd fellow, and though' very attractive to women, that we didn'u consider him a marrying man. You draw the conclusion from that, I sup%fl! pose, that ho is a male flirt. But he i*' nothing ao contemptible. He isn't even much of a society man. He is intoresu# ing to men aa well as to women."

Mrs. Martha was silent a moment,^ from a little feeling of anger toward* her husband, and a little mortification likewise, for sho was candid enough to know that her imagination sometimes translated things rather vividly. But

It was altogether too much trouble for*" Frank Oarrique to combat this positive^ decision and it ianot unlikely that h«^ felt himself the necessity for sort of action in the matter. However, it may have been, Mrs. Oarriqno took her own way after thia without ftirtber protest^ from hor husband and the next morniag aatonished Jenny Merryweather ... by her unexpected appearance. But '•osrufuxDOVTKian PAOX.J-