Tiny Luttrell

imself in a glass and wondering how long his white tie had been on one s

ye, however, upon her husband. "Of course there's a great differe

d gone up to bed it was as though a paper chase had passed through the rectory study, where they had all gathered for

rina and Victoria-there were acres to

Australia to understand. Moreover, he had taught Tiny to listen for his laugh. So when he made neither sound nor sign the

him," observ

ing," said Herbert.

n he's here," sighed Ruth, who looked a little troubl

e minutes before Tiny ex

e Dromards h

met Erskine coming down, having changed his dress suit for flannels;

ot going to sit

from his flannels to his fa

Erskine answered crookedly; "it's most awfu

fill one with

ski

l, d

ou're cross with me. I want to k

lit his pipe before answerin

you I should run away to bed;

d not tur

! As you seem to wish it,

ter blind. So he remained for some minutes before remembering the easy-chair. No one knew better than Erskine that he had just been unkind to his wife. He was not pleased with her, but he had refused to explain his displeasure when she invited him to do so. There was this difficulty in explaining it-that

of the matches, and were going to another. Erskine had been opposed to the dance, but the wife had prevailed; he was against their going to another match, but doubtless Ruth would have her way again, for she had shown a tenacity of purpose that surprised him in her, whi

s; and there was hope on that side too. In less than a week the danger would be past, and those two would never see each other again. Consideration of the danger he had in mind, quá danger, provoked a smile. Tiny herself would have enjoyed the humor of that, she was so quick to see and to enjoy. But she could appreciate more than a joke, or did she only pretend to like those books? And the sou

for your

bought them. It was his wife on the

ctured you asl

I'm not sleepy-and I want to talk to you. May I sit down? An hou

en smoking, and settled his wife in it against her

want to speak to you, too. I was a bru

you must have had some reason; so I've co

; for was there any call to be frank with her

se we went to this horrid dance! And I'll say I'm sorry we did go, if you like; thoug

at you delightfully while you're there. Considering who we are, and that we have no root in this soil, I grant you they're particularly kind to us; but don't you think their kindness is just a little trying? I do, though I have nothi

y you would show

's all. It's a selfish reason, but it's the truth-I should have had

kine, I know you better than you think. You're not

y with a shrug, to

night. One of us has behaved b

ehavior, my dear, it was entirely creditable to you as a chap

hey have staying in the house. I should have thought there was res

er to Manister," rem

ered whether she would, or h

Lord Manister cares wh

everly feigned, but instead of deceiving Er

at I think about Tiny and Lor

Erskine?" cried Ruth, redden

that he had said so much. "It would hur

ch as your

y own sister by this time, and if I didn't thin

spoke t

" said Ruth, who had

e is making up to hi

in her anxiety to remain cool she forgot

her husband very quietly. "If you do I

ately. "Do you know how many

sted on the remains of her programme

ly. "And pray did you count how many times she spoke

grant you; I

k she is maki

that a far more effective method is a little judicious snubbing and avoiding, which is coquetry? You take my word for it, that's the touch for a man like Manister, who is probably accustomed to everything but being snubbed

r been so dark until now, that whisper would ha

was making up for her snubbing and avoiding. It has since occurred to me that they must have known e

source, Ruth aimed a

!" she exclai

t's

t of your

however, that was far from bitter. "Then one can't help feeling disappointed with Tiny; and in

th dolefully. For her stone had misse

tter, in which-I can't help telling you-I don't

rit made one spurt more. It was the

dor concerning her sister's affairs, which were certainly no business of his. Only, if there really had been something between Christina and Lord Manister in Melbourne-if, for instance, Mrs. Willoughby had gossiped unwittingly to Christina about none other than Christina herself-Erskine put it to his wife that she might have done more wisely to place him in a position silently to appreciate such capital jokes. He

her tears his form against the gray window, as he shut down the sash. The lamp burnt faintly, and in the two wan lights it

king at her tears. "I knew we were in

l you forgive me now if I tell you everything that I know-everything? It isn't

st, and with his arms around her lightly,

of the whole thing? Suppose I turn ou

rly, and the pa

or yourself," sighed Erskine-so that he

confidence, but not enough to watch his face. That was turned to the gray morning, and looked as gr