Cashel Byron's Profession

"I have something to tell you," said Parker at last.

Alice did not deign to reply.

"I think it better to let you know at once," he continued. "The fact

is, I intend to marry Janet."

"Janet won't," said Alice, promptly, retorting first, and then

reflecting on the intelligence, which surprised her more than it

pleased her.

Parker smiled conceitedly, and said, "I don't think she will raise

any difficulty if you give her to understand that it is all over

between US."

"That what is all over?"

"Well, if you prefer it, that there never has been anything between

us. Janet believes that we were engaged. So did a good many other

people until you went into high life."

"I cannot help what people thought."

"And they all know that I, at least, was ready to perform my part of

the engagement honorably."

"Wallace," she said, with a sudden change of tone; "I think we had

better separate. It is not right for me to be riding about the park

with you when I have nobody belonging to me here except a

man-servant."

"Just as you please," he said, coolly, halting. "May I assure Janet

that you wish her to marry me?"

"Most certainly not. I do not wish anyone to marry you, much less my

own sister. I am far inferior to Janet; and she deserves a much

better husband than I do."

"I quite agree with you, though I don't quite see what that has to

do with it. As far as I understand you, you will neither marry me

yourself--mind, I am quite willing to fulfil my engagement

still--nor let any one else have me. Is that so?"

"You may tell Janet," said Alice, vigorously, her face glowing,

"that if we--you and I--were condemned to live forever on a desert

isl--No; I will write to her. That will be the best way.

Good-morning."

Parker, hitherto imperturbable, now showed signs of alarm. "I beg,

Alice," he said, "that you will say nothing unfair to her of me. You

cannot with truth say anything bad of me."

"Do you really care for Janet?" said Alice, wavering.

"Of course," he replied, indignantly. "Janet is a very superior

girl."

"I have always said so," said Alice, rather angry because some one

else had forestalled her with the meritorious admission. "I will

tell her the simple truth--that there has never been anything

between us except what is between all cousins; and that there never

could have been anything more on my part. I must go now. I don't

know what that man must think of me already."