American short stories : $b Selected and edited with an introductory essay on the short story by Charles Sears Baldwin
General
American short stories : $b Selected and edited with an introductory essay on the short story by Charles Sears Baldwin
American fiction -- 19th century; Short stories, American
She had become radically selfish. She forgot the old ideas of
noble-heartedness and self-denial, and her temper had become weak and
childish. She did not meet her puzzle face to face, but she ran away
from it with her hands over her ears. Miss Crofutt stared at her, and
therefore she threw Miss Crofutt’s book into the fire.
After two days of unceasing debate, she called her parents, and with
the greatest agitation told them _all_.
It so happened, in this case, that events, to use a railroad phrase,
made connection.
No sooner had Miss Eunice told her story than the man came again. This
time he was accompanied by a woman.
“Only get my glove away from him,” sobbed the unhappy one, “that is all
I ask!” This was a fine admission! It was thought proper to bring an
officer, and so a strong one was sent for.
Meanwhile the couple had been admitted to the parlor. Miss Eunice’s
father stationed the officer at one door, while he, with a pistol,
stood at the other. Then Miss Eunice went into the apartment. She
was wasted, weak, and nervous. The two villains got up as she came
in, and bowed. She began to tremble as usual, and laid hold upon the
mantelpiece. “How much do you want?” she gasped.
The man gave the woman a push with his forefinger. She stepped forward
quickly with her crest up. Her eyes turned, and she fixed a vixenish
look upon Miss Eunice. She suddenly shot her hand out from beneath her
shawl and extended it at full length. Across it lay Miss Eunice’s
glove, very much soiled.
“Was that thing ever yours?” demanded the woman, shrilly.
“Y-yes,” said Miss Eunice, faintly.
The woman seemed (if the apt word is to be excused) staggered. She
withdrew her hand, and looked the glove over. The man shook his head,
and began to laugh behind his hat.
“And did you ever give it to him?” pursued the woman, pointing over her
shoulder with her thumb.
Miss Eunice nodded.
“Of your own free will?”
After a moment of silence she ejaculated, in a whisper, “Yes.”
“Now wait,” said the man, coming to the front; “’nough has been said by
you.” He then addressed himself to Miss Eunice with the remains of his
laugh still illuminating his face.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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