The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-11-11
probably ho woula n..
more peculiar.

herself on tho bed, and commenced
what tho girls at school call q good
cry"
If he had been old, or ugly, or disa-
| greoable-if he had bccn anything but
tho soft-voicod distractingly good-look-
ing fellow he was-sho could have
borne it with fortitude.
Why had George brought him at
that dreadful timeP Why had she hit
upon this particular day for that idiolic
performance Why was he not rcd
haired or cross-cycd, or-some.hinoP
She would not have minded it in the
least in that case.
There was tap at tho door, and
she heard Georges voice, not yet quito
composed, begging her to let him in.
His mirth disappeared before the
woc-begonc little person who opened
tho door to him. and stood mopping
her eyes.
"Oh, we'll. now' ho began, COM
fortingly, you don't moan to say
you re brokon up like this about lit
tic thing like thatp"
IA little thing!' cried Winnie, chok-
ingly. ooh, George! what--what will
he thinkp"
Never mind what he'll think"
said George, calmly. 1T was good
joke, and that ought to be enough for
you"
That did not seem 10 console Win
ME. She only sobbed into her hand
kcrchcf tho more wildly.
why did you bring himP", she mur-
INJURED. in 4 hcart-broken way. "Why
didn't you bring somebody that wasn't
$3.50 nicep"
"Oh, woll," he observed. trying to
speak in an off-hand way, don't wor-
ry about it! ho's-he's married."
The sobs ceased. But, strange to
say, the face which lifted itself from
tho handkerchief was not exactly ra-
diant 1t seemed disappointed.
"Marricd!' Winnie repeated in an
injured tone.
Good gracious!" said the bewildcr-
cd young man. Don't that suit
youP"
Don't be rudcl" said his sister Sc
verely.
The sight of SO much dignity, in
combination with the coral necklace
and the Juvenile dress, was too much
for George. He clung to tho door in
another paroxysm of mirth.
you've got to como down, you
know" he gasped, wiping his eyes.
Put on something decent, and como
down and paralyzo him. What do
you carcP'
Winnie wavcrcd. After all. what
did she carer He was married.
Half an hour later, Tom Bradley,
leaning against the piano in the draw
ing-room, and listening to Georges
rendering of the latest popular air,
was reused by the sound of footstcp
on tho uhcarpctcd floor, and startled
by tho appearance of graceful and
extremely pretty young lady in a blue
dress.
He was astonishcd Mt the familiar
smile she gave him; he was astonished
at the way in which George whirlcd
about on the piano-stool, and grinncd,
without introducing them; and then,
as he looked more closely at tho pretty
apparition, he became aware of tho
startling truth.
Winnie's composurc, which had be-
gun 10 desert her, returned in full
force. as the young man dropped
his eyes and studied the bare floor in
evident confusion.
She sank on tho sofa calmly, ar
ranged tho folds OF her drcss becom-
ingly, and begged her brother, sweet
ly to continue his song.
'l'll let him know [ don't care" she
said to herself triumphantly. MAR
ried-the horrid thing!'
''Are you as fond Of music as Of
dollsP' the young man venturcd,
breaking the silence at last.
Almost, said Winnie, with a
laugh.
And the conversation, with this
small start drifted on gayiy.
1t struck her, as they talked on,
that Mr.. Bradley, for married man,
was-woll--not well-bchavcd.
He kept his eyes fixed on her In IN
admiring way; the tone of his remarks
half bantering, wholly compliments
ry-was highly improper under the
circumstances.
He had edged nearer and nearer to
her, until there was no appreciable
space between them.
Winnie felt that something must be
done. She wont to the piano hastily,
and played q few meaningless notes
with desperate speed.
MIR. Bradley followed promptly, and
leaned over her with an air Of pro-
found enjoyment.
x, Ooo' nto. oi"uicJ playT Salu
Winnie, frigidly.
"Mrs. Bradleyp" her companion re
peated, smiling inquiringly, and leau-
ing rather lower.
Your wife ! T" said Winnie, severe
ly.
"Oh, but 1 haven't onep' said the
young man cheorfully.
Winnie looked up at him quickly.
and Immediately looked down again.
II haven't one" Mr. Bradley re-
peated softly; "but I've been thinking
for tho last twenty minutes that I'd
like one immensely. il"
The recollection that she had known
MIR. Bradley barely an hour and a half
caused Winnie TO turn away from him
hastily and commence noisy polka.
But when sho got up to her room
that night, ut rathcr late hour, and
sank on tho edge OF the bed, staring
with unseeing eyes st the white mus.
lin, Wing whore sho had left It In
heap n the floor, the thought did run
vaguely through her mind that per-
haps she had helped, or hindored, her
mother foS tho last time