Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-12-18


women he had heard discussing his case.
He Looked At Edith surreptiti0usly as
she sat there listening so inteutly "a the
sermon. and be thought she did not look
like a girl who woald care to "dangle"
any u He knew he might be mis-
taken. for he did not claim to know
women. No man does who has once
thought he did. But certainly she did
not look like o girl Of that sort. He
knew she had never seemed so 70 him,
even at the last. But then who could
tell? Perhaps she would like TO ''dangle"
him, as they called 1t.
He wondered il he would care, and
concluded that he would not; it might
aver be pleasant. Something suggested
to him that no might let her try, and he
favored the suggestion.
They rose to sing the last hymn, and
then kneIt a moment while the rector
prayed. The Organist played a low,
solemn occasional and the people began
to file out.
They passed the choir gallery as they
went, and the tenor was helping the alto
10 put ON her furB.
"See," said the alto. "there is Edith
Arnold, with Mr.. Willard in her train
again. They must have made up. You're
not looking Mt all"
81 have something better to look at"
said the tenor.
"Oh'- said the alto, and then stopped.
Willard turned his collar up again when
they reached the door.
mot a long service " he said, for want
Of anything better to say.
mo" said Miss Arnold absently.
ibid you like the Sermon"
"Well, | don't know. | didn't hear
much Of It. / forgot to listen"
"OhF" said Miss Arnold, very much as
the alto had said it a moment before.
81 think the soprano would do better
if she would leave ont some Of those
trills and quirls," suggested Willard.
"Do your" said Miss Arnold. II don't
know. I'm afraid | was not listening"
"Ohr" said Willard.
81 don't think | meant that exactly"
said Edith.
"NIeant what?'
"What you thought when l said was
not listening"
"a had no idea You did"
They walked along awhile without
saying anything.
Edith" said Willard at length, "did
you hear what those women behind us
were saying during the servicey'
Edith looked up seriously innocent.
"What women she asked.
''In the pew behind US"
81 was listening to the service" re-
piled Miss Arnold with dignity.
Except when the soprano sang"
commented Willard.
Presently they reached Miss Arnold's
home, and he opened the little iron gate
for her.
"You had better come IN and sec
mamma" she said.
"Well, perhaps | had," said Willard.
He wondered if he vas beginning to be
"dangled."
Mrs. Arnold and the little sister looked
a trihe surprised as the two entered, but
each received him cordially in her own
way. Little sister slipped her hand into
his and gave it a comforting squeeze.
That was her method. They were alone
when she did it, for Edith went to take
off her wraps and Mrs, Arnold went
somewhere after a few words with Mil
lard The latter reflected that he had
come in to see mamma, but he did not
say anything
''Are You and Edith spoons GgainY'
asked little sister.
Millard laughed helplessly and Won
dered what to say. Little sister relieved
the situation.
Because" she continued, without
waiting for a reply, 'because If you are,
| am glad. don't like the others near
so well as | do YOU"
Don't you? I'm so glad"
"Are you, really? Say, will you keeI
still if | tell you somethingY'
"Like the grave" said Willard.
"And never tell any one told your
Never"
mot even EdithY'
mot even Edith" said Willard sol.
EMMY.
"Well, then" said little sister, "rlI
tell you. Edith's last beau doesn't eome
here any more. and ! guess she want
another one"
"Oh," said Willard.
ayes, and | thought perhaps II yor
knew you would come some more. Dc
wish you would You don't snub Inc
like the rest"
"What on earth arc you two talking
aboutY' asked Edith. coming into th'
room at this point.
Don't you tell" whispered little sis
ter.
"Of course not, said Willard gravely
eve were talking about the weather,
he continued TO Edith. "Your siste,
says Il is not MS cold as it was"
Little sister slid ont of the room
THAT was an awful fb," she said t.
Willard RS she went out.
A couple Of hours later Edith hfte'
her head from Millard's shoulder AM
looked up at him a trihe uncertainty.
"Foster." she said, "didyou hear wha
those Odious women behind us wer
saying during serviceY'
~ did, but you will remember tina
you did not. You were attending to tn
service"
"Hushl am in earnest. Fosteri"