The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-17

glance. he said diffidently: "Can 1 be Of
mo, thank you Iexpect Cousin Charlie
Your services are not available" She gave
utterance to this little dart of spite calmly,
and watched him steadily to see how ne
would take it.
He grew red, and stiffiy lifting his hat,
said: Every well, and swiftly disappeared
down the stairway to the hold.
She repented as soon as he was out OF
sight, and said: ''Oh, he's goneI And
didn't say good-by. He has been so good
and kind to me on the trip, tool"
The boat was slowly towed up the river
and the landing was soon reached. Fanny
waited until everyone had left the boat,
but no Charlie appeared. The porter
helped her ashore with bag and baggage
and she was asking him what to do when
familiar voice with his old time author
ity said: Come with me. I've sent my
luggage home and intend to see you safe
to your train" Meantime he was men,
tally blessing the cast-iron rule of news
paper office and the insurmountability of
assignment, which gave him this chance.
Fanny was immensely relieved to find
her friend as trusty as ever, for the rush
and noise of the city confused and fright
ened her. She said apologetlcally: Il
can't think why Charlie didn't come"
trouble you to get me cab"
"Oh he has an assignment, | suppose.
Stay here while l find you one."
In short time he accomplished this
and helped her in, and placed her smaller
luggage on the opposite seat. When he
had done this she held out her hand to
him in parting. He said: "What's that
for? You objected to my holding it last
night. Do you want me to now?" And
he coolly seated himself in the vacant seat
at her side. Just like a woman, don't
know your own mind two minutes" he
remarked as he possessed himself of her
hand. holding it in spite of her resistance,
and kept it, too.
care you as unforgiving as you seem"
he asked, looking into her eyes, which
were on level with his, for he was only
an inch taller than she.
Quite" she answered, concisely.
GU were lecturing me on my sins one
night, now it is my turn. It's wrong to be
unforgiving. I'll accept gladly now any
thing you'll give me. You see you gave
me your hand and took il" enclosing it
in both his.
Il did not, and you are extremely i'm
pudent to say sol" her face fiery red.
And as writing anything for you, I
never will"
'Oh, yes you will. You know you are
to write to me once a week at least" and
he smiled blandly, as was his habit when
most impudent
before she had time to make reply the
depot was reached and the cabman was
opening the door.
When he had put her aboard her train
and stood teuaciously holding her hand
for the last time. he said, tentatively:
II think l will have business in Smith
vile about the middle of October"
Sho 1o hy1tt l. Il, rxsv
one, Indeed ?" in tone as devoid of in
terest as one of his own printed slips.
He looked into her face anxiously for
any signs of relenting and said, in a low
voice:
you are very unforgiving"
Seemingly" she answered. demurely,
while dimple pitted itself in her cheek.
Why this brief reply should have en-
couraged him is unknowable. but it did,
and he said:
Il will come. You may expect me about
the 10TH"
Your business may, you mean," she
said, inditferently.
u do not: You know what meant"
'Oh, yes! You want to help me to re-
wise my manuscriptsp'
"Well, yes. I'd like to take a hand in
that, if you'll let me-" squeezing the one
he held in firmer grip.
just then the train began to move slowly
out of the station, and she looked up
anxiously at him. At this slight exhibi-
ton of feeling for him he lost his head,
and stopped and kissed her suddenly.
Forgive mel couldn't help it! I'll
come for second installment!" and was
gone before she recovered from the shock.
"The impudent thing!" she gasped;
I've always heard newspaper men were
the most brazen, bold things imaginable!"
She looked around to see if any one had
observed the scene, but was relieved to
find every one busy settling his belong
ings and totally oblivious of the tender
parting.
After she had been at home day or two
she received a repentent, apologize letter,
full of ingenious excuses for his conduct.
Topunish him properly she mode no reply,
and soon another, reproachtul this time,
came. In it he announced that his affairs
seemed to be running so badly at Smith
vile as to require his immediate attention,
and she might expect him soon after the
letter.
How soon2" she wondered.
A day or 80 later she was again sweep
ing the porch, when a rafting at the gate
made her look up, and the next moment
the broom dropped, while John w. Banks
held both her hands and said:
"I'm in search of special article! Can
you give me one?"
"How nonsensical! Do come into the
housed" and leading the way she took
him into the neat little parlor. Without
waiting to be asked he disposed of his hat,
then walking up to Fanny, said:
"Your height is very convenient"
"Why?" she asked, surprised at this
seemingly inconsequent remark.
This is why. You are only an inch
shorter than L, and it's no trouble to kiss
you !" suiting action to words.
You are an impudent thing! You
know you've no right to do that!"
81 came down on purpose to get the
copyright"-withj joyous effrontery-"let
me have it, dearest Fanny. I'll give you
all m worth for it!' coaxingly.
Who could refuse so generous an offer?
Fanny did not, while at the same time she
felt-with woman-like perversity-she had
not quite evened up things to her satisfac-
ton, but was consoled by the fact that
she would have many and glorious oppor-
tunities to do that if SIZE married him.
Sidney KNOX