The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-08-30

"You assert, :" she continued warmly,
that 1t is ridiculous to suppose that
man and woman of the world could fall
in love at first sight, as I make my hero
and heroine do. and that such proceed
ings are limited to boys and girls in
their teens and the pages Of penny fc-
ton. should have thought that Mr.:
Aubrey Everdene would have shown
wider sympathies. 49,. .-.. ~. .......
''Then you really believe, Lady Hill
yard, that adult. sensible people con-
oeive such abrupt attachments?''
II am convinced that it happens fire.
quently."
ooh, come, not frequently?"
"Well, sometimes, she amended. II
could give you dozen instances.
He lacked the heart to argue with
her. It would have been like breaking
butterfly ON a wheel And, after all,
there might be more sentiment in fin
de steele humanity than he thought.
Women have wonderful intuition in
these matters
"Well, suppose we let that slide for
the moment and proceed to indictment
No. 2. What other phrase Of mine do
you take exception to-"
'You said that had not the remotest
idea Of construction, and that Fashion
and Footlights' was evidently speci-
men Of that Objectionable class Of fiction
which you regretted to see was growing
SO prevalent-the amateur novel, born
Of vanity and lack of wholesome &C.
cupation. -
Her voice died away with a tremor:
He had only stated the truth, but that
fact did not prevent the speeches. Mr.
Everdene from feeling as if he had COM
mitted a particularly brutal murder
and the ghost of the victim had come
to arraign him before all the people
whose opinions he valued most.
"I-I cried" she murmured pathetic.
ally.
Her lips quivered Beads of perspira-
ton rose to the mans forehead.
Good heavens, if had only guessed
how much l should hurt you! 1t was
harsh, monstrous. No doubt I was in a
bad temper, and your unfortunate book
was the first thing that afforded me all
opportunity to vent my spleen.'
Lady Hilyard applied six square
inches of cambria and lace to the corner
of an eyelid.
IF you'll only believe me, my dear
Lady Hilyard. when tell you that I'm
sorrier than I can say
''Then you acknowledge that you
were needlessly cruel?''
II was brutal" He would have CON-
mitted blacker perjury as she wiped
that tear away.
"And that I had just cause for indig-
nation?'
"You were perfectly right.
A smile broke like April sunshine
over her face.
''In that case, 1 suppose I must for
give you.
He was ridiculously grateful. He
heaved sigh of relief and hesitated,
with his hand on the button Of the elec-
trio bell.
''Lady Hilyard, you know the Arab
custom of taking salt with ones friends?
As token of good will permit me to
give you the prosaic English equivalent
Of a cup of tea -
The offer was tempting, the room was
hot, and she had talked great deal
She yielded-and more. When the re-
freshments came, accompanied by Won
derful sweetmeats from Bond street
round the corner, she asked permission
to pour it out for him with winning
graciousness which charmed him. 1t
afforded him an odd sense Of pleasure,
too, to see her white fingers moving
about the china He was unaccustomed
to the presence of women in his home.
With the Japanese table between
them, them chatted for awhile, and
then the clock on the mantelpiece struck
g. She rose, with pretty gesture OF
dismay, like second Cinderella 'Do
you know, Mr.. Everdene, that I have
been a whole hour wasting your valua-
BILE timer
II thought it had been 10 minutes"
he answered, land the pleasantest time
of my life"
"Very prettyv' she said, blushing
family. "And, in return for it, let me
tell you my address is on my card, and
that my day is Thursday: Also must
thank you very heartily for your kind
ness and courtesy to an impertinent in
truder. Very few men would have been
so considerable.
"Please don't thank me- It is who
owe you debt of gratitude. You have
taught me something l never expected
to learn"
"What?''
"That the conduct of your hero and
heroine was not improbable at all "
Their eyes met. The woman's dropped.
self conscious, pleased.
"You really mean that?"
"On my soul, I do"
The most delicious softness was in
her voice:
1T makes me so proud and happy to
think have convinced you"
There was silence. She smootned
wrinkle in her suede glove. He twisted
q button on his coat. Then she aroused
herself with little laugh, and extended
her hand.
"Well, goodby, Mr.. Everdene, and