Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-08-16

would nave shown wider sympa thies.' -
"Then you really believe, Lady Hill
yard, that adult, sensible people do
conceive such abrupt attachments?''
II am convinced that it happens fire.
quently."
''Oh. come, not frequently"
''Weil-somet times" she amended
81 could give you dozen instances. -
He lacked the heart to argue with
her. 1t would have been like break
ing butterfly on wheel. And after
ali there might be more sentiment in
fin-de steele humanity than he thought;
women have wonderful intuition in
these matters.
''Wel1, suppose we let that slide for
the moment and proceed to Indictment
number two. What other phrase of
mine do you take exception to?''
You said that had not the remot-
est idea of construction, and that
Fashion and Footlights' was evident
ly specimen of that Objectionable
class of fiction which you regretted to
see was growing SO prevalent-the am
ateur novel, born of vanity and lack
of wholesome occupation"
Her voice died away with a tremor
He had only stated the truth, but the
fact did not prevent the speeches. Mr.
Everdene from feeling as if he had
committed particularly brutal MUIR
der and the ghost of the victim had
come to arraign him before all the
people whose opinions he valued most
II CRIED" she murmured, pathet-
ically.
Her lips quivered. Beads of perspira-
tion rose to the mans forehead
Good heavens, if had only guessed
how much should hurt you! 1t was
harsh, monstrous No doubt I was in
bad temper, and your unfortunate
book was the first thing that afforded
me an opportunity to vent my spleen. :"
Lady Hilyard applied six square
inches of cambria and lace to the cor
ner of an eyelid.
Lady Hilyard, when tell you that I'm
sorrier than l can say"
Then you acknowledge that you
were needlessly cruel?"
81 was brutal" He would have com
mitted Diacker perjury as she wiped
that tear away.
"And that L had just cause for in
dignation?"
A smile broke like April sunshine
over her face.
I'm 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
electric bell.
Lady Hilyard. you know the Arab
OI1C nf fal-inn ca1t xuith
friends? AS token of goodwill, per-
nit me to give you the prosaic English
equivalent of cup of tea"
The offer was tempting, the weather
was hot and she had talked a great
deal. She yielded. When the refresh
ment came, accompanied by wonder
full sweetmeats from Bond street round
the corner, she asked permission to
pour it out for him, with a 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 they chatted for awhile, and then
the clock on the mantelpiece struck
six. She rose with a pretty gesture of
dismay, like a second Cinderella.
''Do you knew, Mr.. Everdene, that 1
have been here whole hour wasting
your valuable time?"
81 thought it had been ten minutes, -
he answered, ''and the pleasantest of
my life
Very pretty she said, blushing
family. And, in return for it, let me
tell you that my address is on my card
and that my day is Thursday. Also,
1 must thank you very heartily for
your kindness and courtesy to an i'm
pertinent intruder. Very few men
would have been so considerate."
please don't thank ne; it is L who
owe you debt of gratitude. You have
taught me something L never expected
to learn
'tWhat?"
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?'
ION my soul do"
The most delicious softness was in
her voice:
cit makes me so proud and happy to
think l have convinced you"
There was a silence. She smoothed
wrinkle in her suede glove. He
twisted a button on his coat. Then
she aroused herself with a little laugh
and extended her hand.
"Well, good-by, Mr.. Everdene, and.
once more, thank you"
He pressed her fingers ever SO lightly
her proselyte.
Not .good-by,'" he murmured. ''Au
revoir. Black and White.
TOO HASTY.