The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-29

that 1t Is ridiculous to suppose that q
man and woman of the world could fall
in love at first sight, as 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 flo
ton. should have thought that Mr..
Aubrey Everdene would have shown
wider sympathies.
Then you really believe. Lady Hill
yard, that adult, sensible people con-
coivo such abrupt attachnents?"
Il am convinced that it happens fire.
quently."
"Oh. come, not frequently2''
We'll. sometimes" she amended. 1T
could give you dozen instances.
He lacked the heart to argue with
her. 1t would have been like breaking
a butterfly on wheel And, after all,
there might be more sentiment In fin
de siecle humanity than he thought.
Women have wonderful intuition in
these matters
We'll, suppose we let that slide for
tho moment and proceed to Indictment
No. Q. 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 u lick Of wholesome &C.
oupation.
Her voice died away with tremor.
He had only stated the truth, but that
fact did not prevent the speechless Mr.
Everdene from feeling as if he had COM
mitted particularly brutal murder
and the ghost of the victim had come
to arraign him before al the people
whose opinions he valued most.
IL cried. she murmured pathetic
ally
Her lips quivcred Beads of perspira-
ton rose to the mans forehead
GOOD heavens, if 1 had only guessed
how much 1 should hurt you'll It was
harsh. monstrous. No doubt was in O
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 tho corner
Of al cyelid
''If you'll only believe me, my dear
Lady Hilyard. when 1 tell you that I'm
sorrier than can say.
"Thcn you acknowledge that you
were nccdlossly cruel?'
II was brutal" He would have COM
mittcd blacllor perjury as she wiped
that tear away.
And that had Just cause for indip
nation?"
lyon were perfectly right"
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 tho cleo
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 q cup of tea. -
The offer was tempting, the room was
hot, and she had talked great deal.
She yielded-and more When tho re-
freshments came, accompanied by won
dorful 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 sec her white fingers moving
about the china. He was unaccustomed
to tho presence of women i'll his home.
With the Japanese table between
thom, them chatted for awhile and
then the clock on tho mantelpiece struck
6. She rose, with a pretty gesture of
dismay, like second Cinderella. "Do
you know, Mr.. Everdenc, that 1 have
been whole hour wasting your valua-
bic timer
II thought it had been 10 minutes, "
he answered, land the pleasantest time
of my life ="
Very prettyl' 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 nm impertinent in.
truder. Very few men would have been
so considerable -
"Please don't thank me. 1t is I who
owe you debt of gratitude You havo
taught me something I 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?"
ION my soul, do
The most delicious softness was in
her voice:
1T makes me so proud and happy to
think l have convinced you