Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-13
A FOOLISH MAN.

myself, to do nothing. was able to afford
a holiday, as my nEevious book, Ewes
Dilemma" had been enormously success
full. should add that write as Eric
Evershed," but my name is really Edward
Grahame.
Yes, had gone to Eastbourne, and it
was after had been there about week
that / was introduced to Miss Patricia
Holt. To explain why my introduction to
Miss Holt was noteworthy, it is necessary
to go back few days-in fact, to go back
to the morning after my arrival.
] was sauntering on the terrace after
breakfast when L saw "A girl approaching
who Immediately rivcted my attention.
am not certain that she was exactly beau
tiful, though l am quite sure it would be
wrGng to describe her as pretty" but
there was something in her face striking
and uncommon. She looked clover girl
more than that, a girl whom it would
be very charming to know. She was walk
ing beside bath chair, the occupant of
which was a middle aged lady, who was
presumably her mother, and us I passed
she turned her head and without the
slightest suggestion of coquetry lifted her
eyes to me. Perhaps l amor used to be
at 80 years-impressionable l was in
stantly conscious that l was glad l had
chosen EastbOurne to idle in. felt that
my walks would not he quite purposeless
honceforward 1t WAS n small place, and
hoped might pass the girl with the gray
eyes that afternoon.
did not but l met her again upon the
terrace on the morrow. Evidently it was
the custom of the mother and daughter to
take their exercise here every morning,
and every morning accordingly it became
the scene of my own perambulations too.
There was never an opportunity for my
addressing them, and anxious as | was to
make their acquaintance my visit would
doubtless have terminated without that
contamination being attained but for
lucky chance
One evening on turning into the bar of
a hotel near my rooms for whisky and
soda met n friend of mine Charlie Ather-
ly. He had he told me, only run down
that day, was awfully glad to see me, etc.
Our reDcontre ended by my arranging to
call for him on the following morning to
have a swim,
After the swim we looked about togeth-
er, and drifting to the terrace came face to
face almost as we touched it, with my in
cognita and her mamma. Atherly took
off his hat, and his bow was returned.
He knew them Was there ever such good
fortune?
"Who arc they?" asked as we passed
on.
"Mrs and Miss Holt ought to cali
on them"
"You know them so well?"
"Oh, very well. I used to know the
old man too. He is dead.
eve often noticed them," I said. II
should like to be introduced. "
"Oh, certainly" Atherly replied "In
introduce you with pleasure. She is a
very nice girl, Patricia Holt"
"She looks it. She looks clever one
also Is she?"
eyes, she is. AS literary gent you
ought to suit her. By the way, what do
you call yourself now, 'Grahame' or Ever
shed?' "
II call myself Grahame, of course" l
answered. And for heavens sake dom t
drag my book in. Nothing is more en-
barrassing when one is introduced. In
nine cases out Of ten the people haven't
read it, and one feels the completest fool
alive"
We were repassing the band stand, and
Miss Holt was sitting down, the bath
chair at a standstill by the rails. She
smiled at my friend afresh. He paused,
shook hands In another moment ! was
being presented and saying, "How do you
do?' So began my friendship with Miss
Holt.
For five minutes have been looking at
word l have written, considering wheth-
or l ought to erase it. friendship"
Was it friendship, or was 1 really in love
with her? Or was it only a 1lirtation2
cannot decide. Let friendship stand.
She had voice that gave distinction TO
commonplace. But she uttered common
places very seldom, and her voice was de-
lightful always. l know, as one does
know these things sometimes that she
was glad to have me introduced to her, and
had never enjoyed an hour more than
did the one in which we spent chatting
there listening to the band.
When at length we separated and my
friend and l crossed the parade together
Atherly said to me, "You are taken, old
MANI
ZIP"
ooh, yes-you! 1t was obvious And
Miss Holt did not seem to find your ad'
miration distasteful."
"What nonsensel" But was enchanted.
"It's n fact. I've seen her with lots OF
men, and know her. She talked to You
misunderstanding Miss Holt"
'She is reserved rs a ruler"
"The least bit in the world perhaps.
She gives one the idea of being bored in
conversation with most men,"
what are her tastes-her predilec-
tionsP"
"Oh, she will tell you all that soon
enough herself, expect. Indeed 1 can't
define! She reads great deal, adores art
in every shape and form and is very mu-
steal. If you understand people like Tur-
ner and Wagner, you will be in great SYM
pathy with her. AS for myself, don't,
and don't pretend to. She doesn't think
anything Of my intellect, but she likes me
and treats me as a good natured Philistine.
She is very frank, Patricia Holt, and she
likes candor in Others 1 tell her plainly
that for me to care for a piece of music
there must be tune in it, and before
can appreciate picture 1 must be able to
understand what it means. She laughs
and accepts my Ignorance as part Of me.
If affected knowledge that didn't pos
sess and posed to her she would bowl me
out in five minutes and despise me.
did like Wagner, and believed / knew
something about art. The moro l heard
of Miss Holt the more believed we should
get on together. had wanted to know