The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-08-03

Il sat still for three minutes. Then
stretched out my hand, took my hat,
and rose to my feet. I made some
little noise in neutrality-suspicious. more
round.
'just fancy" said she. as though sho
were enjoying a conversation with the
window-pane, ''if this sort Of thing
happened when we were married.! And
unless you changed very much. it"
IF it were enough for me to
change 1 began. loftily.
''Now," interrupted Flo, still ad-
dressing herself to>the window-pane,
cit doesn't matter. We can just sepa-
rate. But then we should have to go
on being together"
Something struck mo in this last OBJ
servation. l laid down my hat.
''Gad, SO we should!' said I. THAT
would be rather queer"
1--WE should have to stay in the same
house-even In the same room some
times!" And Flo's graceful back was
agitated with a shudder.
1--WE should" I assented. II suppose
you wouldn't speak for the whole even
ing?"
1--WE should have to keep up appear
ances, and seem to be friendly when
the servants were there-and-oh, it
would be awfull''
l put my hands in my pockets and
"What should we have to do?" 1
asked, with curiosity.
make a loathsome pretense of-of
sti]l caring for one another, l suppose
said Flo. with a groan of prospective
horror.
But what should we have to do?'' 1
persisted wanted details. "Should
we have to tallk?"
Eyes" snapped Flo.
''Should L." pursued, taking
step towards Flo, 'have to kiss you?"
ooh, I Supposed wonder why you
don't go!'
''And would you have to kiss r,e3''
s>ver at all. But 1 was bound to ex-
tract one; could not leave tho matter
unsettled. So rang the bell.
''What are you ringing for?" said Flo,
facing round suddenly.
''For the footman," said I, nodding
my head.
II should have thought you could
about-faced again.
Then William opened the door.
"Did you ring, sir?' he asked, OBJ
serving, l suppose, that Flo did not ap-
pear to want anything.
Yes, William, 1 rang. want"
'Jt's Il mistake, William" came sud-
denly from the window.
''No. it isn't said I. II must ask
William"
Nonsense, Dick! It's only Mr.. Van
sittart's joke, William
"Well, then,'' said 1, 'can we do it
without William? If SO, he can CO."
Tlsere was the slightest Of pauses.
Then Flo said:
YES, you may go, William"
William, looking somewhat puzzled,
Withdrew; and then Flo, much flushed,
turned round once for all.
II can't Think" said she, chow you
can be so foolish. l don't know what
you'd have done in another minute"
II should" I answered., ''have kept
up appearances"
Flo's lips twitched n little. saw it
in a moment.
1T is perfectly useless for me," OBJ
served, plaintively, ITO try to escape
from you. Your resentment is not to
be relied upon for a quarter Of an hour.
1 am nearly heart-broken about Phil
ippa March,
well, I'm most sore about Capt.
Worsley.''
But" said I, I'm going to be a man.
I'm going to forget Philippa and keep
my word to you. Will you put the cap
tain out of your hearth"
''IlI try said Cousin Flo.
because you know if, after we arc
married, you speak Of him with re-
greet
''or if you seem to wish Philippe
had
''All those terrible thing. will hap
PEN"
Eyes, I know, Dick. Are we really
wise TOTO risk it2'
1 knitted my brows. It was really a
serious question. I studied Flo's
features.
I'm puzz led,'' answered. You're
very charming, Flo, but"
II don't trust you, Dick"
There was a long sad pause. Flo
held out her hand with a gesture Of
farewell. Hooked in her EYES tool
the hand.
1T is really best" said Flc, gently.
II suppose it is" said ], rather for
1ornly, squeezing her hand.
Wharfage is such an irrevocable
STEP" Flo reminded ME.
well. anyhow. it's very trouble
some to-
''And it," interrupted Flo, '.when i.
was too late, when we awcl<e to the
fact-No! G-good-by. Dick-''
"Good-by, Flo," said much moved.
Thus we parted / took my hat, and.
without a backward glance, started
for the door.
At this moment, curiously enough,
the door opened. William came in.
please, MISS" said he. ''tea's ready
In the drawing-room.'
THANK you, William said Flo, in a
very low voice.
William withdrew. I stood meditar
lively in the middle of the room. Then
7 hat