Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-07-23


Everdene wonid have shown wider sym
pathies -
Then yon really believe, Lady Eli
yard, That adult, sensible people do con-
ceiye such abrupt attachmentss''
II am convinced that it happens fre-
quently.''
''Oh, come, not frequentlyg''
Well-sometimes she amended
''I could give you dozen instances. -
he lacked the heart to argue with her.
1t would have been like breaking hut
terfly ON wheel, and, after all, there
might be more sentiment In I'm de siecle
humanity tfan he thought. Women have
wonderful intuition in these matters.
'sWell. suppose we let that slide for
the moment and proceed to Indictment
No. 2. What other phrase of mine do
You take exception tos''
You said TINT had not the remoteSt
idea of construction, and that Fashion
and Footlights' was evidently a speci-
men of that Objectionable class OF fic-
tion which .you regretted to see was
growing SO preyalent-the amateur nov
ell, born OF vanity and lack of whole
some occupation"
Her voice died away with a tremor.
He had only stated the truth, bat the
fact did not prevent the speechless Mr..
Eyerdene from feeling as if he had COM
mitted particularly brutal murder and
the ghost of the victim had come to ar
raign him before all the people whose
opinion he valued most.
''I-I cried" she murmured pathet-
ically.
Her lips quiyered. Beads of perspira-
ton rose to the mans forehead.
stGood heavens, if had only Guessed
how much 1 should hurt you'll 1t was
harsh, monstrous. No doubt was in a
bad temper, and your unfortunate book
was the first thing that afforded me an
opportunity to vent my spleen. +"
"Then you acknowledge that you
were needlessly crue1?''
"I was brutal" he would have COM
mitted blacler perjury as she wiped that
tear away.
''And that had just cause for indig
nation?"
"You were perfectly right. /"
A smile broke like April sunshine
over her face.
Sin that case I suppose must forgive
you?''
He was ridiculously grateful. He
heaved sigh of relief and hesitated
with his hand ON the button of the cleo
trio bell
Lady Hilyard, you know the Arab
custom of taking salt with ones friends?
AS token of good will permit me 10
give you the prosaic English equivalent
of q cup of tea. -
The offer was tempting, tho weather
was hot, and she had talked a great
deal She yielded When the refresl-
ment came, accompanied by wonderful
sweetmeats from round the corner, she
asked permission to pour it out for him,
with winning gracionsness 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 tables between
them they chatted for awhile, and then
the clock on the mantelpiece struck 6.
She rose with a pretty gesture of dis
may, like second Cinderella.
''Do you know, MIR. Eyerdene, that ]
have been hero a whole hour wasting
your valuable timer
81 thought it had been ten minutes, +"
he answered, "and the pleasuntest of
my life
Every prettyl' 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 /
must thank you very heartily for your
kindness and courtesy to an impertinent
intruder. Very few men would have
been so considerate.
t'Please don't thank me. 1t is who
owe you a debt of gratitude. You have
taught mo something / never expected
to learn. 7"
"Whatg"
"That the conduct of your hero and
heroine was not improbable at all -
Their eyes met. the womnn's drooped,
self conscious, pleased
you really mean that?'
''on my soul I do. -
Tho most delicious softness was in
her voice.
'tIt makes mo SO proud and happy to
think have convinced you. -
There was silence. She smoothed a
wrinkle in her suede glove He twisted
button on his coat. Then she aroused
herself, with little laugh, and extend
ed her hand.
"we1l. goodby, Mr.. Everdene, and
once more, thank you'll"
he pressed her fingers ever so lightly
--her proselyte.
"Not goodby," he murmured. Eau
revoir l''--Black and White.