Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1895-08-22

Eyerdene would have shown wider sym
pathie- +"
''Then You really believe, Lady Hill
yard, that adult, sensible people do con
ceive such abrupt attachments?"
II am convinced that it happens fire.
quently.
ooh, come, not frequently?"
"Well-sometimes, she amended.
81 could give you dozen instances. F"
He lacked the heart to argue with her.
1t would have been like breaking a but
terhy on a wheel, and, after all, there
might be more sentiment in fin de steele
humanity than he thought. Women have
wonderful intuition in these matters.
well, suppose we let that slide for
the moment and proceed to Indictment
No. 2. 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 a speci-
men of that Objectionable class of fic-
tion which you regretted to see was
growing so preyalent-thea amateur noy-
ell, born of vanity and lack of whole
some occupation.
Her voice died away with a tremor.
He had only stated the truth, but the
fact did not prevent the speechless Mr..
Everdene from feeling as if lie 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.
Il 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 l should hurt you'll 1t was
harsh, monstrous. No doubt 1 was in
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 cruel:'
II was brutal He would have com
mitted blacker 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
I'm 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
tric bell
''Lady Hilyard, you know the Arab
custom Of taking salt with ones friends?
AS a token Of good Will permit me to
give you the prosaic English equivalent
Of a 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 wonderful
sweetmeats from round the corner, She
asked permission to pour it ont 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 tables between
them they chatted for awhile, and then
the clock on the mantelpiece struck 9.
She rose with a pretty gesture Of dis
may, like a second Cinderella.
''Do you know, Mr.. Everdene, that 1
have been here whole hour wasting
your valuable timer
Il thought it had been ten minutes, :"
he answered, 'and the pleasantest Of
my life. =
Every prettyr" 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 50 considerate,
f'Please don't thank me. 1t is who
owe you debt Of gratitude You have
taught me something l never expected
to learn. "
"What?"
"That the conduct of your hero and
heroine was not improbable at all =
Their eyes met, the woman ! dropped,
self conscious, pleased.
"You really mean that?'
''On my soul do
The most delicious softness was in
her voice.
1T makes me so proud ana happy to
think | have convinced you.
There was a silence. She smoothed a
wrinkle III her suede glove. He twisted
a button on his coat. Then she aroused
herself. with little laugh, and extend
ed her hand.
"Well, goodby, Mr.. Everdene, and
once more, thank you p
He pressed her fingers ever so lightly
her proselyte.
''Not goodby, he murmured. eau
revoir P'-Black and White.