Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-12-14
AN APOLOGY.


apology for-for what happened last
night"
She opened her eyes and regarded
me with IN innocent stare, in which,
however, some haughtiness mingled.
al do not understand" said she "Did
you trip on my dress Well, at any
rate, | hate apologies. viii YOU have
some tea ?"
Thank you,' said |, seating myself
and putting my hat on the floor. "You
see, when we came out of the hall and
there was that rush, | had no idea" :
"Yes, it was an abominable crush,
put in Miss Power hastily. Il won.
der, Mr.. Radclif. if you would mind
ringing the bell?''
"You remember" | explained, as |
returned from the bell, chow just a:
We itdGUttl tiG uOUI.
"Oh, dear me y cried Miss Power
suddenly. This teapot is such silly
thing! | hope nothing went over
you
Not at all, said politely.
She examined her dress carefully
and | waited in patience Il think a
tea stain is worse than a wine stain,
don't you. Mr.. Radclif?" she went
on. "And one can't put salt on il
either"
NO" | assented cautiously. "But
when we were being pressed so hard
against the door and trying to get out,
you were on my right, and the rush
sent me-
"You do take sugar, don't you 2
interposed Miss Power abruptly.
"How hot the weather is 2
"One lump, please" said l. "And
then some one pushed me, and sup
posed some one pushed you, and the
next thing | knew was that our cheeks
we're
"Mr. Radclif,," interrupted Miss
Power quickly, her cheeks flaming
Il think we had better forget silly
things and 60 on with our tea She
spoke with some dignity and even
with All air of rebuke.
That's what want to do" | ex-
planned eagerly. But have had it
on my conscience to explain to you.
You sec, | couldn't help our cheeks
touching Mr.. Radclif,," said Mis-,
Power rising, 'if you will not leave
stupid accidents alone" mo, no.
said quickly. THAT is what | want.
ed to- owe you an apology. You
see, il wasn't that" Wasn't what y
asked Miss Powder after a pause, and
as if she did not want to ask il. III
wasn't an accident" | murmered in 4
shamefaced way. | felt she was look.
ing ut me, and | felt, too, that her
cheeks were crimson, and then she
laughed an uneasy, discordant sort Of
laugh. You can make yourself ex.
tremely ridiculous she said knavely.
"But please don; invent nonsense like
that, and let us both forget a very un.
pleasant episode > Il suppose it was
unpleasant, said dubiousiy. High.
~" she said, with asperity, and turn,
ing away began to arrange some
flowers in vase.
But you see," | began in a shut.
fling manner, Il can't rest i mean |
want you to say you forgive me- Il
don't think observed Miss Power
TRANQUILITY, that there is anything tc
forgive, seeing that it was entirely nc.
cidental." | will confess that hei
persistence bafiied me. almost be-
gan to think it must have been an nc.
cident. Still. persevere. 1t was my
duty. "But it wasn't an accident"
cried dolefully. "Mr. Radcliii, you
are inlolerable,' said she quickly
"You yourself have just explained that
i. was the crowd, and"-"Yes," | put
in eagerly, "that was when our checks
when we"-"Yes, YES" she excla i'm.
ed impatiently But that was not
ALL" | added. Miss Power elevated
her eyebrows, but did not face me-
"Really," she said indiilerently, but |
could have sworn that she WIS fur
ried. "Iou don't know what hap
pened, then p | asked meekly. 1--WE
came away, | suppose" said Miss
Power, with the assumption Of care.
lessness still upon her. Yes" | said
meaningly, "aiter something else. '
Upon my word, you are very tedious,
said she. Il neither understand YOU
nor wish to understand you" | am
sure she was agitated. Were you
not aware" asked, that that l.
Miss Power made no remark, but
was much occupied with her flowers
that I-well-I thought you must
have known" Still | got no help,
and her back was toward me now
Il took advantage Of the juxtapositlol
to"-I heaved sigh and got it over
kiss YOU ."
Miss Power turned round abruptly
and her eyes were full ot honest anger
She surveyed me with great dignity
and then, in very cold tones, said
You seem determined 10 use the car
and bells 10 day Indeed said
earnestly this tone aud-"llow
/ dared y,, = S,iI Miss Power fietcelv