Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-07-15
PART I.
COPYRIGHT. 1904. nv
BRET HARTe.

She tripped out into the passage,
returning with the tray which she put
on the table beside Clarence, and then
standing back little and with her
hands tucked soubrette fashion in the
tiny pockets of her apron, gazed at
him with mischievous smile.
1t was impossible not TO smile back
as he nibbled the crisp Mexican cake
and drank the old mission wine. And
Susy's tongue trilled an accompani-
ment to his thanks
Lord! it seems so nice to be here
just you and me, Clarence-like in the
old days-with nobody naggin' and
snoopin' round after you. Don't be
greedy, Clarence. but give me n cake"
She took one and finished the dregs of
his glass.
Then, sitting on the arm of his chair,
she darted violet ray of half reproach
and half mischievousness into his
amused and retrospectiveeye There
used to be room for two in that chair,
Klarus."
The use of the old childish diminu-
tive for his name seemed to him as
natural as her familiarity, and he
moved a little sideways TO make room
for her with an instinct of pleasure,
but the same sense of responsibility
that had characterized his reflections.
Nevertheless, he looked critically into
the mischievous eyes and said quietly:
where is your husband?"
There was no trace of embarrass-
ment, apology or even of conscious
ness in her pretty face, as she replied.
passing her hand lightly through his
hair:
20, Jim Five packed him Oft"
Packed him Off" echoed Clarence,
slightly astonished.
'Yes-to Fair Plains-full tilt after
your wife's buggy. You see, Clarence,
after the old cat-that's your wife,
please-left, / wanted to make sure
she had gone, and wasn't hangin'
round to lead you off again, with your
leg tied to her apron string, like n
chickens! Mol said to jim: Just
you ride after her until you see she's
safe and sound in the down coach from
Fair PLAINS, without her KNOWN ii.
4 and III she's inclined to hang back or
wobble any, you post back here and
let me know!' / told him would stay
and look after you, TO see you didn't
bolt, tool" She laughed and then
added: But I didn't think should
4 fall into the old ways so soon, and have
such nice time. Did you. Clarence p
She looked so irresponsible sitting
there with her face near his. and so
childishly or perhaps thoughtlesslv
happy, that he could only admire her
levity, and even the slight shock that
her hippant allusion to his wife had
given him seemed to him only weak
nf ic al
the true philosophy? Why should not
4 these bright eyes see things more clear
4 ~ than his own? Nevertheless. with
his eyes still fixed upon them, ne con
tinued:
and Jim was willing 10 goP"
She stopped, with her fingers still
lifting a lock OF his hair. "Why, YES.
you silly-why shouldn't he? I'd like
to see him refuse. Why, Lord. Jim
will do anything / ask him" She put
down the lock of hair. and suddenly
looking full into his eyes said: That's
& just the difference between him and
me and you and-that womani"
"Thcn YOU love him?''
about as much as You love her"
she said, with an unaffected laugh.
"only ne don't wind me around his
finger"
No doubt she was right. for all her
thoughtlessness, and yet he was going
TO fight about that woman tomorrow
No!-he forRot-he was going TO fight
Capt. Pinckney because he was like
heri
Susy had put her finger on the crease
between his brows which this suppose
ton had made, and tried 90 rub it out.
you know it as well as I do. Clar-
ence." she said, with pretty wrink-
ling Of her own brows, which was her
nearest approach to though .fulness.
you know you never reallf liked her.
only you thought her ways were grand
CT and more proper than mine. and you
know you were always n little bit OF
snob and prig, too, dear boy! And
Mrs. Peyton was-bess my sou1l-a
Bcnham, and a planters daughter. and
II was only a picked-up orphanl
That's where Jim is better than you.
Now, sit still, eooseyl-even il I don't
AXE him as much. O, / know what
|9p're always thinking think
we're both exaggerated and the
eal- amt your Don't you think
heap better to be exaggerated
Ihentricul about things that are
ptimental and romantic than 20
awfully possessed and overcome
pat things that are only real
tfle, Spu needn't stare ct me 40. It's
uei You've bad your fiii Of grandeur