The news boy., 1896-03-21

egy fcr-for what happened last night" |
She opened her eyes and regarded me
with an innocent stare. in which, how.
ever. some haughtiness mingled 81
slo not understand" sai;i she. "Dil YOU
trip on my dress? We'll, at any rate. l
hate apologies. Will you have some
tea?" "Thank you," said 1, seating nv.
self 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, 1t was an abominable
crush,' put in Miss Power, hastily. 81
wonder, Mr.. Radcliff, if you would mind
ringing the bell?" "You remember"
I explained, as I returned from the
tell, show, just as we reached the
door" "Oh, dear me-" cried Miss
Power, suddenly, "this teapot is such
silly thing! 1 hope nothing went over
YOU" mot at ALL" said, politely.
She examined her dress carefully, and
i waited in patience. ~ think tea
stain is worse than a wine-stain, don't
you, Mr.. Radcliffe She went on; "and
one can't put salt on it either" NO."
assented, cautiously. But when we
were being pressed so hard against the
door, and trying to get ont, you were
on my right, and the rush suddenly
sent me" "You take sugar, don't
you?' interposed Miss Power, abrupt
~. "How hot the weather isl" "One
lump, please" said 1. And then some
one pushed me, and suppose someone
pushed you, and the next thing knew
was that our cheeks were" Mr..
kadcliff," interrupted Miss Power,
quickly, her cheeks flaming, II think
we had better forget silly things and
go on with our tea" She spoke with
some dignity, and even with an air of
rebuke.
"That's what I want to do" I ex-
piained, eagerly. But have had il on
Toy conscience to explain to you. You
see, l couldn't help our cheeks touch
ing" "Mr. Radcliff," said Miss Power,
rising, "if you will not leave stupid ac-
Cidents alone" NO. no." said /, 81
owe you an apology. You see. it wasn't
that" "Wasn't WHAT" asked Miss
Power, after a pause. and as if she did
rot want to ask it. 1T wasn't an acci-
dent" 1 murmured, in shamefaced
way. felt she was lool ing at me; and
felt, too, that her cheeks were Grim.
son, and then she laughed an uneasy
tiscorlant sort of laugh. "You can
make yourself extremely ridiculous
she said, suavsly. But please don't in.
vent nonsense like that, and let us both
forget an unpleasant episode" Il sup
pose it was unpleasant said I, du
b:ously. Highly" she said. with as
perity, and, turning away, began to ar
range some flowers in a vase.
but you sce," I began again, in g
shuffling manner, 81 can't rest-1 mean
l want you to say you forgive me- 81
don't Think" observed Miss Power, tran
gully, that there is anything to for
give, seeing that it was entirely a"ci
dental" / will confess that her persist
ence baff'ed me; almost began to think
it must have been an accident. Still,
persevercd; it was my duty. But il
wasn't an accident" cried. dolefully
''Mr. Radcliff, you are intoierable," said
she, quickly. You yourself have Just
explained that it was the crowd, and
"Yes," I PIT in, eagerly. "that was when
our cheeks-when We" "Ies, yes,
she exclaimed, impatiently. But that
was not ALL" added. Miss Power Gle
waited her eyebrows, but did not face me
"Really," She said, indifferently, but
could have sworn that she was fiurr!ed
"You don't know what happened, then?'
Iasked, meehly. "We came away. l sup
pose," said Miss Power, with the as
sumption of carelessness still upon her
"Yes," said, meaningly, after some