Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1896-01-03
AN APOLOGY.

was quite little alarmed Wneh 1
found myself in the room, but after my
behavior on the previous evening twas
absolutely necessary that | should see
Miss Power. / began bluntly. II have
come, . said, Ito offer an apology for
for what happened last night.
She opened her eyes and regarded me
with an innocent stare, in which. how
ever, some haughtiness mingled. Il do
not understand, said she. did you
trip on my dress? Well, at any rate, l
hate apologies Will you have some teal"
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
Eyes, it was an abominable crush, =
put in Miss Power hastily. Il wonder,
Mr.. Radcliff, if you would mind ring
ing the bell?"
"You remember. | explained, as l
returned from the bell, how just as
we reached the door
sob, dear me y cried Miss Power
suddenly. This teapot is such silly
thing hope nothing went over You.
"Not at ALL Z / said politely.
She examined her dress carefully, and
/ waited in patience. Il think tea
stain is worse than wine stain, don {
you, Mr. Radclff?" she went on. And
one can I put salt on it either.
"No,' / assented cautiously. But
when we We're 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 your" in
terposed Miss Power abruptly. How
hot the weather isp'
Zone lump, please, said /. land
then some one pushed me, and | suppose
some one pushed you, and the next thing
] knew was that our cheeks were
'Mr Radcliff,'' 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 want to do, ex-
planned eagerly. but have had it on
my conscience to explain to you. You
see, couldn't help our cheeks touch
ing " 'Mr. Radcliff, " said Miss Power,
rising, "if you will not leave stupid ac-
cidents alone mo, no." said l
quickly. "That is what wanted to-
1 owe you an apology. You see, it
wasn't that. - Wasn't what?" asked
Miss Power after pause, and as if she
did not want to ask it. lit WASH t an
accident, l murmured in a shamefaced
way. felt she was looking at me, and
felt, too, that her cheeks were Grim
son, and then she laughed an uneasy,
discordant sort of laugh. You can
make yourself extremely ridiculous, "
she said suavely. But please don't in
vent nonsense like that, and let us both
forget a very unpleasant episode. II
suppose it was unpleasant, said du-
biously. "Highly," she said. with as
perity, and turning away began to ar
range some flowers in vase.
"But you see, 1 began in shutting
manner, ~ can't rest-I mean want
you to say you forgive me. !" II don't
think, +" observed Miss Power tranquil
", "that there is anything to forgive,
seeing that it was entirely accidental.
l will confess that her persistence baf-
fed me. Ialmost began to think it must
have been an accident. Still, perse-
vered. 1t was my duty. but it wasn't
an accident, l cried dolefully. Mr..
Radcliff, You are intolerable," said she
quickly. "You yourself have just ex-
planned that it was the crowd, and -
eyes" / put in eagerly, THAT was
when our cheeks-when We Eyes,
yes" she exclaimed impatiently. "But
that was not all, - / added. Miss Power
elevated her eyebrows, but did not face
me. REALLY, she said indifferently,
but I could have sworn that she was
furried. "You don't know what hap
pened, then?' 1 asked meekly. 1--WE
came away, / suppose, said Miss Pow
er, with the assumption of carelessness
still upon her. YES" said meaning
", latter something else. upon my
word, you are very tedious, " said she.
at neither understand you nor wish to
understand You. / am sure she was
agitated Were you not aware, = ask
ed, "that THAT ~ Miss Power
made no remark, but was much occu-
pied with her flowers that well
/ thought you must have known" Still
got no help, and her back was toward
me now. II took advantage Of the jux
Imposition to''--I heaved sigh and
got it over kiss youl''
Miss Power turned round abruptly,
and her eyes were full of honest anger.
She surveyed me with great dignity,
and then. in very cold tones, said, You
seem determined to use the cap and
bells today. Indeed, / said earnest
", "this tone and rHow dared
you?" said Miss Power fiercely. Now,
to say the truth, did not think she
would have made this fuss about it, be-
cause / imagined that she had known,
and--well, she had been polite enough
when came in. But she was obviously
very angry indeed. and this COMPOUNDED
me. stammered more apologies. Il
you-the temptation' / murmured.
Temptation - she echoed, with scorn.
"A man is a poor creature who cannot,
who has no self restraint and must in
suit every girl he runs across, and
"Oh, but il isn't every girl, " cried
hastily. 1t was only you. wouldn't
have taken advantage of any one else,