The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-09

On his way back to the house, Mr..
Bolton realized that he had dropped d.
awkward ruse and that his partner
would in all likelihood think him horn
mad. But there would at least be PHI
answer of some sort, q telegram de-
iivc1ed at the IyersoG house and thus
would give him a descent excuse for
sudden departure. He might, at least,
have thought of some more rational
message: but no, he could not think;
all his powers of thinking, together
with all his other faculties, mental,
moral and spiritual, had died within
him at the first blast that had issued
from that adjoining room.
Mrs. Iverson met him on the trohJ
porch, smiling kindly and twittlinS
him on his early morning walk =" on
are a veritabIe sky-lark," she said.
But don't try to make me believe that
this is your habit III warrant you
haven't been out of bed this early since
YOU grew beard. It's our fine sea air
and quiet, virtuous home life that has
done it. We shall make a good boy of
YOU if you stay with us long enough"
He had no answer, but mumbled and
suffered, hopelessly distraught Mr..
Iverson joined them and they went in
ofhe breakfast room. When the meal
wds half over there was a light rustic
of garments on the stairs, sprlghtly
step, and she glided into tt e room,
)owing n swift good morning" to Boil
on between the kisses which she gave
her uncle and aunt. She laughiHgIy
offered her apologies for her hardness:
It's very wrong, / know. But | must
be late if Mr.. Bolton will persist in
making such a horrid tumult with his
window. He quite spoiled my morning
nap and / lay in bed until | got to
leep again" She directed the merriest
parking chances at the offender while
she delivered this reproof From his
heart there rose like incense. a silent
prayer of gratitude that he had es-
capped before she began the accompani-
nent to her morning nap.
How beautiful she was i'm her airy
morning gownl How bright were her
eyes! How rich the wavy hair parted
back from her low smooth brow! How
delicate the bloom ON her cheeks!
How delicious in curve and color were
her lips-but oh. speak not her lips.
Have we not read in our nursery tales
of a princess whose lips dropped
toads? Toads! Are they more re-
Voting, more inconsonant with refine
ment of this mouth than--eheu! ehue!
Never could he forget the weary af-
flictions of THAT endless morning
Would Stone never reply? Mrs. Iyer-
sons small talk almost maddened him,
and as for her-he could not look at
her.
They spent the morning on the sun
ny front porch, and Bolton kept his
ear strained for the sound of a step on
| the graveled avenue. AT last it came
He bent his eyes on the furtherest
spot where the trees opened sufficient
| " to give him a glimpse of THE walk.
Yes, it was the messenger boy, Boil
ton could have wrung the Youngsters
neck when he saw how slow was his
pace. But he controlled his agitation
and stared at the clouds with eXag-
gerated indifference while Mrs. Iver-
son received the telegram. 1T is for
you, Mr.. Bolton. Nothing serious, l
hope" He took it with a nonchantance
and whisbled softly as he tore off the
wrapper. Certainly Bowser is here.
/ What's the matter with you? Go slow
with champagne Tonight, Stone"
/ Never mind the insulting ribaldry.
/ The message was here. Both Mrs.
| Iverson and Miss Renwood had seen
the bona fide messenger boy, and the
om;nous straw-colored envelope He
had his freedom. His heart gamboled
I for JOY, while, like a hypocrite, he
/ tried to act regret while announcing
that he was summoned by business to
New York.
Mrs. Iverson was STRONG in her de-