The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-02-01
A DI FFICULT APOLOGY.

A DIFFICULT APOLOGY.
? was little alarmed when I found
myself in the room, but after my be-
\ havior on the previous evening it was
absolutely necessary that I should see
Miss Power I began bluntly. II have
come" said, '"to offer an apology for
for what happened last night She open
ed her eyes and regarded me with an in
nocent stare. in which, however, some
haughtiness mingled II do not under
stand" said she. Ibid you trip on my
dress? Well, at any rate ] hate apologies.
Will you have some tea?' Thank you,"
said I, 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 abomi-
nable crash,' put in Miss Powers, hastily
Iwonder, Mr.. Radcliff, if you would mind
ringing the bell?" "You remember"
explained, as I returned from the bell,
how just as we reached the door"
"Oh, dear me-" cried Miss Power, sud-
denly, this teapot is such a silly thing!
hope nothing went over YOU" "Not at
ALL" l said, politely. She examined her
dress carefully, and I waited in patience
Il think a 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
we were being pressed SO hard against
the door, and trying to get out, you were
on my right, and the rush suddenly sent
me You do take sugar, don't your
lnterposed Miss Power, abruptly. 'How
hot the weather isr' Zone lump, please
said l. "And then someone pushed me,
and | suppose someone pushed you, and
the next thing 1 knew was that our cheeks
WERE Mr.. Radcliff," interrupted Miss
ja1y 1,11 1l,%
thlnk 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 explained,
eagerly" But [ had it on my conscience
10 explain to you. You see, I couldn't
nelp our cheeks touching" "Mr Rad
CHI, said Miss Power, rising, eff you will
not leave stupid accidents alone" "No
wanted to- h. I owe you an apology.
lou see, 1t wasn't that" Wasn't what?''
asked Miss Power after pause, and as
she dld not want to ask it. "It wasn't
ah accident" 1 murmered, in a shame
laeed way. 1 felt she was looking at me
anu felt, too, that her cheeks were Grim
sui then she laughed an uneasy, discord-
alt sort of q laugh. "You can make your
sel extremely ridiculous" she said, suave
nAe mat, and let us both forget an I'm.
p pie episode" ST suppose it was un.
rh1easaht' said I, obviously. Highly
h ne saiu' wit asperity, and, turning away
sn- 10 arrange some flowers in vase
sh, nut you see," I began again, in &
stunning manner, ct can't rest-I mean
do want you to say you forgive me-" q
o,,,,,e mink, observed Miss Power, tran
say sais, mat there is anything to forgive
'e ,,i,g that it was entirely accidental
ma "41i confess that her persistenc baf1et
hsa, almost began to think it must have
ws wa an accident. Still, persevered; i
ci as my duty. But it wasn't an &C
vo u."e, cried, dolefully. ''Mr. Radcliff
w. are lntplerable,' said she, quickly
II ~, yourself have just explained tina
IN was the crowd. and" EYES," pu
wbs eagerly, that was when our cheeks
im m~u We Eyes, yes" she exclaimed
ada Rauently. But that was not ALL"
Mt y: MISS Power elevated her eyebrows
inSie rao not face me. Really she said
sha asly, but could have sworn tina
hann"as hurried. "You don't know wha
caprpeneo, then?" asked, meekly. "W
viii away, suppose" said Miss Power
unon me assumption Of carelessness still
tsr a ner. YES" said, meaningly, "af
yon something else" upon my word
unde are very tedious" said she. II neithe
yon s,and you, nor wish to understan
yon am sure she was agitated. "Wer
-M aware" asked, "that I-that
~. MISS Power made no remark, bu
th.. ucn occupied with her dowerS-
~s t-well-I Thought you must hav