The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-25
CHAPTER X.

y
ing at her and then around the room as
if to make sure that he had not strayed
into the wrong apartment
you're home rather early today,
amt you? What's the matter?" asked
the young woman, merely glancing at
him as she bit off thread.
'"Thanks for your interest in my
movements" he replied stiffly, ''but 1
am not aware that nave any more bust
ness elsewhere than here. "
She suspended work for a moment to
stare at him, and then, seeming to have
suddenly found a very amusing idea,
laughed heartily, causing Chester to
fedden with embarrassment, for he did
not at all like being laughed at by a
pretty girl. And she was pretty, I'M
doubtedly, whoever she was. If a deli.
cately pink and white complexion, blue
eyes, regular features and fossy golden
hair fuffed out into cloud of bewil-
dering curls for "bang" and ripping
in charming disorder over q snowy neck
cannot make a girl at least pretty in q
young mans eyes, there must be some-
thing radically wrong about the young
man.
"Don't get huffy," she said merrily.
'I'm not laughing at you. forgot for
moment that we were strangers, on
your side. You probably never saw me
before, and I suppose you are surprised
to see me in here, but I've seen you lots
of times over the banisters, going out
or coming in, and know your friend,
so that's how it seemed at first as if I
was acquainted with you too. "
81 was not aware" replied Chester,
frigidly bowling, "that l had had the
honor of meeting you before"
mo, you hadn't, except once in the
hall, and then my veil was down, so
you couldn't have seen me to know me.
But I live here"
"Here?'
Gin the house. I've got little room
in the attic, up three flights. It's colder
than Greenland ~ there. l make fancy
necAUIes, you see. 1CsG OF the WUrk DO
on the sewing machine, and 1 don't
mind the cold when I'm running the
machine, but there's good deal Of fin
ishing off to do with the needle, and
that's the time Jack Frost gets his work
in, especially if enc is hot from running
the treadle. THAI first cold snap Of the
winter 1 caught cold up there that
thought would kill me. Mr.. Latham
heard me coughing and asked the land
lady about me, and when she told him
how 1 was fixed he said might come in
here and sew whenever / liked in day.
time, while he WIS away, because his
room is always 50 nice and warm. l
think he's awful kind, dent your"
eyes, indeed / do" answered the
young man heartily, and then he added
in bantering tone, "but should hard
~ think he would have tho heart to re-
strict you TO the time of his absence.
"Why SOP
"You make such charming domestic
picture that your presence quite converts
a bachelor don into home, and with
such tempting compartment
"No nonsense now, young man. Use
your jawbone with caution. Men have
been killed with that sort Of weapon. f"
"Oh, not this sort Of jawbone. I"
"Maybc. can't be sure until know
you better"
"That no time may be lest in your
doing so, and with basis Of conven-
tionality for the acquaintance, permit
me to introduce myself as''-
Chester Sewall. Yes, know. / ask
ed Mr.. Latham, and he told me. My
name is Lottie Beldcn. F"
The young man made bow of exag-
gerated formality before her. She looked
quizzically at him for moment, with
her little golden head cooked on one
side like contemplative bird, then
springing up executed deep, old fash
toned minuet courtesy and bounded
back 10 her scat laughing.
How strangely this light hearted
girls presence had dissipated the shad-
ows about himl Though an entire stran-
ger to him and one in whose personality
he had not the slightest concern, the in
fecSious 1acrriment of her frank, happy
nature had made him smile, and even
laugh, when five minutes before meet
ing her he could have cried had he not
felt it unmanly to do so.
"What have you there on your arm?''