The Delta independent., 1896-11-25
Copyright. 1895, by
Robert Earr.

! Tears.
''How dare you say such thing to
me?' she cried, hotly. "Do you fatter
yCurself that because l came here to
al; business, L have also some personal
interest in you? Surely even your self
| eonccit doesn't run SO far rs that"
Wentworth stood silent, and Miss
| Brew ster picked up her psrasol, scat
| ;ering, in her haste, the other articles
on the floor. If she expected Went
worth to put them on the table again
| she was disappointed, for, although
his eyes were upon her, his thoughts
we're far away upon the Atlantic. ocean.
Il shall not stay here to be insuited,'
she cried, resentfully, bringing Went
worth's thoughts back with n rush to
| London again. 1T is intolerable that
| sou should use such an expression to
re. Playing with you, indeed!"
Il had no intention of insulting you,
| Miss brewster"
What is it but an insult TO use such
IA phrase? 1t implies that l either
| care for you or"
And do your"
DO / what?''
"Do you care for mc?"
| her Earasol and smoothcd them with
! some precision. Her eyes Were bent
5n what she was doing, and consequent
| IL they did not meet those of her aues-
| TONER.
II care foT you ne n friend, of course"
| she said, at last, still giving much at
| tcntion to the parasol. ''if l had not
| looked on you as a friend l would rot
| have come here to consult with you,
| would ~
NO, suppose not. Well, ] am sorry
l used the words that displcased you,
and ROW, ii you viii permit it, We viii
| 20 on with the consultation"
1T wasn't L pretty thing TO say"
I'm afraid I'm not good at saying
pretty things"
"You used to be-" The parasol be-
| ing arranged to her liking she glanced
up at him. still you said you were
sorry, and that's all man can say-or
woman either, for that's what / said
myself when l came in. Now, il you
will Pick up those things from the
liloor-thanks-we will talk about tine
mine"
Wentworth seated himself in his
chair again and said:
"Well, what is it you wish to know
about the mine?'
Nothing at ALL"
But you said you wanted informa-
ton"
What n funny reason to give! And
how a man misses all the fine points
OF conversation. No; just because
asked for information, you might have
l;nown that it was what really want
ed"
I'm afraid I'm very stupid. I hate
to ask boldly what you did want, but
J would like to know"
~ want q vote of confidence. told
you ] was sorry because OF n certain
episode. / waited to see il you trust
ed me, and found you didn't. There"
~ think that was hardly a fair test.
You sec the facts did not belong to me
alone"
Miss Brewster sighed, and slowly
shook her head.
THAT wouldn't have made the least
difference if you had really trusted me-"
"Oh, say! You couldn't expect &
man to-
"Yes, could r..
"What, merely friend?"
Miss Brewster nodded.
'Well, all I can say" remarked Went
worth, with n laugh, sis that friend
ship has made greater strides in the
states than it has in this country"
Before Jennie could reply the useful
boy knocked at the door and brought in
n ten tray, which he placed before his
Innster, then silently departed, closing
the door noiselessly.
"Siay ! offer you n cup of tea?''
please. What n curious custom this
drinking of tea is in business offices.
| think shall write an article on "A
Nation of Tea Tipplcrs.' IL were an
enemy to England, instead of being its
greatest friend, I would descend with
my army on this country between the
hours of four and five in the afternoon.
and so take the population unawares
while it W as drinking tea What would
you do il the enemy came down on you
during such q sacred national cere-
mony?"
81 would offer her n cup of tea" re-
piled Wentworth, suiting the action TO
the phrase.
"Mr. Wentworth" said the girl, arch
| Iy, you're improving. That remark
was distinctly good. Still, you must
| remember that come as n friend, not
as an enemy. Did you ever read the
'I,abes in the WoodT It is a most in
structive but pathetic work Of fiction.
You remember the wicked uncle, sure
ly. Well, you and Mr.. Kenyon remind
me of the babes, poor. innocent, little
things, and I>ondon-this part of it
is the dark and pathless forest. am
the bird lowering about you, waiting 10
cover you with leaves. The leaves, To
do any good, ought TO be checks fiutter-
ing down on you, but, alas! haven't
any. II negotiable checks only grew
On trees. life would not be no difficult"
Miss Brewster slipped her tea pensive-
i L.. ,..l II-<..A.-AA -. IL L..