Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-01-28
AN APOLOGY.

was quite little alarmed when
found myself in the room, but after my
behavior on the previous evening it was
absolutely necessary that should see
Miss Power. began bluntly. II have
come, +" said, ''to 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. 81 do
not understand, :" said she. "Did yon
trip on my dressF Well, at any rate, I
hate apologies. Will you have some tear"
''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, I had no idea"-
eyes, it was an abominable crush, "
put in Miss Power hastily. ST wonder,
Mr. Radcliff, if you would mind ring
ing the bell?"
"You remember" explained. as I
returned from the bell, chow just as
we reached the door
''Oh, dear mep' cried Miss Power
suddenly. "This teapot is such a silly
thing! I hope nothing went over you. "
"Not at all, said politely.
She examined her dress carefully, and
I waited in patience. 'tI think tea
stain is worse than wine stain, don t
you, Mr.. Radcliff?" she went on. ''And
| one can t put salt ON it either.
"No.'' assented cautiously. "But
when we were 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 is!
Zone lump, please" said L "And
then some one pushed me, and I suppose
some one pushed you, and the next thing
I knew was that our cheeks were
"Mr. Radcliffe" I" 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-
plained eagerly. "But have had it on
nv conscience to explain to. you. You
see. 1 couldn't help our cheeks touch
| Ing. " "Mr. Radcliff, - said Miss Power,
rising, "if you will not leave stupid ac-
cidepts aloua''- mo, no. said /
quickly. .s"That is what I wanted to-
1 owe you an apology. You see. it
i wasn't that - Wasn't what?" asked
| Miss Power after pause, and as If she
| did not want to ask it. 1t wasn't an
accident" I murmured in a shamefaced
way. / felt she was looking at me, and
I 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 dorit JIM
vent nonsense like that, and let MS both
forget very unpleasant episode u
suppose it was unpleasant, said du'
biously. Highly" she said, with as
perity, and turning away began TO ar
range some flowers in q vase.
s'But You see, :" began in shufh1ne
m onner, 81 can't rest-I mean 1 want
you' to say you forgive me. II don't
thin,S," (" observed Miss Power tranquil
Iy. "t.1at there is anything to forgive,
seeing that it was entirely accidental. =
1 will &C cufess that her persistence bal.
fled me. falmost began to think 1t must
have been an accident Still, perse-
yered. 1t ws,S my duty. But 1t WASH
an accident - cried dolefujly. Mr..
Radcliff, you iGe 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
| iurried. "You don't know what hap
pened, then?" I asked meekly. "We
came away, suppose. :" said Miss Pow
er, with the assumption of carelessness
still upon her. Eyes" I said meaning
", s'after something else. " Upon my
word, you are very tedious" said she.
"I neither understand you nor wish to
\ understand you" I am sure she was
agitated. "Were you not aware, ask
ed, "that THAT r. Miss Power
made no remark, but was much occu-
pied with her howers-''tnat I-well-
/ thought you must have known. Still
1 got no help, and her back was toward
me now ST took advantage Of the jux-
opposition to''-I heaved a sigh and
got it oyer-'kiss youP'
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. I said earnest
II, ''this tone and"- How 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,
jand-well, She had been polite enough
when Icame IN. But she was obviously
very angry indeed, and this confounded
me. I stammered more apologies q
you-the temptationP' I murmured
"Temptationl' l' she echoed, with scorn.
"a man is poor creature who cannot,
who has no self restraint and must in
! suit every girl he runs across. and
: "Oh. but it isn't every girl, T" I cried