The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-24

1
Why did you do itf"
"There didn't seem to be-any Other
way" replied Ellsworth. Then, meeting
Mrs. Romer's eyes, he said: "But you
needn't laugh at man. It's rough"
"l'm not laughing" said Mrs. Romer.
"I'm very much annoyed"
Ellsworth.
"You haven't told mo why you did II, )"
said Mrs. Romer. "And there's another
gun. That's the start, isn't it,"
II couldn't help it," said Ellsworth.
"Don't you see, when man sees you ev.
cry day-talks to you-and-and all that,
doesn't it stand to reason, Vii may call
you VioletP"
Certainly not" said Mrs. Romer
why, I'm old enough to be your mother
very nearly"
"oh, rotp' said Ellsworth. "You look
awfully young and-and jolly"
Mrs. Romer shook her head.
II put my complexion ON every morn.
Ing" she said.
II don't believe it" said Ellsworth.
And ! dye my hair" continued Mrs.
Romer.
II don't care" said Ellsworth.
And I'm married." said Mrs. Ro.
mer.
Ellsworth returned to tho obdurate bit
of fluff on his knee.
II suppose" he said slowly, "that does
matter" Ellsworth looked up straight
into Mrs. Romer's eyes. "You are laugh.
ing" he protested. tits beastly rough
ON chap"
The shouts of the spectators on the
banks, on the bargos and in the boats grew
in volume. A bell changed, the signal from
the bank that a boat was within humping
distance of another. Excited men tore
along the towing path with rattles and
shouted the names of their colleges In en-.
couragement as the eights came up the
course. But Ellsworth heard none Of these
things. He heard only the laughter that
bubbled from the lips of Mrs. Romer.
ooh, you absurd boy! she said. "Therel
Exeter has made bump, and you haven't
even oheered."
II wasn't thinking of the races" said
Ellsworth. IA man doesn't think of things
like that when he's''-
"We ought to be getting back" said
Mrs. Romer as she watched the Fights
padding back from the winning post tc
their respective barges.
Ellsworth unmoored the punt and began
punting up stream After a stroke or two
he stopped, and trailing the pole in the
water behind him said, II suppose ]
mustn't come and see you-now.
why mott" said Mrs. Romer. ~ was
hoping to SEQ u lot of you when you came
up to town--or down, you call 1t, don't
your
"You mean itS' said Ellsworth. "Be- |
cause, Of course, I should be-only the
thought perhaps-after what has hap |
pened"-
what has happened2"
~ mean-after last night and-and |
what I've said today-but / couldn't help |
it, you know, but / thought you might |
find it little awkward my meeting'-
"Oh, there's Dick on the barge" said
Mrs. Romer. She waved welcoming
parasol, and lifted straw hat on the Elk.
eter barge identified Mr.. Romer. Ellsworth
punted alongside and was forthwith in
troduced to Mr. Romer.
Mrs Romer held Esworth's hand mo.
ment at parting.
you mustn't" she said, "take it toe
seriously-what said"
You Observation-Disclosures mindingf"
"No," laughed Mrs. Romer, "about my
hair, and so on. Goodby. We shall see
you in town"
GOOD looking boy" said Mr.. Romer aa
he walked up through Christchurch
meadows with his wife.
Isn't hoP" said Mrs. Romer. Then,
looking sideways up at her husband, she
proceeded: "And, oh, Dick, what do you
think? He's In love with me-awfully in
love, poor boyr'
What, another! Really, vi, the public
prosecutor ought to take you up"
"And-Dick-he kissed me!''
"Oh, vi, GOMEZ began Mr.. Romer.
ut was such an absurd little kiss-on
my back hair. could scarcely feel 1t,
and I couldn't laugh because-because,
Of course, he thought I didn't know, and
now he's so miserable about it,"
But why should he be miserable" be-.
gan Mr.. Romer, "if he''-
"Oh, don't DO logical, Dickl You don't
mind, Dick, do your
Mind" said Mr.. Romer, selecting a
,igar from his case. "Of course motif
40 doesn't.'
They walked on for little in silence,
Mr.. Romer putting at his cigar.
"Well, " he said ct length, you're very
erious, vi. What are you thinking off
The silly boy?"
Stupid old Diok!" said Mrs. Romer
,lancing at her husband. 81 was think.
ng of you. You are so sensible, Dick-so
horribly sensible. '-Ludgate