The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-01-22

y tAs j; = ~ gown, and as vir-
SS.SS ginia waited at the
soda counter her
observant eyes took in every
detail Of the charming summer
costume worn by a young woman
who was standing at the telephone.
Just now she was bit out of TEMPER.
express 1884," she called inpatient
ly. And as she waited for the desired
number she turned and looked at Vir.
ginia, who, quite overcome by the
heat-or was it for some other reason
had seated herself at no great dis
lance off and was welding palm leaf
fan theoretically.
The pretty woman turned abruptly
to the phone in response to call. lis
this Express 2SO4?" she said.
'It is Byron's number" Virginia
muttered to herself. II thought SO. -
The woman at the phone spoke
again:
Ihls IS Mr.. Curtis, is it not?"
Virginia ceased tanning and scarcely
disguised the fact that the converse
ton interested her.
Yes, am Miss Cleavebrook." con-
tinued the woman in the linen gown.
Then, Eyes, please"
A short pause ensued. The drug
store cuckoo clock struck two. Viz.
ginia excitedly imagined what Byron
Curtis must be saying at the other
end of the phone In his office, high
up in one Of the downtown buildings.
Miss Cleavebrook interrupted her
thoughts. eyes," she said, and vir-
ginia fancied perhaps that her voice
took on more tender tone. "Same
place." she. continued, with q little
laugh. "Did you? I'm so glad.
Thanks SO much for the flowers. You
really mustn't send them so often. It's
too extravagant of you"
Virginia gave little start. 'Theatre
again this week." questioned Miss
Cleavebrook doubtingly. II really
think twice week is too often"
But the man with whom she was
talking seemed to overcome her
scruples, and after agreeing to 20 with
him on Friday evening Of that week,
she said:
why don't you ask me WHY 1
called you up?" Then, seeming to for
get that she was in public place, she
laughed merrily at the response that
came back over the phone. Finally
she said:
mo, it wasn't that. I want very
much to see that book of After Din.
ner Speeches you spoke of. Can't
you bring it to me this evening? No?
Well, tomorrow, then. What are you
going to do tonight"
The fair questioner seemed but lit
tie pleased at the answer she received,
She tapped her foot impatiently, and
ID was q full minute before she spoke.
Virginia fancied she heard Byron
saying: II ON going to call on Miss
Allen tonight" For had he not asked
II he might come over to see her Tues.
day?
Miss Cleavebrook recovered her tenn.
per, If indeed she had lost it, and said:
Il thought I told you to drop that?"
Virginia arose hurriedly and walked
to the front Of the store. 1T is in
supportable," she muttered to herself.
"She speaks as if she owned him
When-"
Her thoughts overcame her as The
memory Of all that had happened be-
tween her and Byron Curtis rushed to
her mind.
The sharp ring Of the little bell re-
called her to herself and she looked up
to see Miss Cleavebrook leave the store
and 60 slowly down the street with a
happy smile dimpling her pretty face.
Virginia took an impulsive step to.
ward the telephone, needless Of the
clerk who stood behind the counter
and who began to gaze at her rather
curiously.
"He need not come to see me-" she
thought fercsly. "He would rather
be with her, Her voice nearly choked
her as she answered. express 1884,"
to the inevitable Number, pleased" y
The moments which followed were
agony to her. Her thoughts ran wild.
~ WAS only Last week that b. told me