The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-17


this young woman, on the eve of marriage
with another mana marriage into which
no one had forced her-should be looking
with a look of ptlful appeal ia her eyes,
and with tears, at a man who had fiirtei
with her five years before Sull silly, silly
as IL was IL was so.
Cortrell, on his part, looked extremely
uncomfortable. lie may have been wish
ing that he had sent the old gloves by
mail or by messenger; but then, again.
he may not have been altogether sorry to
see that appealing look and those swim
ming eyes.
IL don't know" he stammered. Per,
haps l ought not to have brought them.
But don't see why not. l don't see how
/ could have kept them could IT.
"You might have burned them, mightn't
your Edna said, with a rather mischiev-
Gus smile
80 might" Cortrel answered quickly.
II give you my word. Miss Barsom-I beg
you TO believe mel never thought OF
that"
The manifest sincerity with which this
was said and the ingenious blush that ac-
companied the explanation were irressti-
BILE. Edna Barsom burst into hearty
laugh which Cortrell was not long i'm
taking up.
But at that moment the
street door was opened and
then the door of the library, where
the two stood laughing over an old pair
of gloves, and the servant girl, in h.r
directed and distinctive manner pro-
nounced mister Bristol"
There was nothing really embarrassing
in the siluation the embarrassment was
only apparent. The event might have
been different II oil the persons concerned
had looked at the case as II should
have been looked at. But while the GIRL
with characteristic candor, saw only ihs
reality, Cortrell was, for some reason, I'M
pressed chiefly by the appearance. Bris-
toll perhaps naturally, reflected only Cor
trelrs view.
He az once walked 20 the table and,
lifting the gloves, said, with eyebrows
raised, "A present? Won't you let me into
your joker
oIIow are you. Bristol2" cortrelI said.
holding out his hand. ~ hope you haven't
forgotten me-"
The worst Of 1t was that Edna was stu
laughing. And there were the gloves.
Bristol appeared 20 think that the situa-
ton demanded a display of quiet dignity.
II remember you perfectly, Mr.. Cerueii,'s
he said bowling slightly. May l ask
again what amuses you so muchY
Edna became serious In a moment, ands
as she became serious she became angry.
1T isn't very much OF joke, MIR. Bris-
toll" she said. "If you insist on having
IT. however Mr.. Cortrell has Just found an
old pair Of gloves OF mine and has brought
them 10 me, because 1t didn't occur TO him
10 put them in the Gre. Isn't II funny?'
II hardly think So" Bristol answered.
.Perhaps I might appreciate the joke bet-
ter IL j knew where Mr.. Cortren found
these gloves"
AS cortrell opened his mouth to maks
some answer 90 him, Edna, putting up her
hand said: This Is my business. I'M
afraid you will not have an opportunity
to fully appreciate the joke, Mr. Bristol
until you manage to get yourself into
better humor for that sort OF thing"
She very carefully folded UP the gloves
and laid them behind the clock on the
mantelplece. while Cortrell stared at her
and Bristol stood biting his neither Up
why, I've hardly had ten words with
you yet, Mr.. c6rtrel," Edna said, with n
wicked glance at the other man. fiease
don't 20 yet. Perhaps-perhaps may
ind something of interest to show you, It
you'll wait little longer
Then perhaps had better call at some
other time" Bristol said.
IL was a very awkward situation indeed
no toll could not stay after this last OBJ
rervation Of his, and Cortrel could noe
run away after Edna's pressing Invitations
Half an hour later Cortrell said;
What did you mean by saying that you
might hnd something interesting to show
| me?"
"Did ~ said Edna. do you hold me to
M IL occurred to me suddenly. Wait
here" =.
She ran out Of the room and after lit
tie while came back holding something
behind her.
nDo you recognize this?" And she sud-
denly produced an old faded red velvet
1
sides pulled down and an absurd brush az
| one side.
"By Jlngop Cortrell exclaimed.
Yves" said Edna. "You had 10 so hSms
bareheaded."
III was that night. wasn't II, after We
had all been TO the mill"
Remember the water rats2"
"And YOU would pull off your gloves ard
| try 70 reach pond lilies"
/ Edna nodded. And you WOULDN'T give
them back 10 me"
Jack stole my cap. didn't he7"
yves. and I made him give Il to me-to
keep in pledge for my gloves.
where did you find that old cap MISS
| Barsom?"
'sAbout a week ago" Edna said, look
| ing a little confused. Il dldnt know you
we're coming home then
"Of course you were going to send Il ia
me?"
"Of course was"
"By the way, didn't It occur to you "a
burn h2"
Then both burst cut laughing once more-
| AS for the story that Bristol and Cor
! trell had high words after that and that
mutual friends with difficulty prevented
| them from hghting duel, there never was
| ANYTHING In &c. Bristol was a sensibls
man al bottom, even though irascibie at
times. He made some sort Of apology to
Edna Barsom for his exhibition Of tenn
/ per.
But the Bristol-Barsom wedding was
postponed IN a quiet way. It never came
| or. The Cortrell-Barsom wedding came
| of instead, though not until year after
/ the Incident OF the Mephisto cap.