Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-10-08

Hilton" he said, plunging his hand
/ into the corn and laughing. THAT
would be a little too rauch like stran-
gers as long as we've known each 9TH
er."
The judge cleared his throat
Il have always decidedly dislihed the
informality of country people in calling
every one by their Christian Names
he said "It leaves no degree in init
macy. But L suppose it is impossible to
( know where 70 draw the line.
Isabel went back and knelt before the
fire again.
| "Oh, 1 don't know she said, shalx-
ing the pepper vigorously. "As long as
it is a custom 1 don't think any one
feels it mark Of special intimacy, and
so the custom is protected by being
| custom.
l The young man sat awkwardly in his
chair and was silent
They seemed to be closing the doors
against any Thought he might have of
closer intimacy with the family.
The judge left the room for a mo-
ment and came back with a lighted
lamp and placed it ON the claw legged
table in the center of the room. He had
put ON long dressing gown, faced with
crimson quilted silk, and now he drew
his great chair up before the fire and
stretched himself out in it
Come, Mr.. Holderman, j will let
you shake the pepper for me, and I'll
go down cellar and get some apples. -
Isabel looked at him with a merry
twinkle in her eyes as she held the han
die toward him and then ran out of the
room.
Clint grasped the handle Of the pop
per with the delight of success flooding
his veins. Isabel had never before given
him reason to believe that she cared for
him that could compare with that look
Daylight would find him sitting right
there, but he would beat the judges
watch and gain the opportunity of
speaking to her. 1t was a delightful
evening. The judge partook of the pop
corn and the conversation was more
than usually affable and entertaining
Isabel sat on the opposite side of the
fireplace and crocheted ON. a blue wool
scarf. There were pink spots burning
her cheeks, and her eyes were very
sweet. The time passed ON until the
noisy clock on the mantel clearly and
4
1t had been comparatively easy this
far, but now was the time when Clint
usually went home.
The real contest was about TO begin.
Il The judge showed his chair back to
the table, picked up paper and began
to read
From time TO time he glanced over
the top of his paper at the two talking
before the fire. but still read on.
II When the clock struck IL, he threw
the paper down, pulled his chair back
to the fire and drew the young man into
} an animated political discussion.
4 Isabel stirred about the room, correct
! ly putting things in order for the niHht.
II was nearing midnight. For the
last 10 minutes the conversation had
/ begun to lag.
There were cold minutes of complete
silence.
Had you noticed that had traded
| horses?" Clint asked in one painful
/ pause
"No. have you?'' Isabel asked, COM
s ing forward, with interest.
S Yes I've traded the grays for
George Merwin's blacks OF course
e | there was considerable TO boot They 60
t like the wind in'my new CUTTER
II should think they would" Isabel
Q drew n deep breath 81 do like black
horses never cared for gray ones
l always think of having to look for red.
a headed girl, - she laughed. 81 should
l think you'd always be on the outlook
S for one when you ride behind them. -
Perhaps Mr.. Holderman is looking
o for redheaded girl the Judge said,
o with a queer look in the direction OF
t that redheaded girl has a violent
t temper. Now, that isn't always true, u
g he said, after a moments silence, in
Q which his thought seemed to have been
far away. "Isabel's mother had al
n sweet a disposition as any woman that
}, ever lived, and her hair was the color
@ of that deep fame there"
S Isabel was leaning ON the back of hel
t fathers chair. why, father, you've
d always said my hair was almost the col
or of mothers I'm sure no one would
|. ever think of calling mine red.
s 81 don't know about that, " the judge
y laughed, land I don't know about the
d temper either he added, reaching NJ
and pinching her cheek.
81 never liked red hair, but I'm sur,
/ don't believe in that sign,'' Clint sale
clumsily. He gazed fixedly into the fir
and felt as though he were turning t.
stone.
The clock struck 10 with resonant
defiant stroke, as though it understood
the contest in which it held the stakes
and refused to commit itself as t.
whose side would win.
AT a quarter past - the judge stoot
up.
Clint felt his heart beating wildly
The moment of triumph was at hand.
The judge crossed TO the bay window
at the other end of the room. Isabel
g eyes followed him nervously.
From one side among the geranium
r and ivy he drew the chess table anC
d pushed it before him toward the fire.
~ think it would De pleasant for u