The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-27
CONVENTIONAL
| MISS COVINGTON.
Harriet Daryl Cox, in Chicago News.


knew that smile. 1t was the ono where
with the conventional Miss Covlngton
had brought scores OF his fellow suf-
ferers to her feet.
lie turned the subject abruptly.
You're not like ether girls" he VEN
tured.
"No7" She raised her eyebrows in
polite inquiry. Twas a platitude 10
which her ears were accustomed, and
1t usually portended something more
serious.
You're the Ice Maiden, or something
of that sort Always part Of your sur
roundings, doing exactly what you are
expected TO- and conventionai--oh. deu-
ccdly So"
He fired this out as a sort of chal-
lenge and met her glance squarely.
"Oh, Yes!" recklessly, as he noted a
bit of indignation in her face--a sign
hopeful rather than otherwise. you
are, you know you are. You wouldn't
do an unconventional thing to save
your life. not even if it was entirely
harmless" He paused a moment.
There was determined look creep
ing into her eyes.
Now this thing I was talking to you
about and which YOU thought so in
teresting," he went on. from your
standpoint it's unpleasant to hear
about the common people, what they
do ard how their standards are so diff
ferent yet really as high as yours. It
interests you as new book might,
but you want to view 1t from the out
side. If YOU go Summing you do it
in a genteel way and so you see nothing
of the real thing.
Even the everyday life about us
you know nothing of. In the abstract
you know that Jane goes out and
somewhere she meets James and they
have an hour or so of each others
company that is so real in its enjoy
ment that she comes back with a
sparkle in her eye and her heart beat
ing faster than its wont. And James
goes home strengthened for the next
days work.
Yet, perhaps they've only been sit
ting on a bench in the common-but
they are real-geniune.
Would you suggest my tryin it, in
order to be real?"
Her voice was bantering, but there
was an underlying thrill of earnest
ness in it.
Yes, l would" he answered, shortly.
Then his manner suddenly changed.
Il beg your pardon for it ALL" he
said, with a conventional bow and a
contrite expression on his face.
you needn't" she said, in a curious
voice; 'ff you'll be James, I'll-Ill be
Jane tomorrow night"
She gave him a parting suile over
her shoulder as she moved away.
And won't any one see us?" she
queried as they turned silently into the
public garden.
He glanced down at the meek figure
beside him.
"Oh, yes, plenty" he replied, cheer
fully.
She stopped short. Take me home"
she said, anxiously.
"Oh, no?" he laughed, There are
plenty to see us, but no one to recOg-
nize us. That's what you mean, isn't
it?"
you see"--as they passed a seat
where two dark figures sat in the
shadow-"there are plenty of u.s.
He gave the arm laid in his the least
possible pressure.
I'VE are all James and Jane, you
know, and we're all too busy to notice
anyone else. Our time is short, our
mistress may be expecting us back
No one would expect to see the con-
ventional Miss Covington here. You're
safer here than at a masked ball"
What are we to do?" she queried.
Find a seat and sit down"
"They seem to be pretty we'll occu-
| pied"
Her voice was amused now.
There is one just beyond-see, in
| theshadow of the tree"
"Oh, non,"-she pushed him on, and
they walked nonchalantly by.
Another couple!" he muttered un-
| der his breath. Yves thick tonight. ="
Here is one"
ITS awful light there"
He laughed aloud in glee.
You are like other girls" he declared
as he pulled the heavy iron seat to
where a tree cast a shadow in the
| bright electric light.
rs that a compliment? pouting.
Yes, in this case" ne answered
They sat in silence for a moment.
Several couples strayed past.
They are awtully innocent, aren't
| they?" Miss Covington smiled as two
| figures from out a patch of light ap-
| preached then turned suddenly away.
Just as we Were a few moments
| ago."
They wouldn't sit here if they
could"
They laughed together.
Then he began to talk. At first she
/ watched the figures moving about the
| various paths-now in bright light,
then lost in shadow.
But soon she lost the sense of
strangeness. Her companion was talk
| ing as she had never heard any one
| talk before. The gay, careless youth
| she had known had vanished. Here
was a thinking, feeling soul beside
| her, telling her of his life and his am
| btons.
! Her heart moved strangely.
He took her hand and held 1t with a
close clasp.
You are Jane, you know" he said,
| reassuringly, as he felt the figure be-
side him straighten a bit
do Jane and James do ths?" she
queried, doubtfully.
mo. boldly; they do more" She
puts her hand in his of her own ac-
| cord. because she loves him, and she
knows that the touch of her hand will
| give him more strength to tell her all
and to help him to be a man.
He had dropped her hand, and there
| was silence for a moment His eyes
were intent on the tower with its clock
| and golden figures dimly visible above
| the trees.
| She looked uuestiopingly up into his