Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-27
A STORY WITH
OUT A NAME.
Chicago Rocord)

tCucdBO lNocDILJ
Mrs. Richie, who was sitting at her
window opposite, conveniently obscured
by the green-palnted hy-screen and by
the box Of nasturtiums, remarked 10 her
daughter Mabel that Amelia Gavin was
on her front steps all trigged ont, and
that it was about time fer young Briscoe
TO get around.
This proved that Mrs. Ritchle was a
woman of observation, for a few minutes
later Max Briscoe appeared.
As he turned the corner into Arbor
street he began to slacken his gait, and
in two blocks it changed from a direct
and rapid stride into an apparently aim-
less stroll. once he stopped to watch
some boys who were in the middle of tho
street throwing a ball as practice for tho
afternoon game in the vacant lot. one
OF the boys shouted, Catch, Max" ana
sent the badly ripped sphere whizzing in
his general direction, but about four
yards wide and In direct line Tor old man
Bauers bay window. Max made a quick
leap and caught IL cieanly and easily.
Then, with a quick jerk, lie sent It back
TO the obviously gratihed boy, and, shak-
ing As head, with a smile, turned and
SLel
where Amelia was sitting.
AS Mrs. Richie had noticed, Amelia
had made her evening toilet. She sat
with her arms on her knees and her
hands clasped.
There are eight steps leading to tho
Gayins front door. Amelia occupied the
top one. Max said: Hello, Meliaw and
seated himself ON the second one from
the sidewalk. Then he looked at his
shoes.
1t was not that he preferred to, al
though they were nice new shoes OF a
fine blood color, and Amelia's eyes were
of a rather washed-out blue. lie looked
at his shoes because he felt irreslstably
impelled 10 do so. Amelia said: Hello,
Max" and became apparently interested
in late delivery wagon that had stop
ped TO unload two brOOms and a bright
tin saucepan at the basement next door
They get more brOomsr' she remarked.
rs that SOP" inquired Max, and after
a minutes reflective pause he added
What do You suppose they do with
them?"
Il think" replied Amelia, that they
use them TO sweep with 1t was not
in spirit of sarcasm that she said this.
1t was just her theory.
Perhaps nearly five minutes elapsed be-
fore the young man made his next re-
mark. Then he said: Gee, but it's hOt"
This also was in good faith, judging
from the pinkness of his face and the
Precipitation on his forehead. which be
had wiped away as he spoke with a
stiff new handkerchief. Amelia noticed
that the handkerchief was new and per-
fumed with unusual lavishness. She no.
ticed also. as Max took off his hat to
wipe his forehead. that his hair had been
parted by the mathematical hand OF q
barber but she had noticed the heat
IL was beginning TO feel chilly" she
said Il believe I'll have 10 go in"
Don't go yet"
t. And get my shawl. I'll be back in
Il minute.
II was great trial TO Mrs. Gavin the
way Max BriscOe acted about Amelia.
Mrs. Gavin was a vigorous, wiry little
woman. with black eyes and mind OF
her own. She was not at all selfish about
her mind. Almost any one who Hye1 with
in hearing distance knew that Gavin got
a piece Of II quite frequently, and Amelia
was not by any means neg .ected; but for
some reason or other she never brought
Max directly 10 task.
ITS "A mans business, so II IS" she
told Gavin. I'm thinkin' that It's about
time he said somethins-if lie ever means