The Portland daily press., 1899-02-17

with ner uve years be1orc- sui, sfAif ~
lt was. 10 was 10.
Cortel on his part looked extremely
uncomfortable. He may have been wish.
ing that he had SAINT the old gloves by mall
or by messenger But then, again, he
may not have been altogether sorry 10 see
that appealing look and those swimming
eyes
I'll don't know" he stammered
perhaps / ought NOT 10 have brought
them. But don't SEQ why not. don't
zee how could have kept them, could II"
"You might have burned them, mightn &
your" Edna said, with n rather mischievous
smile
80 1 might" Cortell answered quick
". II give you my word, Miss Barson-
i beg you 10 believe me- never thought
of that. -
The manifest sincerity with which this
was said and the ingenious blush that 40
companied the explanation were irrcsisti-
BILE. Edna Barson burst iuto hearty
laugh, which Cortell was not long In tax
ing up.
But at that moment the street door was
opened and then the door Of tho library,
where these two stood laughing over an
old pair of gloves, and the servant girl, in
her direct and distinctive manner, pro
nounced, mir. Bristol ="
There was nothing really embarrassing
In the situation. The embarrassment was
only apparent. Tho event might have
been different il all the persons concerned
had looked at the case rs IL should have
been looked at but, while the girl, with
Characteristic candor, saw only the reality,
Cortell was, for some reason, impressed
chiefly by the appearance. Bristol, perhaps
naturally, reflected only Cortell's view.
He at once walked to the table and, lift
ing the gloves, said, with eyebrows raised:
"a present? Won't you let me into your
joker
"How are you, BRISTOL" Cortell said,
holding out his hand. 81 hope you haven I
forgotten me-.
The worst of it was Edna was still
laughing, and there were the gloves
Bristol appeared TO think that the situation
demanded display OF quiet dignity.
81 remember you perfectly, Mr. Cor
tell, " he said, bowling slightly. May l
ask again what amuses you so muchp'
Edna became serious in moment, and
as she became serious she became angry.
1T isn't very much Of a joke MIR. Bris-
toll" she said III you insist on having
1t, however, Mr.. Cortell has just found an
old pair of gloves OF mine and has brought
them to me because II didn't occur TO him
to put them in the fire. Isn't 1t funny
II hardly think so, Bristol answered.
"Perhaps 1 might appreciate the joke bet
ter II / knew where MIR. Cortell found
these gloves"
As Cortell opened his mouth to make
some answer to him Edna, putting mp her
hand, said: "This is my business. I'm
afraid you will not have an opportunity Of
fully approaching the joke, Mr.. Bristol,
until you manage 10 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
mantelpiece, while Cortell stared at her
and Bristol stood biting his neither lip.
Then there was an awkward pause for
some moments until Cortel said some
thing about going.
why, I've hardly had ten words with
you yet. Mr.. Cortell," Edna said, with
n wicked glance at the other man. please
don't go yet Perhsps-perhaps I may
find something OF interest to show you If
you'll wait little longer"
"Then perhaps had better call at some
other time" Bristol said
1t was a very awkward situation indeed.
Bristol could not stay after this last OBJ
servation OF his, and Cortell could not
run away after Edna's pressing invitation.
Half an hour later Cortell said
What did you mean by saying that you
might find something interesting TO show
mei''
did II" said Edna "Do you hold me
to itY Ii occurred TO me suddenly Wait
here"
She ran out Of the room and after lit
tie while came back holding something
behind her.
do you recognize thisf" and she sud-
denly produced an old faded red velvet
smoking cap. 1t was mephisto, with
sides pulled down and an absurd brush
at one side.
by jingol" Cortell exclaimed. when
did you find that old cap, Miss Barsons"
About week ago." Edna said, look
ing a little confused II didn't know you
were coming home, then.
Jack stole my cap, didn't he?"
ayes. You had 10 go home bareheaded 1"
And you would pull off your gloves
and try to reach for pond lilies. "
And You wouldn't give them back to
me. 1 made Jack give me your cap to
keep in pledge of my gloves
"Of course you were going to send it to
meg"
"Of course l was"
"By the way. didn't it occur to you to
burn its'
Then both burst out laughing once
more.
As for the story that Bristol and Cortell
had high words after that and that mutual
friends with difficulty prevented them
from fighting duel, there never was any
thing in it. Bristol was sensible man
Mt bottom, even though irascible at times.
He made some sort of apology to Edna
Barson for his exhibition of temper.
But the Bristol Barson wedding was
postponed in quiet way. 1t never came
off The Cortell Barson wedding came
off instead, though not until a year after
the incident of the mephisto cap.-Minne-
apolis Tribune
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.
- I'll > 81 ra