Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1900-11-08

more vulgarlty when you nave no rep
artee.
I crossed the room to speak to Lady
Marten. The room was crowded. AS l
was speaking to her Lady lexington
arose from her seat and came to her.
She was followed by girl, whom I rec
ognized Though how she had changed
and how beautiful she had grownD as
Alice.
While Lady lexington was saying
her adieus turned to Alice. I saw she
recognized me.
"Alice, my dear!" said. I felt ra Their
than saw Lady lexington wheel about.
Alice put out her hand and smiled.
I took her hand.
"What AN immense girl you have
grown!" went on. you've grown too
big to kiss!"
She looked surprised, but bent for
ward and kissed her lightly on the
cheek.
"Mr. Meriva!e!" she said, but I
thought she did not look offended.
sOh,. you must still call me jerry"
I said, hastily. II suppose you will be
leaving school soon?"
Lady Ockington. who had been re-
garding me as if I were an intrepid
frog, interfered.
"Miss Mansell has left school some
years." she said, in an awful tone.
''Oh, she has governess. I suppose.
Well, Alice" I said, II hope you are
a better girl than you used to be-"
'Alice, we. must Co." said Lady Ock-
ington.
"Good-by," I said. still held her
hand. II will call some day and take
you to the waxworks."
She smiled as she left me and fol-
lowed Lady lexington from the room.
I was glad she smiled I should not
have acted as did.
During this incident the stiffness in
began again. turned to Lady Marten
and began to speak of Pinero's coming
play. But she was laughing con-
vulsively.
"You wicked, dreadful young man."
she said. "Mr. burden told me what
you intended to do, but I couldn't have
believed you would have dared. Not
even you. And Lady lexington there!"
I protested that Miss Mansell and
were old friends. Nothing could shake
her conviction that we had never met
before; that I had kissed a girl who
was an entire stranger. This was the
general impression, thanks to Bobby's
foolish talk.
But I am not as bad as all that.
The next day 1 called at Lady o.
kingdoms house. I did not expect to
be admitted, but l felt it would only
be kind to call.
The door was opened by an unin-
telligent page boy. Lady lexington
was out. Miss Mansell was in. JOY!
On the stairs encountered the but
Ter, who knew me. He directed kill
ing glance toward the lad. But it
was too late.
Alice was alone in the room. She
to me with the prettiest air of
took her hand.
"Alice-Miss Mansell," 1 said, "for
the last "a hours my friends have
been telling me that have made a
mistake. Did make mistaken"
"Mr. Merivale,'' she said, "for the
last "a hours Lady lexington has been
telling me you didn't make mistake.
Did you make mistaken"
It was all right, she was smiling.
"Alice-Miss Mansell; I cannot tell
a lie unnecessarily; it was not mis-
take-it was Intentional"
She shook her head.
81 don't think it was quite nice of
you," she said.
responded eagerly.
''You are quite right; it was hor-
rid. But l have an explanation"
Explain" she said, majestically.
At the moment we heard ring.
ut is Lady Ockington!" exclaimed
Alice.
''Shall hide?" asked.
eve are going to the Pinkerton's to-
night" she said, looking out of the
window as Lady lexington entered.
CHAPTER III.
The general election was on. I had
to make four speeches every night, be-
sides canvassing during the day. +
should have preferred not to. But I
had an agent. He said he was my
agent, otherwise l should have
thought our positions were reversed.
Among other things he made me go
to church on Sundays. 1t was nee
essary, he said, to conciliate the
church people. We also went to the
Meth odist chapel to conciliate the
dissenters. The result was we an
noyed both.
At the church I recognized lady
with Alice's back hair. She also had
Alice's profile. In fact, it turned out
to be Alice herself. She was visiting
her uncle. Col. Western, with whom
she had lived in her younger days.
I told my agent that our great de-
feet was a want of lazy canvassers,
He proffered his wife. I accepted her,
but said 1 would call on Col. Western
and see if I couldn't pick out few
more. .
But Col. Western is opposed to
u.s."
''He is most good natured," I re-
piled. Il am sure he will lend us a
few"
My agent sighed. He was consci-
entious man, and had scurples as to
whether 1 was a fit person for the
house of commons. IF he were only
as sensible as some of his speeches!"
he said to my mother once.
Nevertheless. I sent my mother over
to Col. Westerns. and she returned in
triumph with Alice, who, as it hap