The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-10-26
CHAPTER III.

went to the Martens that after
noon. As | was entering the drawing
room | encountered Bobby at the door.
He grinned indictively.
"Shes in there" he said, jerking his
| thumb over his shoulder. $50 and kiss
her"
| took no notice of his foolish re-
marks, or of the laugh from the group
| of men around him. 1t is better to ig-
more vulgarity when you have no rep
artee.
l crossed the room to speak to Lady
Marten. The room was crowded. AS |
was speaking TO her Lady lexington
arose from her seat and came to her.
She was followed by girl, whom rec
ognized Though how she had changed
and how beautiful she had grown!) as
Alice.
While Lady lexington was saying
her adieus l turned to Alice. l saw she
recognized me.
alice, my dear!" said. felt rather
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 l bent for
ward and kissed her lightly on the
cheek.
mfr. Merivale!" she said, but l
thought she did not look offended.
"Oh. you must still call me Jerry"
I said, hastily. 81 suppose you will be
| leaving school soon?'
Lady lexington. who had been re-
garding me as if l were an intrepid
| frog, interfered.
Miss Mansell has left school some
years. she said, in an awful tone.
"Oh. she has a governess, | suppose.
Well, Alice" l said, 81 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. Il will call some day and take
you to the waXworks."
She smiled as she left me and fol-
lowed Lady lexington from the room,
l was glad she smiled. l should not
have acted as ! did.
| During this incident the stiffness in
the room was terrible. Conversation
began again. l turned to Lady Marten
and began to speak of Pinero's coming
play. But she was laughing con-
| yulsively.
You wicked, dreadful young man.
she said. "Mr. burden told me what
you intended to do. but | couldn't have
believed you would have dared. Not
even you. And Lady lexington there!"
| l protested that Miss Mansell and
were old friends. Nothing could shake
her conviction that we had never met
before; that ! had kissed girl who
was an entire stranger. This was the
general impression, thanks to Bobby's
| foolish talk.
But | am not as bad as all that.
The next day l called at Lady De-
kingdoms house. | did not expect to
be admitted, but / 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 a kill
ing glance toward the lad. But it
was TOO late.
Alice was alone in the room. She
came to me with the prettiest air of
confusion. / took her hand.
"Alice-Miss Mansell," | said, "for
the last "a hours my friends have
been telling me that | have made a
mistake. Did make a mistaken"
Mr.. Merivale." she said, "for the
last "a hours Lady lexington has been
telling me you didn't make mistake.
Did you make a mistaken"
II was all right, she was smiling.
"Alice-Miss Mansell; / cannot tell
lie unnecessarily; it was not a mis-
take-it was intentional"
She shook her head.
~ 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.
sit is Lady Ockington!" exclaimed
Alice.
"Shall l hide?" I asked.
1--WE are going to the Pinkerton's to-
night" she said, looking out of the
window as Lady lexington entered.
CHAPTER Ill.
I n n