Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-06-19
The Odd Thing About 1t.


century manuscript in the window
Sseat, behind the library curtains.
The twilight and the end of the faint,
grabbed writing came together, and
then 1 supposed fell asleep. 1 woke
at the sound of Vera Rutherford's
voice.
1.-The oldest thing about it is that 1
don't really dislike him at ALL"
You will tell me next that he doesn't
really dislike you," said Maud Leslie,
with an unbelieving laugh.
Il am afraid" said Vera, "there is no
doubt about that" 1 could have point.
than half-awake. Besides 1 couldn't
be quite sure that they referred to me."'
did you say afraid Ve?"
"You needn't bubble over my words,"i
she answered, impatiently. There was
pause.
Dear old Vew said Maud, in a mo-
ment. Here again ought to have pre-
tended that 1 had just woke up, and
announced myself.
II hate him." Vera observed, incon-
sistently.
"So," said Maud heartily, "do Iv' I
could not well proclaim my presence
after these remarks.
''At least think do
81 am sure 1 do" said Maud, posi-
lively. 81 consider him horrible"
"Oh, Maud; you know he isn't"
He must be, or he wouldn't be SO
rude to you"
II provoke him, you see."
THAT is no excuse at all. Look at
those Tuscan vases, or whatever you
call them"
Il contradicted him first"
"Why shouldn't you?"
Because he was right"
(Which made it all the more annoy
ing.''
"Yes," said Vera, with a sigh. 1
wished 1 had let her have her own
way"
HE is a great deal too SUPERIOR
stated Maud. 1 felt myself blushing." I"
He really knows a great DEAL" sug-
gested Vera, timidly. 1 made up my
mind not to quarrel with her any more
"a lot of antiquated rubbish of no
use to any one," scoffed Maud. could
feel that she was tossing her head.
Jack calls him the 1umber-roomp "
Jack is young ass!'
Il don't agree" said Vera, hotly,
"Jack is"
mo, he isn'tv' He's very nearly en-
gagged to Maud"
"a charming and intelligent fellow, 1
was going to say"
NASTY little story -teller! 1 thought
they were going to quarrel, but they
didn't.
"Well, I'll admit the learning of your
Mr.. Norton" said Maud, when they had
done laughing, Out
'He isn't my Mr.. Norton" Vera OBJ.
jected. There was a further pause. II
Maud had gone 1 should have felt in
clined to come out and place "Mr. Nor
ton" at pretty Vera's disposal, but
Maud didn't go.
do you really like him, old VeT' she
asked.
"Only just little"
"SureY'
"Yes-almost sure"
''You are rather hard on him, Maud
I think" So did I. Wont you admit
that he has many good pointsY
"Oh-he can talk! He's very anus
ing when he comes out Of the she'll
rather like to talk to him myself" In
deed But don't believe he has
bit of sentiment in him. Pm sure he,
never kissed girl in his life" Hasn'
he! "Unless'-she laughed mlschiev
ous!y-"it's you"
"You are ridiculous" protested Vera
"He wouldn't dream of such thing
Obviously Miss Vera understood me n,
9 better than other antiquities.
"Perhaps he-Why don't you leave of
squabbling with him?"
HE won't let me. He generally be
gins by asking whether 1 am ready 70
our usual quarrel"
"Why don't you say no."
because he ought to say it." I re
solved that he should.
'Then you will find him deadly dull.
Il don't think 1 should"
"Whatever would you talk about?"
"Oh-the usual things!'
''My dear We, he couldn't! Just fanc