The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-24

I took no notice of his foolish re-
marks, or OF the laugh from the group
Of men around HIM. 1t Is better to
ignore vulgarity when you have no
repartee.
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 a girl whom l
recognized (though how she had
changed and how beautiful she had
grownD as Alice.
While Lady Ockington was saying
her adieus l turned to Alice. l saw
she recognized me.
alice, my dear!" said. I felt rather
than saw Lady Ockington wheel about.
Alice put out her hand and smiled I
took her hand.
What an immense girl you have
grown!" I went on. you've grown too
big to kiss!"
She looked surprised. but bent for
ward and kissed her lightly on the
cheek.
Mr. Merivale!" she said, but l
thought she did not look offended.
"Oh, you must still call me jerry I
said hastily. "T suppose you Will be
leaving school SOON"
Lady Ockinyton, who had been re-
garding me as IL were an intrepid
frog. interfered.
Miss Mansell has left school some
years" she said in an awful tone.
"Oh, she has a governess, 1 suppose
Well, Alice.' I said. II hope you are
better girl than you used to be.
"Alice, we must CO." said Lady Ock-
ington.
Good bye" 1 said. I still held her
hand. "I will call some day and take
you to the waXworks."
She smiled as she left me and fol-
lowed Lady Ockington from the room.
1 was glad she smiled. l should not
have acted as I did.
During this incident. the stiffness in
the room was terrible. Conversation
began again. I turned to Lady Mar
ten and began to speak of Pinero's
coming play. But she was laughing
convulsively.
"You wicked, dreadful young man."
she said. "Mr. burden told me what
you intended to do, but I couldn't have
even you. And Lady Ockington
there!"
protested that Miss Mansel and
were old friends. Nothing could shake
her conviction that we had never met
before, that I had kissed girl who
was an entire stranger. This was the
general impression, thanks to Bobby's
foolish talk.
But am not so bad as all that.
The next day l called at Lady Ock-
ington's house. I did not expect to be
admitted. but I felt it would only BE-
kind TO call.
The door was opened by an unin-
telligent page boy. Lady Ockington
was out. Miss Mansell was in. JOY!
On the stairs I 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
came to me with the prettiest air Of
confusion. I took her hand.
"Alice-Miss Mansell." l said, "for
the last twenty-four hours my friends
have been telling me that have made
mistake. Did I make a mistake"
"Mr. Merivale," she said, "for the
last twenty-four hours Lady Ocking-
ton has been telling me you didn't
make a mistake. Did you make
mistake?"
1t was all right, she was smiling.
"Alice-AIiss Mansell, I cannot tell
lie unnecessarily: it was not mis-
take-it was Intentional"
She shook her head.
"I don't think it was quite nice of
yOu," she said
l responded eagerly.
"You are quite right: it was horrid.
But l have an explanation"
Explain" she said. majestically. AT
the moment we heard Il ring.
"It is Lady Ockington" exclaimed
Alice.
''Shall hide?" | asked.
1--WE are going to the Pinkertons' to-
night" she said, looking out of the
window as Lady Ockington entered.