The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-11-08

In corner with Jessie bingham and
became aware that she had something
of great Importance to communicate.
"Nntnlic Clair is here said she, with
the air of II small boy announcing that
the circus has come To town.
Miss clair was n young woman
whom Gaines had 30 times narrowly
missed meeting Two years ago, when
the Clairs were about to come to New
York To live, Gaines had heard so
to dislike her. Many girls in his social
set knew her. and they all declared
that he and she were made for each
other" The basis of that view, SO far
as he could discover, was that she was
tail and dark, while he was tall and
light, and that both of them had the
reputation of being very cold. reserved
and hard to approach In friendship
or Irritation.
As n rule he did not like girls who
were cold and reserved. Suffering
from chronic embarrassment him
self. he found 1t hard enough to get
along with girls who were jolly, talk
ativc and open hearted. Moreover, to
be slated as a girls admirer before
a fellow has met her Is enough to Kill
all chance Of liking her. Gaines was
glad when Natalie went abroad with
her mother, instead Of coming to New
York. Within two weeks he had heard
that she was home again. And now 1t
seemed he must meet her.
"There she is," whispered Jessie
Bingham. Isn't she perfectly love
lyT
Gaines glanced across the room. and
his blood became Ice water. He had
always regarded himself as q peculiar
ly unlucky man, but that Natalie Clair,
Of all people In the world, should
prove to be the heroine Of the Twenty
third street adventure struck him Us q
little the worst blow In even his ex-
perience.
"Of course should be greatly pleas
ed to meet her." said he, and his
voice sounded in his own ears as II 1t
were being ground out Of phono-
graph. But there's no hurry. Any
time will do"
What nonsensew exclaimed Jessie.
"Of course you want to meet her this
minute. And they're bringing her right
over herev'
Gaines perceived that Jessie spoke
truly. A hnlf dozen young people, with
| the most obvious Intentions, were gen.
tly steering Miss Clair In his direction
She, however seemed to be wholly un
aware Of their purpose until she was
within six feet Of him. Then she start
ed as prettily as frightened deer.
Gaines looked anxiously into hel
facs. and when he saw that he was
recognized he felt as one upon whose
shoulder the hand Of the sheriff Is laid
1t was all over in a moment. Early
In his life Gaines had been introduced
to a Boston east wind. and once, when
boy, he had been locked In an ice
house as joke, but Miss Clair gave
him a new sensation. No one else ap
peared to notice the chill, though |,
seemed to him that all New York mus
be shivering.
He dared not say anything to the
point among 80 many people, and so HI
mumbled the ordinary nonsense while
waiting for chance to escape. Tha
was not to be, however. He saw Mis-
Bingham going one way and Mis-
Somebody Else going another way, ant
there was no way at all for him. FL
simply got left in the corner with Ma
tale Clair, and II II had been done OF
purpose 1t couldn't have been done bet
ter.
A man Of tact and assurance woult
have found no difficulty In saying tn
right thing, but Gaines lacked thos
qualities. and his faculties were In
panic.
The situation Is somewhat difficult
Miss Clair" he said. you must b
strongly prejudiced against me, but
but
What utter nonsense! Why couldn'
he say straight ont, II saw you O.
Twenty third street today and mistoo
you for my cousinT He knew as We
as anybody could that that was tn
right thing to say. But the words didn
come TO him.
You can't help II, salu she; ne
ther Of us can help 1t now. Let us FOL
get everything that<happened befor
we met tonight"
And then she looked around with
frightened eye for somebody TO com
and take her away.
Gaines felt as II the black cap ha
been drawn over his face. He had ha
, his chance TO speak, and II had passe'
, Evidently Miss Clair, knowing the ci
Gle In which he moved, had decided
. tolerate him, perhaps even TO be sileI
, about what she believed TO be his blaC
1 disgrace.
Z If Jane were only there, he coul
, have pointed to the resemblance au
have told his story with good grac
\ He had heard that she was expecte
, later in the evening. lie would reser,