The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-08-09

HAD been porting over a four
teenth century manuscript in the
window seat, behind the library
curtains. The twilight and the
END OF the faint, Grabbed writing came
together, and then 1 suppose 1 fell
asleep. | woke at the sound of Vera
Rutherford's voice.
"The odd thing about it is that L
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" I could have
pointed out grave doubts, but 1 wasn't
more than half awake. Besides I
couldn't be quite sure that they re-
ferred to me.
DID you say afraid Veg"
you needn't bubble over my
words" she answered impatiently
Dear old We" said Maud in a mo-
ment. Here again 1 should have pre-
tended that l had just woke up and
announced myself.
II hate him" Vera observed incon
sstently.
$50" said Maud heartily, do ~
could not well proclaim my presence
after these remarks.
''At least, 1 think do"
GA sure l do" said Maud posi-
lively. Il 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 Sec"
THAT is no excuse at all. Look at
the way he contradicted you about
those Tuscan vases, or whatever you
call them"
II contradicted him first"
"Why shouldn't your
"Because--he was right"
(Which made it all the more annoy
ing"
YES" said Vera, with a sigh. l
wished l had let her have her own
way.
Never mind, dear. You refuted him
about those silly pre-something-o
other things"
moo; didn't, really"
"Oh, but you did. Papa and every
one laughed about it." Confound
them!
'Ah, butt was sorry, and he knew
it."
Nonsense, Ve!'
Didn't you hear what he said to
Sir Garvin OBrien about them after
ward? If you remember"
Il don't. 1 didn't understand a
word of their gibberish, and didn't
want to-" Quite right, Miss Maud;
women shouldn't dabble in antiqui
ties. Then they wouldn't quarrel with
antiquarians
anyhow, it disposed of my theory
completely"
Then, why didn't you say it at the
time:"
Probably he thought me beneath
argument" AS a matter of fact had,
for once, made an effort to be magnani-
nous and spare her feelings.
He is Il great deal too superior
stated Maud. felt myself blushing.
gested Vera, timidly. l 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 lumber
room" Jack is a young ass!
81 don't agree" said Vera. hotly.
'Jack is"
mo, he isn'tw He's very nearly en-
gagged to -1aud.
"a charming and intelligent fellow, |
was going to say"
"Nasty little story-teller." I thought
they were going to quarrel but they
didn't.
"Wel. I'll admit the learning Of
your Mr.. Norton" said Mabel, when
they had done laughing, but
''He isn't my Mr.. Norton" Vera tQ-
iected. There was a further pause -
Maud had gone | should have felt in
clined to come out and place mr.. Nor
ton" at pretty Yera's disposal, but
Maud didn't go.
"Do you really like him, cd Veg:
she asked.
"Only just little"
"Sure?"
81 can't see what you like In him"
protested Maud, impatiently. Hes
forty, at least" Thrty-seven only.
Miss Maud.
81 don't care if he is He looks
young"
Hes full of conceit" That really
was mistake.