The Press., 1900-06-14


"'Ett's coming, too" Inky informed
me, with wink. "She hasn't got all
her filings on yet"
A moment later Miss Allen entered
with Archibald Lyden. am not an
expert on the subject Of feminine ap-
parel, but 4 do know that she wore
something pink and fluffy that was
very becoming. Lyden had known
as an honor man at college, and l
thought with uneasiness of Inky's
defamation.
Inky presented me to his sister and
volunteered the information that was
'tall right and "a mighty square fell
low"
She said that she was delighted to
meet Ingram's instructor, and said
do not remember what. Lyden's pres
ence annoyed me. I had hoped so much
Of this first interview.
Inky's performance was even worse
than I had anticipated. I think his
collar was partly to blame for the
weird sounding of his linguals and the
startling aspiration of his vowels. Ly-
den laughed throughout the entire
duration Of the agony. Every one
seemed relieved as it drew to close.
When the remaining exercises were
aver, Inky started out to show his
friends the "lay" Of the building. They
seemed particularly interested In my
recitation room, at least l felt that
such was the case with Miss Allen.
AS she moved to one of the windows
she chose to mention that once in pass
ing she had glanced up and found
Inky and myself watching her with
painful interest.
Just as they were all filing out Of the
room 1 saw Inky deftly abstract his
sisters handkerchief and drop it on the
floor. Seeing me start to pick it up,
Inky shook his head savaSely. mo-
ment later Miss Allen returned alone.
81 am always losing my handker-
chief" she said. Brother thinks that
he saw one on the floor in your room. y
FASTENED to restore the missing ar
ticle and doubtless blushed at my own
dupucity.
1--WE have heard so much of you"
she continued. Ingram regales us
each evening with veracious chron-
icle Of your days doings."
"Ett," broke in the voice Of Inky
from the doorway, make him show
you what he has in the desk. Say,
that Lyden's a stiff. I'll get even with
him. He laughed all the time I was
reciting."
"It is true" said Miss Allen when
her brother had again disappeared.
"Mr. Lyden did laugh, and l don't
think it was bit nice. do your
OF course l did not.
"But what was it Ingram wished me
to seer" she continued. did he say it
was in your desk? Please show it to
me at once. My curiosity is Of the
kind that will not be bridled."
81 beg Of you," l began, very much
embarrassed; lit is really nothing at
ALL" And in that statement | was
merely quoting Inky's own words.
MAY l look? she persisted, resting
one white hand on the old battered
lid Of the desk. I'm going to-"
l was powerless. Her smile fairly
turned my head.
II can refuse you nothing" l MUIR
INJURED.
The next moment she had the lid up
and was rummaging through an ac-
emulation Of books and papers. She
came upon 1t suddenly.
"Oh," she cried, "where did you get
itY'
I explained that l had taken it from
her brother and had unlawfllly retain
ed it In my possession. Unfortunate
", she soon turned it over and discOv-
cred the verses penciled on the back.
'"That Is very silly" she observed
severely, and then with demure
smile, "But it is very clever"
Without looking up she replaced the
photograph in the desk and closed
down the lid.
After Mr.. Lyden and the Aliens were
all clear Of the building Inky came
rushing back to my room.
"What do you think Of herY he in
quired eagerly.
81 never met more agreeable young
lady," was my guarded reply.
"Of course you didn't" he said glee-
fully. "Ett's hummer. You ought to
hear her play the piano and sing. And
she writes poetry, too, but Pm the on
ly one that knows it. Say, why don't
you go,in and win? I'll back YOU"
Ingram" said solemnly, "these
matters are entirely too serious and
sacred to be made light Of"
Inky grinned and clacked his tongue
in his cheek.
"Say," he cried suddenly, did any of
your people get cut up in the Revolu-
.tionT
Several of Them" replied.
"Good enoughv' he exclaimed.
That's big casino with the mater!
Oh, see Lyden's finish"
A few days later Inky whispered to
me during class that l was soon to be
invited "up to the house" and must on
no account fail to respond in person.
The invitation did arrive, and I avail
ed myself Of the privilege.
Mr.. Allen was jovial; the mater grew
deeply interested in my family tree;
Miss Allen treated me with great kind
ness; Inky could scarcely refrain from
standing on his head. The presence of
Lyden as an old friend of the family
alone marred the pleasure Of the even
ing.
was not aware that during the sue
ceeding days my treatment of Inky
grew any more lenient, yet It seems
that there was sufficient Partially dis,
played to excite the envy Of the other
students. This fact was deduced from
conversation accidentally overheard.
In the words Of the oracle, Inky would
continue to have a "cinch" while the
''prof'' was rushing" his sister.
''The moneys seven to two in your
favor" Inky remarked one Friday aft.
ernoon as l was going home with him
after school, for such had become my
custom. "Lyden isn't one, two. three,
He's out of the race; left at the pole.".
That particular afternoon was des-
tined to become one of the happiest
noriodS In INV 1ifo Miss Allan G