Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-22
1THlIE RADMMA[N[EIRS
BY ELLIS PARKER BUTLER.
oopmtoht, 1909, BY Errin wd,dman.

From n deep and constant study OF
novels" she said, ~ have learned that
whenever lovers quarrel indoors the rain
drops unfnilingly 'plash against the
pane"
I'VE might play at being lovers"
"Of course" she said, ''only to quar-
rel."
"Well," he said, what shall we fight
over Girly?"
"I wish you wouldn't cnll me 'Girly.'"
! "Vcry well; your wishes shall be obey
ed. Miss Morton"
II never gave you permission to call
me anything else, anyway" she said.
"You never objected" he rctortcd.
| NO" she said, because we were
babes together You should have sense
enough to know when to quit"
81 thought you rather liked It," he
| sneered.
"Budgo" she cried. Your thoughts
take great liberties. ! should like to
know why you should think l liked it.
1t always bored me-"
Perhaps l bore you now" he said
stifiy, turning to the door.
perhaps you do" she said.
He went into the hall and took his
hat. She snt with wrinkle on her brow.
| A low rumble echoed through the Dir.
"Jackw she called.
He re-entered the room.
"Did you hear the thunder?" she ask
| ed. "It is working splendidly."
'Tt was only some one driving over the
bridge he said. That was what it
really was.
"But. Grace" he snid, you didn't real
| ly mean that you dislike being called
'Girly,' did you?'
II really don't like it," she said.
"But every one else does" he pleaded.
| "That makes no difference to you"
| she said.
| II suppose you wouldn't object IL Ton,
/ Rhodes should call you
"What Tom Rhodes does or does not
call me has nothing to do with it," she
cried, blushing.
"Oh." he sneercd. ~ suppose he can do
what he plcascs.''
She arose and faced him. trembling.
"Alr. Kent" she said stifiy, "Mr.
| Rhodes Is at least a gentleman"
"You will pardon me-" he said, "if
| take exception to your remark. | think
| otherwise"
She clinched her hands.
"You"-- she began, but against the
window fell a shower of pashing drops.
| She turned suddenly with smile and
4 looked OUT. The sky was overcast.
He laughed weakly. SIS it raining"
he asked.
at is the gardener sprinkling the
roses" she said.
| For minute they were silent.
"Do you know when you insult one Of
my friends you insult me?" she asked SO.
verely.
"If you choose such friends. you must
expect to be insulted." he said fercely.
III you were gentcman"- she be-
gan.
"oh, pshaw" he laughed. "Don't be
heroic"
"And anyway" she said. seating her.
self on the sofa. "a think you nre very
small and mean to say such things about
any one who is absent"
"He seems TO have very partial de-
fender at hand" he said, Struggling his
shoulders.
"If choose to defend him, it is my
own affair."" she said.
"Certninly," he said stiiily. defend
whom you like. 1t is to be presumed
that you like whom you defend"
II like people who treat me decently."
she cried
"And like those who have little
sense" he said.
'"rhank you" she sad haughtily.
Perhaps II you try you can find some
one-elsewlIere.
II can ut least find some one who will
not prefer the company Of a Tom
Rhodes to mine"
He walked half way across the room.
Good afternoon" he said.
She did not answer. He closed his
lips firmly and walked into the hallway.
| He paused with his hand on the knob
and looked back. She was sitting with
her face In her palms. The raindrops
We're plashing against the window pane.
He threw his hat into corner and sat
beside her on the sofa.
ut is raining, Girly," he said.
She did not look up.
And that proves we are lovers" he
snld. taking her wrists in his hands. Tie
gently drew her hands away from her
face.
~ am sorry. Grly." he said. "I-we
were only pretending to quarrel, you
know. ! didn't mean word"
| She looked np with moist eyes.
"Yes," she said smiling. 1--WE were only
pretending"
"You do lovc me, don't you?" he said.
"Of course. you dear boyw she cried
sand just sec, 1t really is raining"
Sho turDed her face toward him. He
saw q good place for kiss and put one
there.
The sun burst from behind the cloud.
and the rain ceased.
Jack" she cried rcprovingly, "you
shouldn't have done that!"
mot kiss you?" he asked ruefully.
Yes" she said. 'You might have
known. In novel tho sun always
bursts from behind cloud when the
lovers make up, and 1t is so awfully hot
today, Jack. You might have let It
, rain"
II WONDER" he said thoughtfully,
"what effect on the weather another kiss
would bave?"
II don't know" she said. "The novels
don't so into that part OF It very deep
IT,"
81 should hate to bring on a cyclone"
he said doub,fully.
"What's the difrerence?" she asked
hravely. SIN not afraid of little thing
IKE o cyclone. York Press.
Not That Kind.
Clerk-What do you wish. ma'nm?
H.. ~