The Washington times., 1901-12-29

was no one but themselves in the Ions
{ hallway.
The ceremony" gasped Orville.
"Oh. / suppose you Americans call II
something else But of course this delay
won't. interfere; il is very silly of me &c
enquire But you are sure you don't wan,
to draw ont from the bargain now that
you have seen me? 1t is not too late yet
you know.
She looked ur at him. mirth and gravity
struggling for the mastery OF her eyes
ETen while he felt that the girl must be
borcft Of her senses to talk in such enig-
mas. he was more impressed by her
beauty than ever.
But what could she mean? He could
call to mind no bargain in which she was
concerned. Even his readiness at repair
tee deserted him in this crisis. He hesi-
tated. trying to catch her meaning.
A change instantly swept over her face.
You are disappointed. / can read it
in your eyes" she said, the nerriment all
gone out of her own. Il ought not TO
have come. l should never have con-
sented TO the thing in the first instance. ="
Her head dropped. She put one hand
against the side OF the doorway as If a
sudden weakness had overcome her Or
vile was dazed, stupefied. He had not the
remotest idea why a girl who was simply
his English cousin, and whom he had gone
| TO the steamer 10 meet, should talk in this
strain. He feared that she might begin
to cry at any minute; and orvilie could
not stand the sight of woman's tears. He
felt that he must get away at all haz-
ards and gain time to think the matter
over
What nonsense you are talking," he
| exclaimed in his brisk way. "0f course
I'm not disappointed in you. You go in
and lie down. and be ready TO eat the
dinner I'm going to order now"
He gave a rapid glance in either direc-
ticn along the hallway, then bent over and
/ kissed her on the lips. His intention was
to Zee then on the instant. but her arms
were about his neck and he was held a
| willing prisoner for second or two. Then
! she broke from him. fed into her room.
and closed the door.
orville walked of down the corridor to-
ward the elevator. his brain In a whirl.
He had counted on his cousin Celia and
himself proving very good friends. after
their long years Of correspondence, but to
have her talk as she had talked was alto
gether outside OF his calculations. He
took cut his handkerchief TO mop the per-
spiration from his brow rs he recalled
several OF her odd speeches.
"She must be touched here" he mur-
INJURED. allowing the handkerchief to rest
on his temples for an instant. There
can't be any other explanation. She's
been queer all along. ever since we started
from the steamer in the cab. But her
letters were always straight enough.
Il was odd. though. that she would never
send a photograph OF herself / paid her
back, though. for that when I sent her
view of my back hair. What am l going
to do with her now?-sweet little thing
as she is, too. What thousand pities!
hope she won't become violent.'
He kept on in the elevator down TO the
Office floor. He felt that he must have a
smoke to try TO quiet his nerves.
Quletude was not long in coming. As
he strolled about the marble corridor and
watched the wreaths ascend from his ci-
gar. the strangeness OF certain things
about this foreign cousin Of his seemed to
follow them into misty space aud disap-
pear. In its place cane the recollection |
of the sweetness of that kiss and Of the
olinging arms about him that had followed
it.
Perhaps cousins are always Affection |
ate in England, as brothers and sisters |
sometimes are here" oryille mused
Still, it's queer j never heard OF its |
being so. And there was that talk about \
ceremony. The deuce. Why. perhaps the /
girl expects I'm going to marry her She |
wouldn't haze let me kiss her otherwise. 1
What could have said in my letters? But !
no. no, Il cant be that It's all with |
her. An awful prodicament for me to be |
in, truly, But must worry through and |
humor her till ! can get her out to mother
and the girls. They'll know what's best
to dc"
He finished his cigar. ordered dinner.
and at half past six presented himself at
the door OF his charges apartment. She
smile OF welcome gave him peculiar yet
pleasurable sensation.
I'm afraid you are spelling nc" she
said. as they entered the ornate dining
room and took seats at the table rcscrv-
ed for them. We can't always expect
to be so luxurious And-and aren't you a
little bit extravagant?"
Perhaps ] am" he replied. carrying
out his idca Of humoring her as much as
possible. But then. you know, you can
only arrive in America for the first time
once. Now, what do you want 10 see to-
night"
She arched her broNs in perplezity tor
an instant.
seer" she repeated then. 81 am per-
'cctly satisfied with what / am at present
seeing"
She was looking straight at him. Or
Vile grew rcd in spite OF himself.
Thank you" he replied; but you can
see me a; any time. you know. What do
you say to comic opera? There is
pretty good one on AT the Casino"
"a comic opera" She dropped her
-ork with iittla clatter on her plate
We'll, a comedy at the Lyceum, them"
But do you 20 to the theatre?"
Certainly; why shouldn't -
orville forgot his companions inarmity.
md expressed all the surprise ho felt in
iis tone and look.
Well, know that in the established
.hurch the clergy sec no harm in it, but
n your case ="
She paused. and Oryllle hastily inter-