, 1901-06-26
Story Of a Boy.
BY JULIA TRuITT BISHOP.

BY JULIA TRU1TT BISHOP.
Author Deborah Of Lost Creek" etc.
Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
She vas listening to the uniformed
graybeard at the window, bending to-
ward him a little with an air Of
heart under the gold braid. Fluttering
down to them the length Of the draw
Ing room came the hostess, that fool
lsh little Mrs. Leasing, and they heard
her saying to the gentleman beside her,
while she was yet far on:
ooh. I've just found o in time, and
IT'S awfully awkward. but you know
how people are always disappointing
you at the last moment. You were to
have gone down to dinner with Clare
Rigdon. and Mrs. Harding with Ray
mond Blaine, and neither OF them came
SO sorry-"
The girl at the window had no
changed her position in the least. She
still leaned over the arm Of her chair
toward the uniform, but the General
was suddenly conscious that the lovely
young face had lost something of its
color.
"Oh. Mrs. Harding" cried Mrs. Less
ing. as the girl stood up and smiled
graciously at her hostess; so awk-
ward for a husband and wife to go out
to dinner together-people disappoint-
ed me-but would you let Mr.. Harding
take you out, just to oblige me?'
The hostess did not wait for a re-
led him away. The two were left
alone, both standing in the shadow OF
the window curtains. She was twist
ing the silken fringe Of the drapery
between her fingers. She did not look
at him. but she saw hat the hand
resting on the back of the chair from
which she had risen was shaken.
Since we are within full view Of a
number OF our dearest enemies" she
said with a scornful smile, still not
looking at him, ut might be as well to
play the farce out and look-well-
say, decently interested In one another.
People will discuss US soon enough"
Inc manu- Oh the Cudll Wdo suuNeiAy
steady.
with all my heart" said the gen.
tleman lightly, az he placed a chair
for her further back in the window
embrasure. and took another, close at
hand. We will disappoint them for
once"
She looked beyond him. at the
throng that danced and p~romenaded
and walked down the long succession
OF rooms. She looked anywhere but at
him.
While it is really awkward" she
said with a bitter voice and a charm
ing smile, for a husband to be forced
to take his wife out to dinner, still,
one may live through it under certain
circumstances. One has but to remem
Der that it is the last time he will ever
be afflicted with her presence, and
much may be borne. Really l scarce
ly expected to see you here tonight.
Was | not led to suppose that you were
to start for Europe today"
II start tomorrow instead he re-
piled. coldly. THE delay WAS fortu-
nate. 1t gives me the opportunity to
defer a nine days wonder for yet an
other day. Let us do it thoroughly,
while we are doing 1t. What shall we
discuss that will bring a pleasant eH-
preston to our faces; hat will make
us seem not merely tolerant Of n
another, but absolutely absorbed, de-
Voted
Let us talk OF Love-" she said, with
a burst of scorn and despair that sent
a crimson over her pale face. Re
Numbering our desolate home-my
desolate life-we can surely talk OF
that"
you are right he said. leaning a
little nearer. I'VE will talk OF love"
She shrank away from him a little.
but at the same moment she smiled
and nodded at Mrs. Leasing, who
passed near.
Love" he repeated. What a diff
ference it makes in peoples lives! You