Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-05-22

Il always did think you conceited,
but I'm dashed II ever"
"Wfil she be at the Martens this af
ternoonT' l asked.
He replied reluctantly In the atfirma-
tive.
IF l have time I'll run In and see
her" said, taking up newspaper.
81 suppose you'll kiss her." he said
scofiingly.
Bobby retired utterlng inarticulate
sounds and red In the face.
l went to the Martens that after
noon. As was entering the drawing
room encountered Bobby at the door.
He grinned vindlctively.
"She's In there" he said, jerking his
thumb over his shoulder "Go and kiss
her."
! took no notice of his foolish re-
marks, or of the laugh from the group
of men around him. 1t Is better to ig-
more vulgarity when you have no rep
artee.
| crossed the room to speak to Lady
Marten. The room was crowded. As l
was speaking to her, Lady Ockington
arose from her seat and came to her.
She was followed by girl whom l rec
ognized Though how she had changed
and how beautiful she had grown as
Alice.
. While Lady Ockington was saying
J her adieus, turned to Alice. l saw she
recognized me.
"Alice, my dearH said. felt rather
than saw Lady Ockington wheel about.
Alice put out her hand and smiled. I
took her hand.
"What an immense girl you have
grownp' l went on. you've grown
too big to kiss!'
She looked surprised, but bent for
ward and kissed her lightly on the
cheek.
"Mr. Merivalew she said, but
thought she did not look offended.
80, you must still call me jerry"
said hastily. Il suppose you will be
leaving school soon?"
Lady Ockington, who had been re-
garding me as II l were an intrepid
frog, interfered.
"Miss Mansell has left school some
years." she said in an awful tone.
80, she has a governess, supposed
Well, Alice" said, II hope you are q
better girl than you used to be-"
"Alice, we must CO." said Lady Ock
ington.
"Good-by," l said. still held heI
hand. 81 will call some day and take
you to the wax works."
She smiled as she left me and follow
ed Lady Lexington from the room.
was glad she smiled. should not have
acted as did.
During this incident the stiffness ol
4 the room was terrible. Conversation
: began again. l turned to Lady Marter
| and began to speak Of Pineros coming
play. But she was laughing convul
l sively.
i "You wicked, dreadful young man,
. she said. "Mr. burden told me wha
you intended to do, but couldn't have
( believed you would have dared-nO
i even you-and Lady Ockington there.
: L DrOtcStbu tudI Mibb 1dliScA duu
:. were old friends. Nothing could shak'
0 her conviction that we had never me
before-that l had kissed a girl VIII,
a was an entire stranger. This was tn,
e general impression. thanks to Bobby
: foolish talk.
But am not so bad as all that.
Y Thenext day I called at Lady Ock
e ingtons house. did not expect to b
admitted, but I felt 1t would only b
kind to call.
The door was opened by an unintelli
s gent page boy. Lady Ockingon wa
e out. Miss Mansell was In. Joy!
On the stairs encountered the but
Ter, who knew me. He directed kill
Ing glance toward the lad. But It wa
e too late.
!. Alice was alone In the room. Sh
l. came to me with the prettiest air O
confusion. I took her hand.
= "Alice-Miss Mansell," I said, "fo
the last twenty-four hours my friend
It have been telling me that have mad
Y mistake. Did you make mistake
"Mr. Merivale," she said, "for tn
I. last twenty-four hours Lady Ocklngto
r has been telling me you didn't make
mistake. Did you make mistake"
u 1t was all right; she was smiling.
"Alice-Miss Mansell, I cannot tell
le lie unnecessarily; 1t was not mistak
1T was intentional"
q She shook her head.
b. II don't think it was quite nice {
you," she said.
responded eagerly. "You are quiz
right; 1t was horrid. But have an e:
planation."
Id Explain" she said, majestically.
,e the moment we heard ring.
It. "It Is Lady Ockington" exclaime
e. Alice.
I "Shall l hideT' | asked.