The Irish standard., 1902-01-18

full Of pleading. Jack bought what
we're left in the basket.
II WONDER he thought, with a sud-
den inspiration, eff Mrs. Barton has
had fresh ones to-day"
He held them up critically. The
shiny gold petals were locked tightly
together. They'll open in the morn
ing, though" the piping little voice
had said. 81 suppose Sis would want
me to go half way-and more. I be-
lieve I'll just call with them"
A half hour later Mrs. Barton,
lounging listlessly in the room her
aunt had assigned her, was handed
the card of Mr.. John Denton. Her
face showed surprise and dismay.
Then instantly her lips curved in .
quick smile.
swell, it's good of him-at last!"
she said under her breath. "Tell him
I'll be down soon." She tilted her mir
ror and gave the picture it presented
a quick, critical glance, such as an
artist gives before he puts the finish
ing touches in. She loosened her dark
hair little and tied knot of laven-
der in it, frowning at the result. She
drew out the bureau drawers, re-
vealing tangle of lace and color.
Ah,, that scarlet! She knew how
white would be the smooth cheek,
how flashing black the eyes, with
that! She hesitated; then she fas-
tened it defiantly in the loose soft
coils of hair. She took some roses
like it in shade and put them in her
belt, against the black dress. She
stood back to get the result. She
smiled and tossed her small head
slightly, as she turned it to watch the
sweep of silk behind her.
give years." she said, prettily
triumphant. "Nell, Mr.. Jack, they
haven't hurt me!''
Five years before Sarah Gordon
had quarreled with Jack Denton, who
people had thought she would marry.
His sister had been involved in it. It
was a foolish little affair, but since
that time there had been no word
between them. Not that any one of
them wholly wished it so, but no one
was willing to take the first step.
Thus Sarah Gordon Barton, one year
a widow. was not only glad on gen.
eral principles to have one of her long
evenings varied, but bit relieved ut
the prospect of commonplace peace
again.
She rustled into the room where he
waited, quite graciously; with no
least recognition of a delicacy in their
position, gave him her small hand,
and then seated herself where the
freight would play nlerrily about
her while she chatted easily concern
ing the piqnant things she found in
the most humdrum of days. He, for
his part, took her as she gave herself
and gave back in like measure, pleas.
antly conscious meanwhile from his
place in the shadow of all the ex-
quisite lines in the picture she made
for him. 1t was not until he rose to
go away that the telephone message
was mentioned.
II thank you for the dinner invita-
tion," he said. Fortunately Sunday
is free. You said at two didn't you?
The telephone was unusually misty
tonight. And I didn't make out who
you said is coming ALSO"
Mrs. Barton turned her head, hold
ing the fire-screen she had toyed
with where it Swallowed her face.
pardon me, Jack" she said mo-
ment later, rs if startled. "What were
you saying? Dinner Sunday? Why,
of course at two. And nobody's COM
ing but you. That's what l said, aunt
and uncle and you and I, just as it
used to be. Must you go so soon?"
This rs she walked across the room
beside him. Then she held out her
hand again, tipping back her head so
that he looked straight in her face
and down into the depths of her
great dark eyes, and she said, with a
little laugh: "This is lots better
than the other way, isn't it? I only
wish your sister were here, too"
And while he kept the hand he re-
piled:
ut is better. Sarah; why didn't we
do it hefore?"
Sarah Barton came back to the fire
and sat there staring in it with her
face between her hands.
'What in the world does it mean?''
she asked. 81 thought people said he
is half in love with that girl-what
is her name? Ruth something or 9th
Grand the telephones"
She figured at the problem patient
ly for nearly minute. Then she
gathered her sill1en skirts about her
and went gaily upstairs. II never
did believe that Providence wanted
anybody to be as bored as I have
been. And this proves it. Whoever
has lost and whatever is lost I'm de-
cidcdly the gamer. Now, to tell
auntie that she's been getting up a
dinner party for next Sunday ut two
o'clock"
RUTH.
MI. Eoster, tali, thln, Keen-eyeu,
rose from the big leather chair in
which he had been comfortably smok.
ing, and, throwing down his cigar
stub grasped the arm of the husband
heartily, saying:
"Well, old man, your dinner was tip.
top and the cigars even better. But
times up now"
The husband drew aside the cur.
faina which senoratod his don from