Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-06-13

skirts and curls then. and called yo-
Milly as q matter of course. You rath
err liked to lunch with me in those days
Mildred"
Mildred flushed uncomfortably.
"Well. II you insist upon my leaving
you"-he rose as he spoke-"of cours,
. l must, but III be writing to Tom to
night. and I'm afraid he'll take 1t hare
when he hears that you have shaker
me this way. never told of that
other business. but he may as wei
know now"
Mildred arose.
Then If you'll promise not to do
that. why, Pll-I'll take luncheon with
you. and-you may pay for It." She
finished mlserably. gulping down her
pride with an effort.
He bit his lip rs they turned In the
direction Of the Midway, bat he only
said gravely:
THANK you very much. I account IT
an honor to do So"
Under the combined influences OF
much needed refreshment and n thor
oughly cOngenial companion she re-
vived rapidly, and before she was
aware Of 1t all her chilly constraint
Shs gone. and they were laughing and
chatting each other just as in the dear
old days Of bon camaraderie.
When they left the restaurant. they
strOlled down to the lake. where they
rested luxuriOusly OH the soft. grassy
bank.
II really should 60 now" said Nil.
dred regretfully at last. "Aunt Urania
will be distracted"
Then suddenly she remembered what
for the last two hours she had merci.
fully been permitted to forget She
flushed scarlet. but with light laugh
said carelessly. with her eyes on the |
lake:
I'll met with little mishap this |
morning, Mr.. Gaveston. | wonder II |
you would do me a great favor for
Toms sake. lost my purse, and un.
less you can lend me dollar | am
afraid | shall have to stay here all
night"
"Why. what a shamew said Caves
ton gravely. 81 happened to find some
money today, and | shall be delighted
to pass 1t on"
AS he spoke he plunged his hand into
one Of his many pockets and drew
forth silver belt bag. Mildred seized
1t with little cry. "Why, It's miner
Then, fixing him suddenly with n stern,
accusing, indignant eye, she went on
rapidly: "And you knew 1t. for it's the
one Tom commissioned you to buy for
me, and when you said might pay my
share Of the luncheon you knew that
| had not one cent with me! Just to
humillate me you deliberately inyel
gled me into accepting charity at your
hands when
And she jumped to her feet and turn
ed away, her eyes Drumming with tears. l
But Gaveston was ut her side in an In I
slant and, laying gentle hand on her Q
arm, said pleadingly:
"Wait II minute. Milly. did know It !.
was yours. III confess. dear. | saw II u
'all but just as it reached the ground G
t opened, and something popped out of I
t-sOmetbing that encouraged me to r.
hink that perhaps If could get you n
o speak to me and to let me speak to L
'ou it might help to plead my cause
gain. for we haven't forgotten. either b
f us, and it is absurd to pretend that III
We have. But. If you don't really care. al
ven a little. why do you still carry nj
hisT And he opened his hand, in TT
which lay little silver trimmed por. III
RAFT Of himself. nj
Mildred made last attempt at frigid to
ignity. Il carry it, she began, with ca
er head in the air.
Look at me while you tell me- dear"
e said, turning her face to him as
ley stood In tho screening shadow Of W
friendly tree. Her dignity vanished be
lddenly. an
Because | do care" she finished ril
eakly. with little catch in her voice I'M
have cared ever since first saw you ca
} care still-and-always shallw wi