Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-09-12
ng girl. A troubled look came into JAS

ing girl. A troubled look came into JAS
per's eyes.
81 beg your pardon" he said, but
may 1 remind you that you haven't
stated your business with meT"
The girl looked into his eyes with
clear, frank gaze. Then she slightly
smiled and slowly removed an elastic
band that held the small package she
bore in one neatly gloved hand. Jasper
took quick advantage of her averted
gaze to pull down his cuffs and make
a quick pass at his twisted tie.
81 have written something" she said,
"and want to submit it to you"
Jasper felt himself weakening. Ordi-
narily he would have taken the manu-
script, and, hastily scribbling the writ
ers address on it, would have tossed 1t
aside with the remark that he would
communicate with the writer by mail
concerning it-and then he would have
resumed his work. Now he hesitated.
His pencil dropped from his fingers. He
Strengthened up little.
what is the nature of the article?"
he asked, in what he fancied was an
Indifferent tone.
1T isn't an article" said the girl.
DO 1 look like a person who would
write an article?"
She seemed to challenge his scrutiny.
Jasper couldn't resist the temptation.
He leaned little farther back.
at isn't always possible to judge by
the appearance" he said.
"But l fancied article writers were
always old, and-and fussy, and-and
cranky" said the girl.
There are exceptions" said Jasper.
'.There must be exceptions"
Il suppose you know" said the girl
But it isn't an article"
You arouse my worst fears" said
Jasper, as the girl spread out the manu-
script.
81 think 1 understand what you
mean," she said.
I'm glad you do"
"And I'm afraid your worst fears are
confirmed" she said.
Jasper sighed.
"Then it Is verses?" he said.
81 supposed it was poetry" said the
girl.
"They always do," said Jasper.
The girl looked up at him with a
pretty grimace.
"You are not bit encouraging" she
said
Its the better way" said Jasper.
"And yet you write verses yourself"
said the girl. And get them printed,
too"
perhaps it is because 1 haven't a
friend honest enough to dissuade me,
said Jasper. Il have had no time for
that sort of nonsense lately, however"
That's a pity" said the girl.
Don't think to soften me in that
way" said Jasper.
Il like those lines beginning. She
came upon me unawares,' said the
girl. Il know them by heart. She
came upon me unawares, l turned and
she was there"
Il beg your pardon" cried Jasper
'It is your lines that are under consid-
Grafton. Pray produce them"
The girl gave him a sidelong glance. .
Did she come upon you unawares
Mr.. Dane?"
Jasper caught the glance and slightly
flushed. His look grew troubled again
Il live in hopes" he said.
That's enigmatical," laughed the
girl. 1T shows you are not sure"
Il must object to your manifest in
tention to throw me into sentimental
mood" said Jasper. 1T will not helI
YOU"
The girl laughed and passed the man
uscript to him.
Il know you will like it," she said.
"Why are you SO certain" Jaspel
asked.
Because l haven't written on boil
sides of the paper" said the girl.
Jasper bent over the manuscript t
hide his smile. Then his look changed
The smile faded. He read the lines witt
: great care. Presently he looked up.
The girl had been regarding him in
, tently. She met his eyes with an in
quiring glance.
, You want ME to be frank?" he said
: "Of course"
''The lines are quite too sentimental