The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-05-23

was quite ecstatic as she cried. "Oh,
do love the park"
$50 do in summer"
But now, when the breath of spring
is in the air."
More winter than spring in this
air." he retorted grimly. There is
lot of ice still in these sheltered walks.
so do let me help you"
But she refused his proffered hand
and stepped daintily along. She even
hummed fragment of a gay dance
tune. Evidently her spirits were ris-
ing in proportion as his fell. Overhead
the bare branches creaked and sighed.
Underfoot the walk looked treacherous
enough in the fitful glimmer of the
gas lamps.
ed down recklessly, with & challenging
look at her silent escort. Lets see
who gets to the bottom first"
But on the instant her foot caught on
a bit of gravel. She swayed and would
have fallen if his ready hand had not
steadied her. The effort, however. de-
stroyed his own equilibrium. Down,
down rolled the dignified Mr.. Weight to
the bottom of the slide. His high silk
hat rolled even faster in an exploring
expedition toward the little brook that
ran alongside the path.
The girl clasped her hands tragically.
"Oh, it is going into the water! Save
it! Save itv' Then she burst out laugh
ing.
Mr.. voight raised himself stifly and
went in chase of the hat.
When he brought it back. she was
still laughing.
II am glad that l afforded you so
much amusement" His tone was very
freezing. "And am happy to tell you
that the hat has escaped injury. Your
anxiety about it was quite remarkable
AS for my injuries-oh. that is a mat
ter of no consequence to you evident
ly."
Her laughter had died away, and she
bent toward him contrite.y. Forgive
my laughing! If you could only have
seen how funny you looked" Another
paroXysm was threatened, but she
steadied her voice as she caught sight
of his face But you are not hurt.
are you? Just let me brush you off.
and you will be all right, Will"
"Will" refused to be placated. He
had been laughed at. and ridicule
pierces to the innermoSt core of q
mans being.
Don't pretend an interest you have
Just shown conclusively you do not
feel | am quite ready to resume our
walL-homeward And he turned and
began to ascend the incline.
The girl was glad that the friendly
darkness hid her involuntary expires
sion of panied surprise. William the
meek, William the long suffering. had
sebelled She had teased him and
played with him. This. then. was the
last straw.
Then a wave of Indignation flooded
over her. How rude he was. how I'm
kind! She stood still and gazed nj the
tall figure hurrying up the slope. How
could he treat her so? She would 20
home alone. But the park was very
dark and silent. A cold tremor seized
ner. She was afraid.
With most undignified haste she hur
fied after and caught up with him,
painting. A glance ut him brought bach
her courage. His bearing was any
b,f
Her tone matched his own as she
said: II cannot go home aloAy. "9
need not have any further conFcl'a..
ton, however, and l won't trouble YOU
again"
Voight WINGED visibly at her words
There were signs Of yielding as he re
piled, "You know that am always
glad to do things for you"
Miss Manners laughed bitterly. AND
yet you were going to leave me alone
Just now. 1t wasn't kind, wasn't
gentlemanly, thing to do
His anger famed up again. Il could