Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-06-13
BY M. MacL. Helliweil
COPYRIGHT, 1909,


, Mildred sat down with a gasp. Sh
was conscious of only one appalling
fact-the little silver bag which Ia,
dangled from her belt when she start
ed out some hours earlier was nov
gone and with 1t all her money he
watch, the key Of her trunk and varl
Gus little odds and ends dear to hel
heart.
Stranded on the exhibition grounds
miles from her hotel and her chaperon
This was her punishment for flying In
the face Of conventlonality as personi-
fed by Aunt Urania. She did not at
tempt to retrace her steps in search OF
1t. She knew it would be useless
A sudden realization came to her
that she was deadly tired and horribly
hot and hungry. She rose with the
sudden, impetuous little movement so
characteristic Of her.
And at that moment q man who had
been watching her intently from the
next bench rose also and approached
her, hat In hand.
AS she was thus suddenly brought
face to face with him she started for.
ward impulsively with Outstretched
hand, but almost Immediately her hand
fell to her side as with a cold half
bow she turned away.
But the man was not to be so easily
repulsed.
Good morning" he said pleasantly.
Surely even mere acquaintance may
exchange few words when they hap.
pen to meet by chance In place like
this. Is Miss Carson with your" And
he fell into step beside her, apparently
unconscious Of her frigid bearing.
A direct question cannot be ignored
by any one with the least pretensions
to good breeding; therefore Mildred,
after seconds hesitation, was con-
strained to answer coldly:
"Aunt Uranla Is at the falls. But
must ask you to excuse me. Good
morning.
She half turned, but the man laid a
OBTAINING hand upon her arm and.
dropping his half bantering tone, said
seriously:
Look here, Milly-yes may call
you that by right Of old friendship. so
don't blaze! am here by myself. and
/ am deuced lonely. When we last
parted, you said you had wiped out all
memory of that-that other business.
but you said nothing of our good fel
lowship Of year ago. Let us go back
to where we were last January-jolly
good chums-and let's put In our day
together"
Mildred hesitated. She, too, II she
would but confess it. was "deuced
onely" and tired and hot and hungry
INTO the bargain. Still, some things
despite what one may say to the con-
.rary, are not wiped out Of remem-
France by word.
81 think that would be impossible"
The said freezlngly. 81 am going to re
urn to the falls now. Good morning!"
"Well, you're not going to shake me
Ike that anyway" he cried cheerfully
I am going to put you on your car at
east"
But Mildred. In the awful conscious
ess of her pennlless condition. flushed {
carlet. II he insisted upon putting
Ter OH the car, the conductor would
ust as firmly insist upon putting her |
II when he came to collect the fares s
n her desperation and exhaustion she Q
ropped down upon a bench they hap I
ened to be passing. G
I'm tired" she said, digging little v
oles with her umbrella in the gravel b
her feet. 81 must take q rest first.
don't want to be rude. Mr.. GavestOn, Ii
ut I think wished you good morning n
,me time ago." II
The man. undaunted, seated himself II
eside her with a smile. d
look here. Milly." he said decidedly. a
You are too tired to start on that long
urney. AS your brothers closest
lend cannot permit 1t. am ex-
edingly hungry. May | have the ia
easure Of your company to luncheon? m
would greatly enjoy it. and If you tb
I'd 1t so distastefuI to eat at my ex- nj
nse-why, you may liqudate your M
are. Only let us have 1t together" ~
face was burning. She was NJ
lied with strong desire to shake
e aggravating smile from the teasing
ce beside her.
II don't care for anything to eat" no
C fbbed detiantly. THE only thing
sire at present Is solitude" r.,
I am really not asking much, MIL
ed. You lunch without thought
til dozens Of other fellows. Why not heI
til meT
I must draw the line somewhere"
} answered coldly. .
SO you draw 1t just In front of your On,
,ther's cbum! Poor old Tom! He'll be a
!. up when tell him. for he asked "
particularly to have an eye on you. su,
you remember when he first n ,