The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-09-04

you. Oh, that's all right,' he said, in
answer to a questioning look; "they're
not going to call on you to read"
Cali right, I'll go if I'm to be enter
tained," the author replied, bluntly,
but with smile in his eyes.
There was quite little futter when
he re-entered the drawing-room-the
complacent sound of rustling silks.
The hostess was always very simple
in her announcements. She said now
only: "Miss Millicent Martin has kind
ly consented to recite for u.s."
There was faint patter of applause
and few disappointed looks. 1t was
we'll that Worthington did not see the
roguish look in Millicent's eyes as she
began:
II know that l am very daring, but
in honor of the guest whom our hostess
has so kindly invited us to meet
here she bowed slightly to Worthing-
toni will recite his exquisite poem,
The Troubadour.'
Worthington groaned in spirit, but
escape was cut off.
Millicent began. Her elocution was
well, bad; oh, but it was bad, and
the author almost wept. When she
was half through, be whispered in an
agonized voice: "Oh, Tom, Tom, don't
let her do it again! I'll do anything,
but don't let that girl DO it againr
Van Kleek beamed. lawfully go. d
of you, old mani" he said, but Worth
ington only sighed.
When Millicent was done it fell to
Van Kleek's lot to inform the assem-
bled guests of the authors condescen-
sion Then Worthington rose. He
read we'll always, but tonight he was
magnificent in his fury. He was de-
Tending himself against the insinuation
of insipidity that the girls interpreta-
tion had put upon his work, and all
the fire and earnestness of his nature
went into his rendition of the lines.
The women from the halls and the men
from the smoking-room crowded the
doorways, and there was a storm Of
applause as he sat down.
81 have always maintained that you
should be called 'Militant,'" whispered
Van Kleek as Millicent passed him.
AS for Worthington, he was angry
with himself, and altogether felt very
much the fool. People had congratu-
lated him until he was tired.
II shall be spouting at afternoon
teas next" he told his friend, savagely,
when they were alone for a moment;
but just then Millicent came up, and
Tom moved guiltily away.
II enjoyed it so much" she said,
holding out her hand.
"Thank you"
She waited, smiling up into his
face.
And have you nothing to say of
my work?'
"It-it-was charming" he STAN
mered.
(which, translated, means aboml-
nable."
He wondered why that girl should
stand there laughing at him with her
marvellous eyes. 1t annoyed him, and
it pleased him. He answered:
III am very, very sure you under
rate yourself.
"Fiel Mr.. Worthington, f.! know
it was abominable, because l tried to
make it so."
He looked up quickly.
II hope you will forgive me, for l
have confession to make. am not
heroic or selfsacrifcing, and I want
you to know that l can read better
than did, and that I felt what 1 read
more deeply than expressed. But
but-you are lion, you know"
ooh, am I?''
He was beginning to see, and the
red mounted to his face.
eyes," she said, "and you were very
unsatisfactory; you would not roar, so
l read badly, to compel you to read in
self-defense. There!''
He struggled between anger and
admiration at her audacity. The lat
ter triumphed. He laughed a low,
amused laugh. eff am a lion, you
are a lion tamer," be said "May l
come to see you some day?'
Her apprehensions fed, and she
joined in his merriment
"Will you promise not to be very
ferce?"
II promise to roar me as gently as
sucking dove.''
"Then you may come," she said.
"Good-night, Sir Lion"
"Good.nig nv LADY Lion Tanner"