Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-03-03
* T WO x
By ". Bert Foster
Copyright. 1902, by the

"And now, Jack, hat can do? Fl,
| follows me everywhere. and he stand
around and ogles me with that detest
able baby stare of his. and-and-
you're laughing. Jack! You are al
mean as you can be to laugh when
come to you for advice"
Esther stamped her foot. Jack Orms
by leaned against the veranda railing
and watched her with amused eyes,
Il can't help smiling. Esther. but
can appreciate the irritation poor Hal
lowell must cause YOU"
.Irritationr' A world of emphasis
entered into the word. And just be
cause | was foolish enough 70 let hin
propose to mer' she walled
well. of course" Jack said slowly
"yoI must expect TO have your scalps
cost you little something, Essie."
He doesn't say anything exclaimed
the girl IF he did, it would give me a
chance to tell him what / think of his
logging my footsteps everywhere"
1T certainly is case of the villain
still pursued her," Ormsby said. What
do you want me to do, Essie-cali him
out and plug him full of holes?"
ugh. Don't be so vulgar. don't
want you to do anything but tell me
what to do to get rid of him."
Jack was almost the only man she
knew well who had not proposed to
her. Men had fallen before her charms,
had said their little piece (and some
said it rather well, she had to admit to
HERSELF, and gone their way, and until
now no man had really been able to
trouble her serenity.
do think Of something, Jack" she
pleaded Its been three months now
since he-he'-
"Since he said the momentous words
which made him--not yours. eh?" And
Ormsby laughed, but his hands trem-
bled as he shifted the cane little.
Don't be absurd! He doesn't want
me any more than other men do"
"Whew! Your serene conceit is GER
tainly charming, Essie."
Don't be unkind You know it's
true" she said calmly. ANY woman
with fluffy hair and blue eyes can
bring men to her feet. Only you don't
get foolish and propose to me, Jack"
mo. | don't propose to YOU" he
said quite calmly.
"And that's why l like YOU
'Then I'll try not to make you dis
like me. But what can do to poor
HalloweII? A cat may look at a
king But Esther interrupted snap
pishly
That's no reason why calf should
look at me all the timer
Poor girl! You're finding 1t mighty
hard getting away from the conse-
quences of your own sin, eh?v
what sin have l committed?" she
demanded, with conscious innocence.
SIS it sin to refuse to marry a man
you don't want!''
Moo. But how about-well, not ex-
actly leading him ON to proposing
but
She favored him with a frigid look.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Ormsby," she
observed.
"Well, you needn't he said quietly.
you expect plain talk from people
whose advice you ask. don't you? No
man will ever ask a woman to marry
him If she doesn't give him the oppor-
tunity"
THAT is different: but such remarks
as you are making now are hardly In
the nature of advice. Jack"
"Well, don't see that there's much
you can do" he drawled. and his eyes
began to twinkle There seem to be
but two courses to pursue, and two
only
''Oh. here's your Sultan and the run
about suddenly cried Esther. clap
ping her hands and springing up. "Are
you going to take me to ride. Jack?
"Well, it's what came around for.
but your tale of woe about knocked it
out of my head"
The negro from the stable Ieaped
out and held the big bays head. Es-
Their ran down to the gate. forgetting
the beruffied parasol lying on the We
randa. Ormsby followed lazily.
Feeling pretty gay. isn't he, Jack
sonT he asked. pulling on glore and
looking at Sultan. who danced charm
ingly to the accompaniment Of little
squeals of delight from Esther
yes. sab: he do. sah.'
"Hop in, Essie." Ormsby said. hold.
ing out his hand to assist her. Then
he added. Speaking of angels. there's
HalloweIl now"
A fresh faced young fellow cantered
by on fine horse and lifted his hal
seriously. A little way beyond hs
pulled in the animal and dismountet
as though he would come back to SPEAK
to the couple at the runabout
DO hurry upt' exclaimed Esther I'M
der her breath. What shall / do tx
get rid of him. Jack? You said there
were two ways What are theyw
"Well." and Ormsby buttoned tha
glove slowly and put one foot on ths
step OF the runabout. you might mar
~ him to get rid OF him.
mo. thank your she exclaimed
poutfng and tossing her head. Thel
she started and looked toward TIL
house -Oh. Jack-my parasol! I shall
want it."
Ormsby had already leaned forward
to seize the reins. He glanced at thu
colored man. Miss DingIey's paraso
is on the veranda. Jackson" he said.
The man dropped Sultan's bride
Like fash the bay threw up bis heat
and started.
The lines had not been quite withil
Ormsby's grasp. His foot slipped from
! the step He made leap to reach th
carriage. but Sultan swung into lonl