Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-02-26
CHAPTER VIII,

Was she pleased to see him again so
soon? There was nothing in her manner
save surprise The "Ahr' escaped her
lips ere she could control herself
MY father is not in. l am looking
for him every minute"
Now that he had n good opportunity to
observe her. she was not in the least fur
ried He was the one who felt i'll at
ease. She was calm, composed And she
was the first to speak again. How easily
she led the conversation.
What delightful day it has BEEN
VERY. | hope you enjoyed it."
81 always do. | don't think anybody
enjoys good weather, or gets more good
out of sunshine, air, a beautiful sky-all
that we can see-than do
II see you manage to get some good
out of boks."
Il do. | can live with books-but you
owe something to the world. 1t isn't at
all necessary to be a bookworm do you
think it isl"
lie said he did not. Then, gradually,
but very naturally, the conversation drift
ed into an exchange of views of likes and
dislikes, of favorite authors, and then
how strange the sensation was to him, it
was altogether new-Arthur Mayberry
discovered he was not as familiar with
the eXcellencies of several noted authors
as Miss Atherton, who, however, never
| quoted line. She was so simple, so un-
affected, and 50 genuine in her manner,
that he said to himself, How this girl
would astonish the Bruces and their set
If they could only hear her"
| From which it may be inferred he was
head over heels in love, as indeed he was.
AS for Miss Anterior, she regarded him
as one of the handsomest and most intel
| ligent and unaffected young men she had
met. And once or twice she remembered
that but for him she would not be sitting
there talking to him.
Her father was unaccountably delayed,
she said, but the time sped very fast and
| it was very agreeable to sit and talk to a
young man who did not use supertluous
words, or laugh at his own dull jokes, or
weary one with commonplace remarks.
1t was a surprise to him when he learn
| ed. incidentally, that she was going to the
concert that evening. He was jealous in
an instant. Who could he be? What
sort of a fellow did he lok like? Some
rough, coarse fellow, possibly, not at ell
fit to wait on girl who displayed such
taste as Miss Atherton revealed. He
was consumed with curiosity. And he
was very careful to conceal the fact that
he was going to the concert.
The simple truth was that Anterior
was very fond of music. He was devot-
ed to music in his youth, and even row
| was member of the church choir in
which his daughters voice was accounted
| the finest AthertOn and his daughter
rarely missed fine concert or new opera.
But how could Mayberry know this?
Il fear | may interfere with your ar
rangements if / remain longer" said
Mayberry, rising.
"lf you refer to the conCert'-she smil-
ed don't think l ever required more
than fifteen or twenty minutes, at most
| to get ready to go anywhere"
Mayberry thought of the long half
hours he had sat in sundry parlors, wait
ing the appearance of his lady friends
They were getting on famously, these two
yet not word had been uttered that
| could possibly indicate their estimate or
appreciation of each other when suddenly
the door opened and Anterior entered.
AS his eyes fell upon Mayberry, his man
ner underwent change. Instead of well
coming him, instead of holding out his
hand, he said in constrained manner:
1--WE meet once again"
Mayberry, scarcely knowing what to at
tribute the change to, answered at ran
dom:
"Yes, twice in the same day"
Then he remembered how much was at
stake, and plunged into the heart of the
matter.
"Mr. Atherton have made an appoint
ment for tomorrow. when we will call on
Mr.. Mead"
morrow" Atherton's eye was on
his daughter.
IF you cannot go tomorrow, make the
time to suit your own convenience. Your
presence will be absolutely necessary
and the sooner the better"
Anterior, who was standing, still avert
ed his gaze as he replied: II don't think
/ can go tomorrow"
Mayberry waited for him to name
day, but Anterior continued silent, until
his daughter interposed.
Can you not fix day, father, that will
suit you both? Mr.. Mayberry has been
waiting some time to see YOU"
II don't know can't say"
The pudder stopped suddenly, and laid
his hat aside, Mayberry's pride was
touched. Possibly something had caused
the pudder to change his mind. Perhaps
he regretted the terms he had made with
Mayberry. Perhaps he could do better
and wished he had not been SO precipi-
tate. Or possibly other causes were at
work, Mayberry with his usual decision,
cut the knot at once.
IF you have changed your mind since
We have talked it over, | will return the
paper You gave me.
mo, no! | did not ask you TO return
the paper" said Atherton, in visible dis
treSs now.
THAT is the very reason | feel | must
return it now, Mr.. Atherton," said May
berry as he produced the paper and hand
ed II to Atherton
Then, as the puddler took il reluctant
= ly, Mayberry added coldly, IF at any
time can serve you in this matter, you
may command me-"
20! very well. Just as you please
just as you please" answered Atherton.
II wanted time to think, but since you've