The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-12-01

been appalling had 1t been less pie
turesque. Billy's face was study, but
whatever his thoughts were his ntten-
ton was unmistakable. Not one of
Tessies glances sometimes merry,
sometimes coqucttish alhl sometimes
trimming with babyish sweetness
intended to make him feel how big
and strong and different he Wis failed
of its mark. Tessie did not know
much, but that what she knew she
knew remarkably well was slowly
borne in upon Mrs. Jack during that
half hour.
When the distant thud of the front
door at last proclaimed her departure
from the premises Billy, who had out
STAYED her, burst into an uncomfortable
guffaw, IN which bis hostess Joined
him somewhat ruefully. But the out
burst was not followed by any Of the
caustic remarks that might have been
expected from n bachelor of his views
and standing. On the contrary, gen
Ial. amused CLEAN fingered In his eyes,
the amusement OF a grownup with
dainty, foolish, attractive child.
"Tessle is such IA silly little thing
observed Mrs jack apologetically,
you mustn't mind her
Mind herr" calculated her visitor
warmly. 81 should say not! She's
great And he chueltled reminiscent
".
But on the subject of Miss Blair
Mrs. Jack found him unresponsi7e.
"Do you suppose he's Interested and
doesn't want to show it?' size demand
ed of Jack. that fountain of wisdom,
ut the dinner table. because Virgin
las precisely the sort of girl he pre-
tends to admire. Now that I've found
his ideal for him he doesn't seem to
appreciate her"
Her husband laughed at the chagrin
in her voice.
"If he doesn't fall in love with the
lady we've provided
according to his plans and specit1-
cations" giggled his wife.
According to his own plans and
specifcations-why, I'll punch his
head"
But in spite of his opportunities Billy
remained cold to the charms of the
sensible Miss Blair. In time Mrs. Jack
noticed that it became increasingly diff
ficut to throw them together Billy
simply would not be thrown.
"Proyide man with what he pre-
tends to like and he Immediately finds
out that he doesn't want IT," she re
fected, with justilable cynieism. "IIe
says he likes sensible girls, but he
won't look at Virginia, though he will
hover about that little idiot. Tessie
Loring, like moth about a fame
And indeed there was plenty of foun
dation for her statement. Far from
causing Billy to take to the woods, as
Mrs. Jack had feared she might Ties
sic seemed to exercise some subtle In
fuence over him. The two We're for
ever meeting, both at Mrs. Jacks and
elsewhere, by the merest chance, OF
course And it was noticeable as time
went on that, though they arrived sep
arately, they invariably left together.
A month later he came to tell hei
of their engagement.
"a good many persons mlsjudge TIES
sic" he began, as If he felt that she
might be one of the number, but In
reality she is one of the most sensible
little girls in the world
He said much more, and Mrs. Jack
swallowing hard, accepted 1t all, agree
ing with him ut every point. But wher
she WAS alone again she laughed unit
the tears streamed down her cheeks
and thus her husband found her
What under the heayensY he In
CURED, but he got no further.
"Blllys going to marry Tessle Lor
Ing" she announced breathlessly. HE
says she is so sensible!'
Jack gave low, incredulous whls
tie.
Talk about love being blind" he
blurted out at last "Why, love has
an X ray eye! Nothing short of al
X r0y could see anything sensible II
Tessie"
And he thrust his hands In his pock
cts and roared with her.