The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-07-29
The Ml@m@mV@lr@ OF Marian.

| "You are talking nonsense!" she de
clared. you ought to feel very wei
indeed" She shot the brightest bit Of
look at me, then down at herself
| and then it embraced our surround.
ings.
'N course, l am very comfortable. y
| admitted, leaning back in my seat
but | can't help worrying about tina,
loss ! told you Of"
why do you worry?" /
Because" said |, very slowly and
clearly, 81 am afraid that You are lH
ginning to value that same heart"
Marian fairly jumped. She sat veN
straight in her seat Afraid" sje
echoed, THAT same heart! Whole
hearth
"Why, Farrington's," I explained
striving to seem surprised. Whose
did you think / meant?"
81 am going back to the dancing
she said at last, and her voice ex-
pressed Unreasonable indifference.
please not!' begged.
81 don't care to sit here any longer.
If you can't tell the truth, l shall go
in and dance with some one who CAMP
but ] did tell the truth" l pr,-
tested. "Surely Farrington-"
Marian turned my way. The frowns
left her face. The corners of her
mouth turned upward.
What has he got to do with it?"
she asked.
81 wish I knew" ] returned.
She gathered her skirts in her hand
preparatory to rising. 81 am going
was her ultimatum But I think it
is very mean of you to make me-"
How do make you?" l asked, sulk
lily.
Good by. Mr.. Wentworth"
"You are taking an unfair advantage
of me- l urged.
She rose. Her skirts trailed grace
fully about her. She looked down at
me over her shoulder. She seemed to
have grown suddenly taller.
you are bullying me terribly" she
complained.
The ghost of dimple barely indent-
ed her cheek She took one step to-
ward the ballroom. l sprang to my
feet.
well. then, it wasn't Harrington,
I said ungraciously.
Marian turned. She loked me Up
and down with smiling eyes.
"Shall l tell you whose it was? /
demanded.
She shook her head. "I haven't IL
bit of curiosity about it." she de-
clared. and continued on her way.
"Where are you going?" | cried, dis
mayed. "You promised to stay longer"
"I never promise anything" was her
sphinxlike response.
Just at this moment our hostess ap-
peared in the doorway, loked in upon
us, smiled, and withdrew.
ooh, dear, said Marian, "do you
know what she will say"
WHAT" I asked, although l well
knew.
"she will say we are-engaged."
at won't be the first time, you
know" I murmured, consolingly.
"Will!" she cried, threateningly.
THAT people have said So" l ex-
planned. II don't mind it, if yop
don't"
"But l do" flashed Marian, an
grily.
I sought for way to mollify her.
"If she thinks that is possibility
she would know that it would have
happened long ago." said, my eyes OH
Marian's face.
Her flush deepened. "Let us go IN
and dance" she suggested. There was
regret in her voice, but Marian is art
full. =,
l sighed as I followed her to the ball
room; in the doorway | spoke. =!
don't know why 7 was cheated out OF
my German" I said.
Marian looked at me. She put up
one hand to tuck a rebellious curl be-
hind her ear.
Don't you?" she asked, innocently,
but there was twinkle behind the
seriousness in her eyes.
The energetic two-step quickened
suddenly. ceased altogether for an in
slant. and then changed into the ia
miliar, dreamy strains of Home sweet
Home"
harrington was coming up the ball
room. but before he reached our corner
Marian and | were lost in the crowd.