The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1904-05-19
The Odd 7hinq
About 1T.


voice.
1.-The odd thing about it is that
don't really dislike him at all"
you will tell me next that he
doesn't really dislike you," said Maud
Leslie, with an unbelieving laugh.
81 am afraid" said Vera, there is
no doubt about that" l could have
pointed out grave doubts; but wasn't
more than .halfawake. Besides, |
couldn't be quite sure that they re-
ferred to me.
did you say afraid Ve?"
"You needn't bubble over my
words" she answered impatiently.
There was pause.
Dear old Vet" said Maud, in a
moment. Here again l ought to have
pretended that just woke up, and an
nounced myself.
81 hate him!" Vera observed in
consistently.
49," said Maud, heartily, "do T."
I could not we'll proclaim my presence
after these remarks.
"At least l think do"
I'm sure do" said Maud, positive
ly. 81 consider him horrible"
ooh, Maud. You know he isn't"
rude to YOU"
IL provoke him, you see."
THAT is no excuse at all. Look at
the way he contradicted you about
those Tuscan vases, or whatever you
call them"
81 contradicted him first
"Why shouldn't your"
"Because-he was right"
(Which made it all the more annoy
ing"
YES" said Vera, with a sigh.
wished l had never let her have her
own way"
Never mind, dear. You refuted
him about those silly pre-something-
brother things"
Moo; l didn't, really"
ooh, but you did! Papa and every
one laughed at it." Confound them!
"Ah, butt was sorry and he knew
It."
1NOu0SeuS0, We.
Didn't you hear what he said to Sir
Garvin O'Brien about them afterward?
If you remember"
II don't! l didn't understand a word
OF their gibberish, and didn't want
to-" Quite right, Miss Maud: women
shouldn't dabble in antiquities. Then
they wouldn't quarrel with antiquari-
ans
Anyhow, it disposed Of my theory
completely"
'Then why didn't he say it at the
timer"
Probably he thought me beneath
argument" AS matter of fact had.
for once, made an effort to be mag
unanimous, and spare her feelings.
He is a great deal too superior"
stated Maud. L felt myself blushing.
HE really knows great DEAL" sug-
gested Vera, timidly I made I'D my
mind not to quarrel with her any
more.
"a lot of antiquated rubbish of no
use to any one," scoffed Maud. 1 could
feel that she was tossing her head.
"Jack calls him the Iumberroom'!"
Jack is young asst
II don't agree" said Vera hotly.
Jack is"
mo, he isnt!" He's very nearly
engaged to Maud.
"a charming and intelligent fellow,
1 was going to say"
Nasty little story-telIer." thought
they were going to quarrel, but they
didn't.
We'll, I'll admit the learning Of
your Mr.. Norton said Maud when
they had done laughing, Out"
He isn't my Mr.. Norton" Vera OBJ
jected. There was a further pause.
Ii Maud had gone / should have felt
inclined to come out and place "Mr.
Norton" at pretty veras disposal, but
Maud didn't go.
DO you really like him, old Ve?"
she asked.
only just little"
''Sure?"
"Yes-almost sure"
Il can't see what you like in him.
protested Maud. impatfentIy. Hes
forty, at least" Thirty-seyen only.
Miss Maud.
Il don't care if he is. He looks
young"
Hes full of conceit." That really
was mistake
On, Maudie! OF course he can't
help knowing that he knows things!"
"Rubbishy Antiquities | beg your
pardon, dear old girl, for attacking
your subject; but they are. ANYHOW.
[ don't believe he knows half so much
about them as you do"
That" said Vera, 'is utterly absurd.
do not deceive myself upon that
point.'
have been studying antiquities for
30 years. She has dabbled in them
for two Her frioudc bo5