Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1904-11-11
The Wooing
I OF MarSery
By NORAH ALEXANDER

"Miss Adair!!"
The girl started, and her eyes
went instinctiyely to the great
stretch Of common on her right, for
it was late and dark, and London
Just then was ringing with a series
of CHASTITY murders. But, being a
young person OF much GOODNESS, ste
smiled the next moment as she too.
a quietly scrutinizing glance at the
man who had now overtakcn her. L D.,
was stranger, but not of the genus
Murderer. He was also a little
pulled.
MAY I-er-see you home?"
"Gcrtainly mott" she said severe
ly. ..
"Ohw he expostulated. "No, upo1
nv honor, it isn't my fault l was::ll
introduced to you tonight. Digby
swore solemnly he would, and the j
he was so wrapped up in gettin,
ready the slides of his stupid oil
lecture that nobody wanted to listen
to-
"May l inquire who you are:
she began.
"My name is Beresford. l have
no need to ask you who you are,
he added. "I have known for long
time. But tonight I heard them
calling you always darling Miss
Adair.' I've wanted to know you
for two years. I've watched you
pass my gate every day for the last
two years. l always 60 to the win
dow as soon as Eve finished my
breakfast and wait for you, and
then again in the evening. l am
sure" he added automatically,
"that you will understand. You
see at my age it isn't as if I were a
boy
'cNo, of course not" she agreed,
with a cheerful alacrity that some
how damped his rising spirits. 81
remember now. I've heard my land
lady speak of you. You live in
that big red house facing the COM
mon, don't you?"
you'll let me see you home.
won't you? You're not going to
quarrel with me again z"
'Do CO." she pleaded. ''1'm all
right, and I'm so used to going
about alone"
81 hope you will allow me to see
you safely back tonight at all
events" he said stifly.
ooh, if you insist" she rejoined
lightly. II was only thinking Of
you, you know"
"I'm not sugar." he suggested If
ritably.
At the gate she turned and put
out small, friendly hand.
"Good night, Mr.. Beresford, and
thanks very much. Oh-h-h! How
dare you?"
Frank Beresford stood transfiXed.
He had done nothing more alarming
than raise his hat, and there she
stood, with flaming cheeks and an
cry eyes, glowering at him like a
youthful Fury.
"What's the matter?" he inquir
ed helplessly.
But she only repeated in a fresh
burst of wrath:
Glow dare you? How dare you
speak to me and walk home with
me?"
"Whatever do you mean?" he de-
manded. "Upon my word l don't
understand you. You were friendly
enough just now"
"Of course 1 was" chokingly. 81
Il thought you were your fatherv'
"Good Lord" he calculated fee
bly,, and began to see daylight. Of
course she had been frank and
charming II she thought-Dut 1t
was hardly a flattering thought.
And the reflection that his figure
was not quite so slim as it once
had been gave him a momentary
twinge. But his sense of humor
prevailed.
"Well," he said cheerfullv, "that
being so, don't you think you owe
me an apology?'
"-Apology!' she burst out. "And
what did You mean by saying
How old are you?"
'Thirty-fve," he said penitently.
'But my fathers sixty-fve."
"Thirty-fve," she repeated scorn-
fully. "And how in the world''-
there were angry tears in her voice
-"how in the world was | to know.
with your collar all up like that
He trrnnd IT meeEly down