Middletown transcript., 1904-06-04

Her words seemed to recall him to
himself.
Thank you. cannot tell you how
much obliged am. You have done me
a great service, Miss Luttrell. /
No, indeed-I have done nothing.
am honored that you should care for my
signature at all But have you great
many names down? May look through
the book (?
Certainly, if you care to do so. ouiy---
Why did he suddenly hesitate? Eve
lvn, Who had turned over couple Of
pages and was contemplating IN obvious
astonisliment the blankness Of their con-
dilion, instantly dropped her pen and
glanced quickly from the leaves before
her to the Major, who stood watching
her movements, with the color mounting
slowly bnt-surely to his very brow.
This is a new book, she announced in
rather ominous tone. 1t is not only
the fifteenth of August which is empty
every page is the same
Yes,- of course-did / not explain :?
Tie Majors face was steadily ayerted
IRON the ilquiring gaze of Eselyn's blue
eyes. You see, books of this kind do
get filed up in time. When there are
only five lines to each date, they are gone
directly-the result OF which is that
new book has to be Immediately supplied.
Evelyn looked slightly incrednlous.
What number of friends you must
have
The Major gave an expressive shrug OF
his shoulders.
Yes; when one comes to count them
by the lines in birthdry book, it is
really astonishing how many one seems
to have. However, Miss Luttrell, as you
have been the first to enter your name
in this one-he turned to her with a
smile-for the future shall reserve it
only for my most particular friends, and
label it Special
So you do not mix up all your friends
indiscriminately - you have different
grades of birthday books? Evelyn clasped
her hands behind her head and laughed
amusedly at the bare idea. A book for
the people you like, book for the people
you dislike, and another for those you
simply tolerate
Yes-that is my method, replied the
Major, readily accepting the suggestion.
AS it happens, though, you see you did
not come exactly under one of my three
headings therefore had to start new
book entirely on your account.
1t was very kind Of you, am sure
but how will you manage in the future?
If you now have four instead OF three
books, you will have to divide your
friends quite differently.
Well, it would seem so, certainly. The
Major possibly detected the touch of
cynicism underlying Evelyn's words. I
believe I shall have difficulty in finding
any one else to place under this new
heading. The book has been begun with
your name, but there | am pretty well
sure, it will have to end. Miss Luttrell,
please do not go! know you think l
am stark staring mad, and in the circum-
stances you may be exeused-if you do
but, believe me, was never more sane
in my life.
Evelyn however had pushed back her
chair, and at the sound Of steps in the
corridor had risen somewhat hastily to
her feet.
Oh, no-I do not think you are mad
It is not that at all, she returned, putting
the writing paper together and closing
the blotting book with an unusually calm
air, though his words, spoken so earn
estly. so much more earnestly than the
occasion or subject seemed to demand.
had sent all the hot color rushing to~her
cheeks. 1t is aunt Lydia's book which
is troubling me she will be in despair.
But here comes Mr.. Falkland! Ask him
to write his name in that wonderful BIRTH
day book of yours only remember, what
ever you do-in a tragic aside-insist
upon the year And, with parting
nod, Miss LuttrelI turned and fed.
CHAPTER V
On the followingeyening Lady Howard
and her niece, accompanied by the inde-
fatigable Falkland, were taking little
stroll along the terrace, when Major
Brown appeared and handed note to
Evelyn.
The last delivery, and only one letter
Dear me, the postman is treating us
badly to-day exclaimed Lady Howard.
with symptoms of establishment. / have
been expecting to hear firm the boys.
Their school breakes up on the twenty
ninth, and 1 was wanting to arrange
about the trains. Why, Evelyn dear,
whoever is your correspondent You
look surprised, she broke off suddenly.
Well, yes-I am, said Miss Luttrell,
with little nod, contracting her broUs
into distinct frown. 1t is from the
bank but what it means | have no idea.
l cannat make head or tail of it.
From the bank repeated Lady How
ard questioningly.
Yes, explained Evelyn. They say that
the enclosed cheque was presented at the
bank this morning, but that they ie-
fused to cash it on the ground that only
the initial of my second name Was signed
instead of my name in full.
ALL understand 1t is merely your
own mistake, suppose? You wrote tie
cheque in hurry and forgot how you
usually sign your name?
That must be it, Of course, unused Eve
Ign in a tone which, in spite Of her
wards, saunded slightly doubtful. All
the same, though-with sudden decision
Il am perfectly certain that have not
written any cheque for five hundred
| pounds!
Five hundred pounds! My dear child,
| why did you not tell me that at once
Lady Howard turned anxiously towards
1 hor nipcp of mo laok af tho ehoo,Io