The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-10

short onc--thcn drew it demurcly
AWAY.
"Hood night. Mr.. Hiiliard." SHE said.
i've enjoyed it, too"
Miss Virginia." he urged. taking a
step after her. I've Il favor TO ask
Of you. Couldn't you-wouiGn't your
sister be willing for you to appear at
her evenings now"
This is nicer-and so is all the rest
Of my world. Lydia's too much in
doors. T don't like to wear my best
clothes, Mr.. billiard"
'sTry it. It's more fun than you
think. Come down next time-please.
Miss Virginia. I can't grow young
again. and get back into your world.
You can put up your hair and put on
a trailing skirt and-come into my
world. Miss Virginia."
81 really must go" She was on the
top step, her hand on the door. But
she could not escape him. He was at
her side in two leaps.
Il should like to be in the same
world with YOU" he said rapidly.
Miss Virginia, come down next time
will you? It will just mean that you
are willing to be frieuds-comradcs-
in the same world. You don't know
how long I've been waiting for you
to get old enough for that
, She was gone before the words were
fairly finished. Presently he was back
in the hot rooms and the crowd. a faint
flush on his smooth cheek, ana 4 sinSu-
lar sparkle in his eyes.
When at last Lydia entertained
again. billiard found himself entering
the crowded rooms at the Dennings
with a quicker pulse than any social
affair had ever caused him. AS the
evening drew to 4 close and no Viz
ginia came, he blamed himself for an
unwary hunter who had been follow.
ing his game down the wind.
Louis" said Ted Denning'S voice in
his ear, just as he had made UP Ills
mind to go dejectedly home, come up
to my den for a minute, will you?-or
you u up first. and I'll be along.
I've something I want to show you"
Willingly enough, Hilliard escaped
to seek the familiar spot. He opened
the door unceremoGiously-and stopped
with a rush of warm blood to his
heart. With a little cry Of discom-
fitted surprise, Virginia tried to pass
him. but his tall. ad-shouldercd
figure filled the doorway, and lie stood
determinedly still.
But was this Virginia-this lovely
woman with the bluShing face, the
sweet bare neck and arms, the trailing
white garments? A transformed and
gloriied Virginia, then! He stared
at her. a joyful smile breaking over
his grave face. But with her head
bent down and turned aside, her hands
hurriedly pulling a flmy scarf over
her shoulders, she was imploring like
a frightened child who has been caught
at mischief.
"Please let. me go by, Mr.. billiard.
I was not going down ~stairs-really [
was not. I Just dressed up for fun
for-for Ted to see. lit was just for
fun
"You didn't do it for Inc. them"
lie would not stand aside an inch.
He felt with a thrill that her sudden
intense shyness was far more signif-
cant than her appearance down stairs
would have been. The thought swept
him of his feet.
Il always liked to dress up she
breathed. Its a childish trick"
you told me you hated your best
clothes"
81 dov'-vehementiy.
"Then why did you put them on:"
"I-you-Mr. Hilliard!" She raised
her head and tried to meet his look
with dignity, but the lashes fell before
the light in his eyes.
"Yirginia"-he took a step forward
and bent TO whisper the words-"you
did do it for me, only you didn't dare
come down. Tell me, wasn't it so?
You were willing 10 be comrades after
ADJUST comrades for a while, Nir-
ginia-till you get used to it, he added.
under his breath.
Ted's step was on the stairs. Hill
lard turned and closed the door be-
hind him; he set his foot against it.
Virginia looked up appealingly-and
found herself for one breathless mo-
ment in his arms.
"Just comrades-till you get used to
it, darling" he repeated softly, land
then. more-more"
Hello, old man" called Ted, out
side. IBID you find it."
"Yes, I found it," answered bis
friends voice, with a happy laugh.
Come in."-Washington Times.