Democratic messenger., 1904-12-03

SlDle girls. l can Sc. that he growing
so dISglsted that lie wants To escape
the entire sex" And with shade of
suppressed annoyance she rose. formu-
lating an intention 10 keep Tessie as
far as possible from Ma Staunton for
the rest of the evening.
1t seemed. therefore, almost too un-
fortunate that the -wo should happen
10 meet again ut her house late one
afternoon of the following week, hav-
ing been moved to make their bread
and butter call at the same hour of the
same day.
Tessic WAS ut her best-or worst
and ratified away in the patois of So
ciety i'll Il manner that would have
been appalling had it been less pic
turesque. Billy's face was Il study, but
whatever his thoughts were his atten
ton was unmistakable. Not one of
TeSsie's glances sometimes merry.
sometimes coquettish and sometimes
brimming with babyish sweetness
intended TO make him feel how big
and strong and different he was-failed
of its mark. Tessie did not know
much but that what she knew she
knew remarkably well was slowly
borne in upon Mrs. Jack during that
half hour
When the distant thud of the front
door at last proclaim her departure
from the premises Billy, who had out
stayed her. burst into an uncomfortable
guffaw. in which his hostess Joined
him somewhat ruefully. But the out
burst was not followed by any Of the
caustic remarks that might have been
expected from bachelor of his views
and standing On the contrary, gen.
ial. amused gleam fingered In his eyes,
the amusement of a grownup with
dainty. foolish. attractive child.
"Tessie is such silly little thing"
observed Mrs. Jack apologetically.
"you mustn't mind her"
"Mind her. calculated her visitor
warmly. Il should say not! She's
greatw And he clIuckled reminiscent
ly.
But on the subject Of Miss Blair
Mrs Jack found him unresponsive.
"Do you suppose he's interested and
doesn't want to show it?" she demand
ed of Jack. that fountain of wisdom.
Mt the dinner table Because Virgin
las precisely the sort of girl he pre-
tends to admire Now that I've found
his ideal for him he doesn't seem to
appreciate her"
Her husband laughed at the chagrin
in her voice.
"lf he doesn't fall in love with the
lady we've provided
According to his plans and specifi-
cations" giggled his wife.
"According TO his own plans and
specfications-why. I'll punch his
head"
But in spite of his opportunities BILLY
remained cold TO the charms of the
sensible Miss Blair. In time Mrs. Jack
noticed that it became increasingly diff
ficlllt to throw them together. Billy
simply would not be thrown.
Provide Il man with what he pre-
tends To like and he Immediately finds
ont that he doesn't want it," she re-
flected. with justiiiable cynicism. He
says he likes sensible girls. but he
won't look at Virginia. though he will
hover about that little idiot. Tessie
Loring. like Il moth about flame"
And indeed there was plenty of foun-
dation for her statement. Far from
causing Billy to take to the woods, as
Mrs. Jack had fe; red she might. Tes
sic seemed In exercise some subtle in
fuence over him. The two were for
ever meeting. both mt Mrs. Jacks and
elsewhere. by the merest chance, of
course And it WAS noticeable as time
went on that. though they arrived sep
arutely. they invariably left together.
A month later le came to tell her
of their engagement.
"a good many persons misjudge Tes-
might be one of the number. but in
reality she is one of the most sensible
little girls i'm the world
He said much more. and Mrs. Jack.
swallowing hard. accepted it all. agree
ing with him at every point. But when
she was alone again she laughed until
the tears streamed down her cheeks.
and thus her husband found her.
What under the heavens?" he in
quired but he got no further.
"Billy's going to marry Tessie Lor-
ing.' she announced breathlessly. HE
says she is so sensihle.''
Jack gave low. incredulOus whis-
tie
Talk about love being blind"' he
- hn-
an y ray eye. Nothing short of an
y ray could see anything sensible In
Tessie."
And he thrust his hands in his pock-
cts and roared with her.