The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-06-24

never before had the full extent of it
thrust upon her. She made little rush
at Miss Maynard, kissed her fervently on
both checks, then went into her own
room and shut the door between.
Throughout the week of her friends
stay, it seemed to Gencvra that by the
simple act of courtesy i'll giving her the
place at table next the man who had ex-
hibited some degree of fondness for her
self before the friends arrival, she had
placed her there for life. If the day
happened to be clear and Sound placidly
glass-li and they rowed in boat to the
opposite shore, it was Paul and Miss
| Maynard who sat near together, and
she ard Jean. If on the contrary. the
day were stormy, the Sound like oil, and
the opposite shore gone out of sight alto
gether i'll 81 binding mist, and they re-
tired to the parlor for the purpose of
passing away the time, Paul and Miss
| Maynard FASTENED to occupy a distant
divan, while she and Jean played duets
figured as to quality of tone by the damp
ness fits environment.
In spite of her knowledge of the fact
| that the two sat rather closer together
than was absolutely necessary i'll a re-
treat which might have been less dim.
| Gcnevra found amusement in the duets,
and her laughter rippled. Upon one occa-
sion, at sudden and prolonged out
burst of merriment, Paul rose deliberate
! ", crossed the room, and put the piano
| down.
you are making too much noise" he
said.
There were tears in the eyes Gencvra
turned to Jean.
He quickly took cigar from his peck
ct, slipped the little gay emblazoned ring
thcrefrom, and, as before, placed it cere-
moniously upon her finger.
II see you lost the other one, said he,
cor, maybe, it tore in two. They are
rather fragile rings, when you come to
think it. What do you care, sweet
heart, when you are mine: Have you
forgotten that we are to be married in
the autumn ~
All of which was SO deliciously droll
that Gcncvra laughed again as, p'acinga
bovishly protecting arm about her waist,
he led her from the room.
Outside, he proilcrcd further cxplana-
tion.
The difference in size, he broodcd, as
the only reason don't lick him." Pres
emily, however, "You've got to be ordi-
narily polite 10 man who is paying
your hotel BILL" he added, with an at
tempt at airiness.
The week dragged leadenly. After each
day Genevra thought she beheld new
beauties, fresh witcheries in the friend.
Her skin was like the little shells cast up
by the waves, her eyes blue as skies, each
tooth tiny pearl set exquisitely and per-
fectly-so perfectly that Genevra found
herself wishing that some not quite fatal
thing might happen to her so that she
would have to go on home. Neverthe-
less, outwardly keeping up every SEMI
blance of the old and ardent friendship,
Genevra conducted the good-nights with
endearing words and kisses quite as fer
vent, if not more so, than formerly; but
back of the closed door between the two
rooms, she smothered sobs in her pillow,
and stranglcd tears.
At length, it ended; she saw Miss May
nard seated safely in the hotel surrey
bound for the station and New York,
watched the last twirl of her stylish
white veil as that vehicle rounded the
curve of the long gray road; then. turn
ing large-cyed and wistful, she faced the
elder brother.
WELL" said she.
He descended the steps of the veranda.
Come with me-" he commanded.
For a space, arrived at the beach, they
walked in silence. Then, "The way you
have tlirted with Jean during the past
week." he declared, in the firm, round,
decisive tones naturally belonging to
such a frame. has been simply atroci-
Gus, not to say scandalous."
Gcuevra opened wide, glad eyes. Sud
denly, as if by magic, the Sound changed
its aspect, the sunshine ripplcd all aRng
each little wave.
From the first evening at dinner" he
continued frowningly, when you allow
cd him to pcrpetrate the diocy of putting
that little paper engagement ring on
your finger, your behavior has been past
the comprehension of people who are
sane"
In spite of the fact that it was broad
daylight, Gencvra took his hand and laid
it tenderly against the down Of her check.
WAS that WHY" she asked, softly.
His answering voice was tender as her
caress.
THAT was why" said he.
1t was late, and Gcnevra stood at the
window of her room, restlessly happy. A
great, gold moon hung over the Sound,
ilanked by a second moon glowing in the
water.
Opcuing her door, she ran swiftly down
the stairs into the dimly lighted hall out
on the vcranda, thinking to cure restless
ness by stroll on the beach i'll the light
of the moon.
The long veranda faced the moon and
the Sound, and on the top step there sat
alone Il boyish figure, the head buried
disconsolately in the curve of an arm.
Gcncvra, crossing noiselcssly, went
down a step or two, stood before the
boy, and, with gentle hands, lifted up his
head. The moonshinc disclosed tears on
the lashcs.
Jean" she questioned, wonderingly,
what is the natter"
Drawing his hand across his eyes, he
dashed away the tears.
Nothing" he said.-ADe Anderson
Norris, in the Smart Set.
Went broke? Why, thought you
were betting on sure thing" Il did"
Then how comes it that you went
broke :" "a was at the wrong end of the
sure thing"
A fool and his money sometimes have
a ievial parting.