The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-28
AN INTERLUDE


truly describe the look she gave me
I suppose most people would have said
that she was angry. If heightened color
a curling lip and flashing eyes denote
anger. then must admit that she was
in fact she said so.
At the same time I must admit that
/ had never seen her look more charming
'I am very angry" she repeated fol
the second time.
/ did not answer. 1t was moment
when silence seemed more discreet than
speech; besides, I had nothing TO say.
every angry indeed she continued
with fresh emphasis.
'Why should you be?" 1 asked
sswhy?"
She opened her eyes to their fullest eX-
tent and simply gasped-
..Ohi YOU are''-then she turned her
head away impatiently. giving me the
cold shoulder in very literal sense. 1t
was a very white and rounded shoulder,
and it showed in the dim light OF the con-
servatory like a patch of snow at night.
Mrs Estcourt has very sensible ideas
and her Conservatives are just suitably
warmed just suitably heated and the
corners are beautifully screened by big
palms. 1 think we were sheltered by the
largest; certainly our corner seemed TO
re the most delightful place l had ever
been in.
But, as I said before, Amy was very
charming girl.
A dying leaf dropped airily into my
lap. 1t brought with it an inspiration,
and, picking it up, 1 gently touched her
shoulder.
In an instant she turned upon me like
. ,A-tigress.
"You"-
"No," ] said calmly; it was this leaf
1t has just fallen
She frowned and rubbed her shoulder
After all spoke the truth; it was the
leaf.
You don't seem to believe that am
angry" she said.
"Oh, yes. do
"You knew I should be angry?'
Certainly
"Then why did you do it?" she asked,
severely
Why
Again I was inspired. We were sitting
by fountain, one of those absurd trickl-
ing affairs in which gold fish swim in
circles. It was very still and clear, and
you could see yourself in it as in a mirror.
called Amy's attention to this.
Look" l said.
She bent forward.
"Well? she said.
''Well, you know why did it now"
"Ohr'
She beat an impatient tattoo on her
knee with her fan. Still, L don't think
she was displeased.
"You get worse instead of better"
NAY. 1 think 1 get better instead Of
worse" I retorted rather wittiIy. think.
You must admit that it is an advance"
IAN advance?'
81 have never done it before"
(''Not with me, but
rI meant not with you
fBut with how many others?' she
asked, scornfully.
1 reflected. There seemed a good many,
but. OF course
mot more than half dozen" I an
swered. No man would have answered
such question truthfully.
/ IT suppose that haired thing, Belle
Emythe Vas one?" she murmured.
ZOO. Amy" L cried, tragically. You
ccSuldn't think''-
/"wel. if I thought you had I should
never have let'-Then she bit her lip and
blushed
'Then you did lett began.
mo. Go on, tell me their Names"
Really, I've forgotten them
''Well. it is impossible to remember
them all. ! dare say
''I did not think them worth remember
ing"
"And 1 suppose it will be the same with
me?''
Amy, you can't think that?
But I do. Haven't you treated me in
The same way? You didn't ask their per-
mission. 1 suppose?"
''Why. no"
"And you didn't ask mine
NO; you'd have thought me very silly
FL had asked
Indeed, / shouldn't, and you must un-
derstand that l won't be treated like
those others"
II haven't treated you like them
"You have"
pardon me; there was differences
great difference"
What was it, pray?''
There was pause. I employed it by
asking her hand She tried to withdraw
1t. but / don't think she wanted TO sue
ceed. At any rate she didn't.
fI was going TO tell you what it was"
] said. but you wouldn't give me time
.tYou should have told me before" she
replied.
l.'But you forget. couldn't until
i"No. / suppose you couldn't. Well, go
en-"
We'll I went on. I went on pretty fast,
TOO. i can't quite recoliect what 1 said
now, but it seemed TO please her. Her
checks grew roster her eyes brighter. and
once-at the part where l said she was
the only girl had ever really love-weIl,
she just squeezed my hand.
''You believe me?" I said when I had
finished.
You really mean it," she asked softly
"Really?"
For a moment I was at loss. Girls
want such a lot of convincing in these
matters. and 1 had said all / could say
What could I do? Then I was inspired
sgain, and-well, 1 did what l had done
at first
''Now, do you believe me?" l asked.
''Oh. yes. but-my hair I'm afraid
people viii notice" and she put up her
hand
well. 1t doesn't matter if they do
now" I said.
And she laughed.-John W. Mayan, IN
Illustrated Bits.