Evening journal., 1904-08-24

perfect rows Of teeth that the smile
exposed
Il am going 10 have a friend with me
for month";" Barbara had told Baird
Dunham in preparations "a girl that l
particularly want you TO meet. She's a
raving beauty and MS sweet as she can
be-"
II she had spoken all Of her thoughts
perhaps she might have added. 80
sweet that at the end OF a month you
win want 10 kill her or do something
desperate and outrageous" But with
a commcndable self restraint, she ban
ished this unruly idea TO the dark
chamber Of unspoken thoughts.
In the weeks that followed she ef-
faced herself. pushing Amy into Dun
hams society In every possible way,
but doing 1t so gradually and skillfully
that he scarcely realized how little he
was seeing Of his friend and comrnde.
If she saw less of him, however, she
saw more Of Jack Lester. whose com
panionship was grateful balm, be
cause he was not forever talking about
beauty. however much he may have
admired It,
At first Baird haunted the house like
spirit. while his plans for Miss Aver
Ills entertainment fairly tumbled over
each other I'm their eagerness. These
plans. Of course, always included Bar
bara. but with a mastery skill she
withdrew from them more and more
until almost before Baird realized what
had happened he noticed that he and
Miss Averill were usually alone With
Miss Averills exquisite profile beside
him. however, he was not in a mood TO
complain.
Then. about the middle Of the fourth
week. his soaring spirit suddenly touch
cd earth. He was guilty Of brutal
heretcal thought. Right in the middle
of a long afternoon that they were TO
spend together he was seized by great
weariness. For the life OF him he
could think Of nothing TO say. lie was
bored
lie stared at the beautiful Miss Av-
Grill with sort of stupefied wonder
1t seemed incredible that the society OF
so exquisite creature could be so un-
commonly like muggy weather. II
seemed an age since he had had a good,
bracing talk with Barbara. Now that
he thought of It. Barbara must be see
ing a good deal Of that Lester chap
Vaguely. as If he had happened upon
them In a dream. he recalled having
met them together several times lately
81 don't believe You are thinking Of
me at all" pouted Miss Averill. i've
spoken TO you twice, and you haven't
even heard me II isn't nice Of YOU
"Eh-whatw exclaimed Durham, try
ing TO call his rowing thoughts together
and insisting upon hearing the remark
/ he had inadvertently missed.
81 asked II you don't think the Wal
dorf Is lovely? l think it's just sweet
Yes" assentcl he recSlessly. THAT
expresses Il sweetly. It's just sweet.
Ana he east about in his mind for
some excuse by which the hours that
stretched before them might be short
ened. He felt precisely as he had once
I'm his childhood, when he had surrep'
tltiousy bought ana eaten six char
lottc russes.
Miss Averill confded TO Barbara that
night that she didn't like Mr.. Durham
so we'll as she thought she did.
Hes so dull Don't you think SOP
she demanded.
There have been times when he
seemed So" Barbara confessed airily.
Then she wondered If Baird's ears
were aaame. Three days later the
radiant Miss Averilrs visit came 70 an
end. Soon aftcrward Dunham dropped
in TO see Barbara. quite in his old man
ner.
"Ah. this is good!' he said gloating-
ly as he sank into the depths Of his
favoritc chair There's so much talk
to make up" he went on in genial en-
ioymcnt that scarcely know where
TO begin"
Barbara turned her head to one side
and surveyed him with half closed
eyes.
I'VE might begin with feminine beau
ty." she suggested helpfully. There's
so much TO be said about It,"
A pause followed In which several
new IDEAS entered Dunham's mind,
linen ne ueinantcN, NOT WlluuuA u toAi'
scious sense of guilt
"Just what do YOU meanW
He leaned forward and studied her
face, and though she flushed under his
keen scrutiny her eyes looked back at
! him proud, unwavering and bit de
FAINT
IL certainly admire beauty" hc be
gan softly "But | take back what
r have said about falling in love with
D one. You see. little girl. I'm so used
J. to you that the beauties bore me-"
VI Really" she sconed "for a wor-
II shipper of the fairr
But pair OF strong arms were
q about her and a rueful voice pleaded:
II "Scold me some other time. dearest
II bargain.
n "Did you hear what Whimpton's lit
p tie boy said when they showed him tn,
d twinsg"
no. What was it?"
4.