Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-01-01
Observation-Disclosures
5 FOR THE SAKE OF
( APPEARANCE
By Hubert Mclean Johnson

For the sake of appearance. you
know" l added noting her hesitation
"Well," replied Phyllis in an uncer-
tain way, "for the sake of appearance
then"
The room was hot and stuffy. and
dancing is warm work anyhow.
"The veranda is lot cooler" l sug-
gested.
For the sake of appearance also"
questioned Phyllis, elevating her eye
brows.
Certainly" l answered, glancing in
the direction of Mrs. Gillespie. at
might look strange if we didn't. you
know"
at has one advantage" said Phyl-
lis-"one does not need to talk out
there"
Phyllis laughed. 1t sounded kind of
good to hear it. Phyllis has a pretty
laugh and particularly so when one
has not heard it for q whole month.
did you hear the latest?' l asked
by way of changing the subject.
(Which is questioned Phyllis apa-
thetcally.
"Of my engagement finished.
Phyllis was interested. She leaned
forward in her chair and rested her
chin on her palms.
"This time to- she pursued.
But l was not going to commit my
self.
what do you think of Oracle Raw
shaw" said |.
81 thought you preferred taller girls
and bonds" commented Phyllis.
Beauty is only skin deep" l quoted
sententiously.
Phyllis herself is exceptionally pref
ty.
81 suppose So" she said dreamily,
taking no notice of my remark. But
it's awfully funny" she concluded,
with little laugh.
Il fail to see the humor of the sit
uation,' l replied stifily. This is not
exactly testing matter with me-"
81 should not imagine so" said Phyl-
lis dryly. But I'll apologize. l used
the wrong word. l ought to have said,
what a coincidence"
coincidence? How?" l queried in
CONSERVATION.
l anticipated something, but / don't
think Phyllis knew it. l flatter my
self that my cigarette never trembled.
l have always prided myself on my
nerve.
81 might make little announce
ment myself said Phyllis quietly,
with just the faintest suspicion of
laugh in her voice.
l ficked off a sixteenth of an inch
Of ash. Ashes are so liable to fall on
ones clothes, you know.
and the man" It's remarkable how
tobacco steadies one.
81 believe you will find people con-
graduating Mr.. Dawson Graham this
evening" replied Phyllis demurely.
Lucky devil" | calculated impolte-
ly. l said other things to myself.
never had much use for that fellow
anyway.
Phyllis bowed in mock courtesy.
people are good enough to say so,"
she assentcd. Il really can't say that
see it myself. but
l laughed. The thing was appealing
to my sense of humOr. It's a most eX-
cellent thing you know, to possess a
sense of humor.
1--WE wouldn't have believed all this
month ago" said l. Il would have
laughed had any one suggested such a
thing
How fortunate!' said Phyllis. with
apparent irreverence.
"WhlchY" / asked. THAT | wouldn't
have believed it or that / would have
| laughed?"
That we found out in time" Phyl-
lis seemed quite serious. "Afterward
it would have been apt to create such
scandal"
True" said l. I'VE did quarrel &C.
casionally."
"Occasonallyw shifted Phyllis. "You
might better say eternally. Why,
remember one time
when you were staying at Boreas
Beach," | interrupted
mo, not that one" corrected Phyllis
-"when VAS
And l used to sail up the river to
look at you, You wore a yellow dress
mat summer, you know, and l could
see you on the veranda. How l used
to wish l could get up the courage
to land and go up and talk to you! /
don't suppose you ever even saw me-"
"Why didn't you" said Phyllis I'M
reasonably.
I knew why. My Imagination gave
me vivid picture of Phyllis turning
her back and walking inside. Phyllis
knew too. But had sense enough not
to answer.
"Then there was that time
"Are you going over them all?" ask
ed Phyllis YEARLY.
II suppose there won't be time" said
/. But you have no idea how much
/ thought Of you that summer, little
girl"
sand now" questioned Phyllis soft
ly.
rothar Iota 20 aroo~. 80, IL