Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-08-17
The WOOing
OF Margery
"Miss Adair!"
BY MORAN ALEXANDER


it WAS late and dark, and London
Just then was ringing with series
Of CHASTITY murders. But, being a
young person Of much GOODNESS, she
smiled the next moment as she took
a quietly scrutinizing glance at the
man who had now overtnken her. He
was a stranger, but not of thegenus
murderer. He was also Il little
pulled.
"May I-er-see you home?"
Certainly not" she said severe
ly.
"Ohw he expostulatcd. mo, upon
my honor, it isn't my fault | wasn't
introduced to you tonight. Digby
swore solemnly he would, and then
he was so wrapped up in getting
ready the slides Of his stupid old
lecture that nobody wanted to listen
to-
"Nlay | inquire who you are?"
she began.
"My name is Beresford | have
no need to ask you who You are, "
he added. Il have known for long
time. But tonight | heard them
calling you always darling Miss
Adair.' I've wanted to know You
for two years. I've watched you
pass my gate every day for tile last
two years. | always 30 to the Will
dow as soon as I've finished my
breakfast and wait for you, and
then again in the evening. / am
sure" he added automatically,
"that you will understand. You
see at my age it isn't as if | we're a
boy
'No, of course not" she agreed,
with a cheerful alacrity that some
how damped his rising spirits. 81
remember now. I've heard my land
lady speak of you. You live in
that big red house facing the COM
mon, don't you"
you'll let me see you home,
won't YOU? You're not gong to
quarrel with me again.
ado 60" she pleaded. Pm all
right, and I'm so used to going
about alone"
81 hope YOU will allow me to see
you safely back tonight at all
events" he said stiffly.
ooh, if YOU insist" she rejoined
lightly. 81 was only thinking OF
you, you know"
pm not sugar." he suggested ir-
ritably.
At the gate she turned and put
out small, friendly hand.
"Good night, Mr.. Beresford, and
thanks very much. Oh-h-h! How
dare YOU
Frank Beresford stood transtxed.
lie had done nothing more alarming
than raise his hat, and there she
stood, with flaming checks and an
cry eyes, glowering at him like a
youthful Fury.
"What's the natter he inQuir-
ed hclplcssly.
But she only repeated in a fresh
burst of wrath:
GLOW dare you? How dare you
speak to me and walk home with
me? ?"
"Whatever do you mean" he de-
manded. upon my word | don't
understand you. You were friendly
enough just now"
"Of course | was" chokingly. Il
Il thought you were your father"
"Good Lord" he calculated fee
bly,, and began to see daylight. OF
course she had been frank and
charming if she thought-but it
was hardly a flattering thought.
And the reflection that his figure
was not quite so slim as it once
had been gave him momentary
twinge. But his sense of humor
prevailed.
"Wcll," he said cheerfully, chat
being so, don't you think you owe
me an apology"
Apology" she burst out. "And
what did you mean by SAYING
How old are you?"
"Thirty-tive," he said penitently.
"But my fathers sixty-fve."
"Thirty-fve," she repeated scorn-
fully. "And how in the world"-
there were angry tears in her voice
.-"how in the world was | to know,
with your collar all up like that
He turned it meekly down.
"And your hat all over your
eyes
He took it off.
"And you look
"Yes," he assented ruefully, 81
suppose / do. Still, couldn't you
forget that rather immaterial fat
and just remember that-that I'm
very much in love with your"
Never" she flashed out. "Why.'
turning on him in fury of con
tempt, II never even knew there
was such a person as YOURSELF
And she showed the latchkey into
the door with vicious jab.
Miss Margery Adair was padding
lazily up the river.
And Fred Beresford, watching
her from his coign Of vantage be-
meath the willows he was ostensi-
bly, fshing--used language, directed
apparently at no one in particular,
that was not exactly parliamentary.
|. 81 l,.