The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-06-03


''As she leans-the slow smile half shut up
in her eyes
Beams the sleepy, long, silk-soft lashes
beneath;
Through her crimson lips. stirred by her
faint replies,
Breaks one CLEAN of her pearl-white
teeth"
-Owen Meredith
UJITHOUT a wild March storm was
wv raging. It went clustering along
the city streets. 1t drove pedestrians to
seek shelter 1t sent its icy dOwnpour
driving against the plate glass windows
of aristocratic Linden square, and half
blinded a man seeking certain number
along that thoroughfare.
"There-that's the number Frank
said!'' The cab dismissed, he turned to
the house, which was one OF a closely
built block of residences, each dlsslm-
liar in design, but not sufficiently so
to make distinction easy in such storm.
The vestibue door yielded to his grip
on the door handle. The insertion OF his
latch key in the lock of the inner portal
admitted him to a wide, imposing hall,
where a cluster of electric lights shed
pies upheld on the newell post by a
bronze Ceres.
Hildreth NARROW soundlessly closed
the door behind him, and stood motion
less a moment, breathing heavily. He
found the seclusion and warmth of this
haven delightful after his battle with
the elements.
"By George, but these chaps back in
civilization do go in for comfort" he
considered.
Seems a pretty big establishment for
only Frank and his wife. Well, I'll make
myself at home. as he suggested.
He turned to the left, AS ne had been
Instructed, opened a door, and stood in
dismayed astonishment stock-still upon
the threshold For the great, luxurious
apartment was softly, but brilliantly
lighted, and-possessed an occupant.
A large Administer rug covered the
floor The wide, lo-v chairs were COW
cred with loose leather. On the dwarf
bookcases that ran around the walls
were bronzes and photographs. Below,
the volumes in fine bindings, made
tempting sight. A jolly good fire blazed
behind a low brass fender. And full in
the fireshine, her gown of dull ruby silk
sweeping about her dainty suede slip
pers, sat the most charming woman
Marlowe had laid entranced eyes upon
in many day.
She was petite and plump. She had
lots of bright brown hair fiuffed up in
aureole fashion over her forehead. Her
IL hod "a roI nd
white Of a damask rose. But just now
there was a decidedly startled look in
her wide blue eyes, and she half rose
from her seat in evident alarm
"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Rogers!"
Marlowe apologized, contritely. Its
a dreadful intrusion, know. |
hardly know how to explain my
walking in like this! But Frank
had to stay downtown at po-
1itical meeting. He said you were away,
visiting your mother. He also said the
servants might be out, and that the
housekeeper was so deaf I'd better take
his latch-key and let myself in! I'm
afraid I gave you a ghaatly fright"
She smiled reassured-and reassuring-
1y. When she did so the dimples came
and went bewitchingly in the pink vel
vet of her cheeks.
Twas frightened-a little-at first!
You are the gentleman Mr. Rogers
-Frank-has been expecting from
Alaska, presume?"
"He has mentioned me to you, then?
Thanks-I will get out of this wet over
coat"
when he had left hat and coat in the
hall he came over to the hearth, and
stood holding out handsome brown
hand to the blaze. We've been together
all the afternoon We dined at one of
YOUR big hotels. But he knew local poll
fics were not in my line, after ten years
in Alaska, so he got cab and packed me
off. assure you had all the sensations
of a detected housebreaker when [
onened the door and discovered-you!"
She Iaughed-a little ripping, musical
laugh that sounded like heavenliest mel
ody to this man long debarred from asso-
citation with refined women.
"I'm afraid you credit our ordinary
burglar with modesty he does not pos
sessi" she declared. "Sit down and tell
me about your far-away world of SHOWS
and hardships, and deprivations!"
eded no urging. 1t was pro-
founuIy pleasant to lounge there in the