The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-10-14
!. As he came over the ran. he

and he stepped into the room. His
entire manner had changed, and Katlr-
arine stood in amazement at the vision
of the paragon of propriety In her
room on his knees before her door
knob. What was more. he was run
ming on with merry nonsense the
while, in a way she could not have
imagined possible. He was obliged to
give up the problem, however. and re-
turned to the balcony.
Il see but one way for you, Miss
Harrison. "1'll ask the driver to
stand at the horses heads, and IL you.
can climb the rail-it's not very high
I'll stand on the seat and help you
down. Can you manage It, do you
Think" His eyes were dancing with
fun. as he looked into hers. Gould II
be that the precise Mr.. Payson was en-
joying this escapade?
II can do it all right" admitted
Katharine. "but, yes. I will. I
mustn't disappoint Harry"
"Oh, stop him quick!" she cried.
1--WE forgotten my music! What
stupid"
Payson told the driver to turn back.
then said:
II don't wonder that you forgot it.
But I'm equal to another raid on your
room"
But it's not my room. oh, how
can l ever get 1t? It's in the music
room"
"You must have Il, I suppose?"
81 could get along, but my accom-
panist-" The carriage stopped at tbs
entrance.
"Is there a balcony OF the music
room, too?"
Eyes,"
"Then that's dead easy II the win
dow is unfastened. II not, glass is
brittle" They drove to the side OF
the house and stopped, by Katharine's
directions.
1.-The music is on the piano in my
music-roll," said Katharine. as he en-
tered the window.
AS they neared their destination,
Mr.. Payson said:
Suppose we keep the events Of this
evening to ourselves, Miss Harrison?
Not that you have anything to be
ashamed Of; but l know what your
life will be il Harry Thayer gets hold
of what has happened"
He is an awful tease" said Kath-
arine. Il never thought, but I'd have
to explain, though. It's kind Of you
if we could avoid telling
"Of course we can. It's agreed, then,
that it's a secret between u.s."
Harry had no time to question as
he dragged Katharine into the dress
ing-room. saying:
"T've had to change the programme
now, so as to bring your first song
later"
Don't be cross, Thayer," said Pay
son. Our delay was absolutely un-
avoidable, on her part, at least"
THAT was generous" thought Kath-
arine. And almost as if it was his
| fault"
She was at her best that evening,
many telling her they had never heard
her sing SO WELL Harry and Mr.. Pay
son were on their way to her after
the concert, when Harry said:
Much obliged to you, Payson, for
escorting Miss Harrison safely here at
last. But I'll relieve you now; can
take her home"
| "Thayer," said Payson suddenly,
how much claim have you to Miss
Harrison?"
| None at ALL" answered Harry,
| promptly, "only she's my cousin, and
I've always known her."
"Then 1 take her home" said Pay
son, decidedly.
Hope you won't be as long getting
there as you we're coming here"
laughed Harry, adding, as Katharine
came toward them: "Mr. Payson in
sists on finishing up the escorting
business, Kit so I'm out"
AS they left the carriage. Mr.. Pay
son said:
"Why did you seem so surprised
when Thaycr said was to take you
home, Miss Harrison?"
"Why-I-thought you must be dis
gusted with me. I'd made you so
much trouble, and l knew you were
so particular about"
about the proprieties? have that
reputation, know. and l am. have
no patience with girls who do all sorts
of wild things unchaperoned; but this
is different Such thing might have
happened to anyone, and your evil
dent distress proved that you were
the kind Of a girl had always
thought you were. Anyway, shall be
very glad II may have the privilege
of calling on you and being admitted
in a proper manner, not climbing up
some other way May II"
Katharine assented. and he went on
impulsively:
II heard you say as left you to
get the carriage: What will he think
of me?' Some time shall be glad to
tell you exactly what think of you"
and his eyes told her then, as she
babe him good-night-American
Queen.
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