Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-03-15
HOben Hg)oman
Reeds HGoman

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ''W W.T.
"I'm glad to find that. there arg
no old maid procliyities about you"
observed Edith.
"By what line of reasoning have
you reached that conclusionP" re-
turned Jack, the bridegroom, pre-
pairing the lather for his matutinal
shave.
Edith, in kimono and silk petit
coat, had paused, with her hair half
brushed, to rummage in the top
drawer of her husbands chiffonier.
cities, handkerchiefs, cotillon IA
vors, odd gloves, cigars, matches.
photographers, letters. Letters
from a woman tool What careless,
thoughtless creatures men areP
Jack was busy lathering his pink
cheeks and paid little heed to the
chatter of his vivacious bride. Let
her rummage among my effects, ne
thought, if it pleases her.
Edith sat quietly with pile OF
letters in her lap, some in their en-.
velopes, some heaped up without
having been refolded after their
perusal by the recipient. She sorted
out several in the same handwriting
from the mass of bills, invitations
and wedding announcements that
helped fill the drawer. She did not
feel that she was doing anything
mean or underhand in reading what
had not been intended for her eyes.
Were not Jack and herself one9
Was he not standing but few feet
away, and could he not prevent her
from reading the letters if he
wished?
Jack, however, was carefully re-
moving the lather from his upper
lip. To keep his razor on the proper
road was all he was capable Of con-
sidering at that moment.
He finished shaving just as Edith
finished the last letter. Then he
looked around and saw her occupa-
ton. He took up one Of the letters
and, recognizing the handwriting,
gave little start.
"That's not exactly honorable OF
ro,, Edith - ha said "to read Dix
is's letters"
Gust as honorable for me to read
them as for you to leave them about
20 carelessly," she retorted.
A sharp answer rose to his lips,
but he repressed it.
at doesn't matter much" he re-
turned, with a smile, "for they
aren't love letters. don't think
Dixie would mind your seeing
them"
There was an odd expression u
the eyes of Edith as she answered:
"Not love letters? Well, If not
that they come very near the defni
ton"
"Nonsensep exclaimed Jack
Dixie never thought Of me in thai
way. We were friends, that's all
Good friends, chums, everything
like that, but-oh, no, Dixie nevel
cared for me in any other sense"
perhaps you were in love will
her, though observed Edith, will
some frigidity in her tones.
Jack Strengthened up his tall fig
ure and proceeded to brush hi
smooth hair deliberately. He di'
not answer at once,
IT told you, Edith, that Dixie ant
I were friends" he said after lonl
pause. "She is a good fellow-th
Kind one chums with. We were tina
kind of friends"
Edith picked up one OF the let
tiers.
"This sounds like friendship
doesn't it?" she said, reading:
Jack. dear Jack. 1t seems like an etei
atty until next Saturday. when you sal
you'd come and have tea with me-
J IT can't forget dear old boy. how 20
booked the other night. After you LETT
went to work AMI drew your race Q
cuiclsiy as could, so I'd not lose the e.
preston. 1t was 30 lifelike when hnisr
Cd that / kissed it-sketch OF you.
"And this" she went on, takln
Nd the other letters, one after tn
ether, reading bits from each:
TON Darling asked me yesterda
vhether I did not think he had bette
physique than you. Imagine the van''
OF himl Why, Jack, dear old feiiow.
know II won't hurt you at all. for yo
aren't q bit vain, but the artists Al Z,
class all say you ought to let Earl moo
you as Hercules. wish l were scuil
COR instead OF pen and Ink. Wouioh
spring to fame on your shouldersf
You did not come yesterday, az ~
promised. was angry at first, then nu
terribly hurt But 1 thought IL ov'
and concluded 1 must have said som.
+ ching that displeased you the last nigl
YOU ere at the studio. There should
no Misunderstanding between frieno
81 4 am Just writing, Jack, 10 ASK you
,.,ur Daily Food disagreed with you ar
what's the remedy.
Jack laughed. d,
: 81 suppose you wonder what 81
8 means by that last sentenceT !
i asked.
"Of course. I'm just devoured !
curiosity"
Jack did not notice the sarcas'
lurking in her words.
ut was a joke Of Tom Darling's
} he explained. "You see, Dixie
such a nice little thing, and once
fellow at one Of her parties quot'
: that thing about
"A creature not too bright and gooo
For human natures daily food.
"Tom started calling Dixie Dai
Food after that, and when any OF I