The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-07-28
she ASKED her companion.

I'm so glad, because now | cen
claim the credit of introducing you 10
each other. He's such 4 eood fellow.
Papa thinks he's one IF the cleVerest
men down town. Thank goodness, ]
haven't rreiudiced you AGAINST him By
singing his praises. I warn you, mann
ma and I get regularly tealous of one
ancther whenever Mr.. Croydon calls.
Don't we, mother?"
! The girl looked back mischieyously
at her mother and matted her hand.
you're an impossible child. Carroll
But [ suppose you're used to her. Miss
Harlan"
''You never could get used to any
me so original as Your dau~hter Mrs.
Parsons, She is the personidc1tion of
the unevnected. It's her charm"
THAT viii do for you, Le-lie. Here
comes my masculine ideal. Good
evening again. Neil. Miss Harlan. al
low me to present Mr.. Croydon, a fame
of my mother.
"A fame that goes out too often, l
should say" remarked Mrs. Parsons.
as the young man greeted her. What
have you been doing with yourself
Neil? You look out of sorts Toe
much work down town and too much
play up town? That's what makes us
nation of dyspep, les"
Nov, Mrs. Parsons, is it fair to
criticise me before this critical daugh-
ter of yours?"
Possibly not, but perhaps Yes,
see-this lis your first public appear
ance?"
Exactly. If I'm pale, it's stage
fright. But then I'm part of the show.
and no ones supposed to look at that"
When do you rider" asked Miss
Harlan.
What is your horse?" broke in Miss
Parsons. What is his name, what is
his number-what does he do-what
DO you do? Come sit right down and
tell us all about it,
81 will if l can remember all of
those questions. Let's see What is
my horse! Well he's a hunter, and,
If course, a splendid jumper. His name
is Thanatos. and ny number, curious
ly enough, is 10"
"Why 'euriously'?" interrupted Miss
Parsons.
Because 'Thanatos' means death.
believe, and 10 is supposed to be un-
lucky"
ooh, don't like that" responded
fbo oirI with n cbuddor
You're not superstitious, are you"
''No-yes-yes, think am. Aren't
you, Leslie?"
mot about such things Do you ex-
pect to win, Mr.. Croyden?"
81 certainly do. never go into any,
thing without expecting to win. It's
half the battle"
"And you never suffer from over
ccnfidence?"
Not in the long run. People who
believe too little in themselves tai fac
oftener than those who overestimate
their ability"
COR their horse's?"
Croydon looked at his fair questioner
with surprise. But he smiled pleas
antly as he answered:
"Of course in this case the horse
Is entitled 10 most of the credit. But
every one knows an intelligent animal
will interpret its riders mood with sur
prising accuracy. By Jove, what
good onel' he exclaimed pointing
down at the ring where a gray horse
had just cleared an lin and out" jump.
do you have to do that?" asked
died away.
Mr.. Croydon apparently did not hear
the inquiry, for he was gazing at the
crowd, his eyes following one of the
moving figures. When the girl re-
peated her question he started.
81 beg your pardon Yes, l have to
clear the same hurdles. It's not as
hard as 1t looks. By the way, Miss
Harlan, I have the pleasure of know
ing your father very we'll. Isn't he
here to-night?'
Il think he must be- He was TO
come at ten O'Clock. You weren't
him. were yo9?"
NO, UuI 1 tHUtGllL saw d lilciu VI
his-a Mr. Kenaard,"
"Ch, l know HIM" the girl laughed.
''Why do You laue h?"
II was thinking of the way we met.
1t was such fun"
"Tell me about it," interrupted Miss
Parsons. we know him, too"
who? John Kennard, poor CLYDE
Delaflelds partner?" asked Mrs. Par
sons.
Il believe So" answered Croydon.
This is evidently a confidence" he |
continued, glancing at the girls, who
had drawn close together. will you
take me under your projections"
Mr. Croyden's eyes We're riveted on
the procession as he spoke, and he
continued to gaze steadily at it while
with that peculiar side turn of the !
head he indicated the most flattering |
attention to Mrs. Parsons remarks. |
Miss Parsons turned to him
ard tapped him with her fan.
Are you sure you saw John Ken
nard Neil?"
Il was not. but | am now" he an