The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-04-28

I you every Wbcfc. 4 LIS &c mint. Won
krow-the grand march. They are all
ready"
Adele smiled pleasantly. 81 hope
.you'n excuse me from it. Mr. TedcaS.
lie" she said "I've just met friend
from home. want to talk with him.
and
But. Miss Bishop. r.
II asked you to please excuse me.
! Mr. Tedeastle." Miller saw her face
harden as If from the sheer OF con
tempt that passed over it. Il hope it
will not lie necessary for me to explain
my reasons In detail until have lit
! tie more time at my disposal"
] "Oh. certainly not, Miss Bishop ~
said the young man. red with anger
as he bowed himself away.
"Whst's society coming to-" Adele
asked Miller. with a nervous lHTI
laugh. Does lady have to get down
OH her knees and beg men-little jump.
ingtaeks, like that one-to excuse her
and to pet them into a good humor
when she has good reason to change
her mind about an engagement? That's
a sort OF Slavery l don't intend to en-
ter"
"You served him right" said Miller.
who had himself resented the young
mans childish impetuosity and felt
like slapping him for his impertinence.
Adele shrugged her fine shoulders
Lets not waste any more time talk
ing about him." she said 81 was going
to tell you how happy you made them
ALL When | read mothers description
of their return home that night-how
she went round looking at each object
and touching it that she might realize
it was hers again, and how father sat
up till past midnight talking incessant-
ly about it. and all the droll things Tn.
Gle Abner said--I cried and laughed by
turns. | longed to see you. to tell you
how felt about what you did. and yet,
now that I'm with you, all say seems
utterly weak and-inadequate."
1T seems wonderfully nice to me-
Miller declared. II don't deserve any.
thing. and yet-well, like to hear you
talk" He laughed. whether | de-
serve it or not. could listen to you
for a week on a stretch"
In truth Rayburn Miller had never
in all his varied social career become.
so suddenly and startlingly interested
In any woman. 1t all seemed like
dream, and most delicious one-the.
gay assemblage, the intermittent
strains of the music. the touch of the
or fol nf14t.e 10 I,o
fume of her flowers. her hair. her eyes,
He suddenly felt fearful of the passage
of time. the leaving of his train, the
of some one to claim her at
tention. He could not explain the spell
she had thrown on him. Was 1t be-
cause she was his friends sister and so
pretty. frank and sensi-
Bile. or could it be that
His train of thought was broken by
the approach of Miss Ida Bishop,
Adeles cousin, rather plain girl, who
with her scrawny neck and scant hair,
which rebelled against being made
much of. would have appeared to bet
ter advantage in street costume.
'Oh, Adele" she cried reproachfully.
what do you mean? Do you know
you have mortality offended Mr.. Ted
castle? He had the march with you"
"And asked him as favor to ex-
cuse me from it," said Adele. simply.
Il had just met Mr.. Miller who is to-
eave on an early train and wanted
% talk to him about home. Have you
been introduced? AIy cousin. Miss
Bishop. Mr.. Isayburn Miller"
Miss Bishop bowed indifferently and
ooked as ii she still saw no justifca-
ion in the slight under question.
I'm awfully sorry" she said reprov-
ngly. MI. Tedcastle has been as
lice to you as he could be. and this is
he way you show appreciation for it.
don't blaine him for being mad. do
Tou. Mr.. Millery'
I'm afraid I'd be a prejudiced wit
less" he smiled. "benefiting as | am by
he gentlemans discomtiture but real
Y | can't think that any circumstances
'ould Justify Il man in pressing lady
o fill IN engagement when she chooses
lot to do so for any reason of hers"
Il knew you'd say that" said Adele.
If anybody has right to be offended
is |, for the way he has acted
without waiting Cor my full explana-
ion."
"Oh. that Is high and mighty course
hat will do better for novels than real
ife." disagreed Miss Ida Bishop. The
Dung men are badly spoiled here. and
we want attention we've got to hu'
nor them"
They shall not be spoiled by me-
eclared Adele. why" Struggling her
houlders contemptuously. IF had to
un after them and bind up their
ruises every time they fell down la
ot appreciate their attentions. Be
ides, Mr.. Tedcastle and his whole llK
ctually put me to sleep. What %
hey talk about? Driving, pet dogs
overs candies. theater parties ana
lily bosh generally. Last Sunday
enator Hare dined at uncle's. and AFT
r dinner he and | were having really
wholesome sort Of talk, and ! was