Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-08-03
Mr.. CIifford'S
Conventional Relapse
BY
s. e. KISE R

CLIFFORD had a hobby. 1t took the
l form OF q desire to be unconven-
tional. He liked to think that he did
things as his feeling or as his duty
prompted, and not because custom said
he ought to do them.
Consequently when he and Miss
Faunce were left alone together by
their hostess, who had excused herself
on the plea that there was something
about the dinner which she wished to
oversee, he took up book and glanced
at the title page. After a moments 81
lent scrutiny he said:
Miss Faunce, we haven't anything
to talk about, have WEI"
81 don't quite understand what you
mean" she answered.
"Oh, it's plain enough why Mrs. Ridge
way went out and left us alone together.
suppose you know why she invited
as here. 1t was simply because she
wanted us to meet each other. Isn't that
your understanding Of it,"
The girl might have chosen to be Of
Tended, but she didn't. The color in her
cheeks may have deepened a little.
Otherwise she showed no sign OF per-
turbation, as she replied:
Il haven't the slightest doubt that you
have guessed the truth"
well, now she leaves US alone sim
ply to give US chance to say lot OF con.
VeRtional things to each other. / might
ask If you had seen certain play, and
you might reply: Yes, wasn't 1t love-
lyI' Or you might make some remark
about the beautiful outlook from that
window, and l could answer: Yes, it's
one of the finest views ever saw
We'd each know that the other was try
ing TO make talk simply for the sake Of
being polite. You might much rather
sit there and strum on the piano than
to have to think of meaningless things
to say to me. Why not be honest about
these things? What's the sense in bor-
Ing ourselves simply to bore other peo-
ple?"
There's no sense in 1t at ALL" she
replied. $50 let's not talk. 1 don't
care to strum on the piano, but l began
reading that book last night, and II you
don't mind letting me have it I'll finish
another chapter or two while Mrs.
Ridgeway is out. I have an idea that
she will not be likely to hurry back"
81 must congratulate you on your good
sense, and at the same time thank you
for not misunderstanding me. The fact
Is | have never met yoGng lady be-
fore that 1 would dare talk TO as have
been talkingto you. feel, somehow, the
moment I saw you, that l might speak
frankly to you without being considered
q boor"
Now, II I desired to conform to the
foolish conventionalities might an
swer that it is very good Of you to say so.
Let me see, where was II Page 81,
think"
She yawned, without attempting to
conceal 1t, and, settling back in her big,
comfortable chair, began to read.
Clifford stared at her for moment,
wondering whether 1t was the way the
light happened to strike her hair that
made It look so rich and soft or whether
It was glorious in fact. He crossed the
room and looked at her again. Her hair
was as beautiful as ever, and he got q
new view of her profile that rather
startled him. He had noticed when they
were introduced that she was q good
looking girl, but not until he got that
view of her profile had he realized that
she was superb.
She crossed her knees and gave her
skirts feminine jerk 50 that she could
be sure her ankles were not on exhibit
ten and continued to read.
"You seem to fiud your story very in
teresting," he said, after he had taken
several turns around the room and tried
to find something aside from the girl
that was worth locking at
She gave a nod Of assent.
"Of course" he went on, discovering
now that she was beautiful no matttS
what his angle Of vision happened to
be, Il didn't mean that we were not to
take the trouble to speak to each other
when we had anything to talk about"
"Tknow, she answered, without look
ing UP.
He went over to the piano and ran
his fingers up and down the keyboard,
after which he stood for moment at
one of the windows from which there
was a fine view of the wide stretch of
lawn that sloDed down toward the high