Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-07-13

hot chocolate before Rex gets here"
ne calculated cheerfully. Look out
there, will you" This last to line Of
college boys who were going through
the crowd like an animated wedge.
| The pretty maiden laughed deli
ciously.
You looked SO angry" she explain
ed between gasps. then stopped sud-
| denly because a small red devil, with
battered mask, aimed a shower of con-
fetti at her laughing face
There was blare Of trumpets down
the street and the long roll Of a drum.
A wave Of excitement submerged the
people Randolph used shoulders and
elbows with a skill that bespoke long
experience on the football field, and the
pretty maiden found herself in the
front of the crowd. Mounted policemen
paced slowly past her, band shrilling
forth IF Ever l Cease to Love-" and
then Rex and his cohorts.
The pretty maiden dlmpled and blush
ed from sheer delight at the gorgeous
spectacle, and the capering maskers on
the fantastic floats repaid her interest.
One threw her great fragrant bunch
of violets, which she clasped with both
hands like an excited child; another
tossed an armlet Of brass; a third a
box of French sweets, until young Ran
dolph was hugely proud Of her. Then,
When the last silver tower and SHIN
mering veil had melted down the street,
he swung her into the crowd again, her
cheeks pink with excitement and the
great purple violets nesting in the furs
under her pretty chin.
"Now let's have that chocolate" said
Mr.. Randolph. They found a corner in
pretty tea room, and he dispatched
waiter for their order, while the room
filled steadily
DO you know" he said, you've
changed somehow"
The pretty maiden came back with
start to the fact that Mr. Randolph
was not lifelong friend.
Have I?'' she asked safely.
Yes" he repeated, somehow you'vs
changed. You always We're pretty, you
know, and l always was your abject
slave, but now
I've changed? asked the pretty
maiden mournfully.
You're $3.50 much more So" he ex.
planned lucidly
You remember" asked Mr.. Ran
dolph presently, how we used to love
each other when you We're ten and l
was fourteen?"
I'VE didn't" she said, with start.
"Ch, nonsense. You cried your eyes
out when l left for school, And you
said you'd marry me when you grew
up-and when we said goodby-you
kissed me-"
II did nothing of the sort" cried the
pretty maiden. very pink and furious.
You've forgotten" said Mr.. Ran
dolph There's no reason why you
should be ashamed of it. A childish
affection is the most sincere-and you
certainly We're fond of me-" he finished
tamely.
Give changed very MUCH" said the
pretty maiden. thoughtfully selecting
a macaroon from the plate Of cakes.
I'm sorry" said Mr.. Randolph sim
ply, because you're even nicer than
s
II want to tell you something" she
said. Pm not Miss Preston-I never
saw you before. I'm here for the car
niyal, and l lost my people in the
crowd this morning. and then you
came and-I know it was horrid of
me- :,
WELL" said Mr. Randolph stiff1y. y
q 10 c1,n ,l0
ed dehantly, "and won't you please go
-now--hurry. please" The pretty
maiden had seen her mother and father
across the room
IF you wish 1t, Of COURSE" said Mr..
Randolph with most unreasonable dig
nifty.
II think you better" she said, and
fairly pushed him away, and in a mo-
ment she turned to her father and
mother with Indignation in her eye.
'Well, you lost me-" she said with
hypocritical anger, "for two whole
hours, and I'm nearly starved"
The pretty maiden and her parents
dined with friends that night, and the
pretty maiden went in to dinner with
Mr.. Randolph. to her unbounded sur
prise. Mr.. Randolph looked similar
feeling. Then they both laughed.
The world isn't so large after ALL"
she said
my world" said Mr.. Randolph,
comes only just up to my shoulder"
A Malay Water Slide.
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