The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-12-27

dxxvk to the dinner table after
Q XN Q answering the telephone
IN she looked so sober, es-
To'S peclally in contrast with
her previous high spirits. that the
family resolved itself into an interro-
CATION point at once.
Harry can't come for me-" she said.
slowly.
"Is that all? Thought there must
have been death at the very least"
"No, that's not all He very kindly
provides me with an escort and that
escort none other than Mr.. Randolph
PaysOn."
We'll. what's the matter with Mr..
Payson? thought he was all right"
That's just what's the matter-he's S
so invariably and provokingly all right.
Hes n perfect paragon of propriety,
and / shall be sure to do something
to shock him. I've half a mind not
to 70"
"Oh, Katharine. interposed her
mother, you must Harry is depend
ing on your solos"
one has failed him OF the last minute
all he wants me to sing another
hate these concerts for the benefit of
something anyway; they're always In
some stuffy hall, and there's never a
decent piano"
IAN unprejudiced observer would al
most be tempted to think YOU are
cross, Kit" remarked her brother. p
Its enough TO make anybody cross.
l don't see how Mr.. Payson can recon
cile it with his conscience to take me
in a carriage without chaperon. but
harry says he jumped at the chance.
The idea! OF course it was all right
to go with Harry"
well, dear" said her mother. sooth-
ingly, you must just do the best you
can. can't imagine why you feel
so about it. Most girls would be de-
lighted with Randolph Payson as an
escort"
Most girls are scared blue of him
just the same It's enough to 'rile
anybody just. to look at him, he's so
absolutely farltless."
Katherine was ready at the appoint
cd time. and was alone the other mem
bers of the family. including the maids.
having gone out She was positively
nervous about meeting Mr.. Payson.
and started violently when the bell
proclaimed his arrival. she picked
up her gloves to go, but to her horror
her room door would not Open No
it was not locked and the knob turned
but did not unlatch. Meanwhile the
bell rang again. Wlat lhould she do?
or course she could not make him
hear, and she ratified the knob and
pounded and pulled to no purpose.
She lived in the lower hat OF an apart
ment house and her room had long
windows opening on small balcony
She rushed out there. only to find that
she could not see the front entrance.
hut she hailed a boy passing.
boy" she called, come here If You
want to earn a dime The boy came
with alacrlty. "Is there a carriage
ia front Of the house," she asked.
yes said the boy.
"Then please 90 around to the en-
trance and tell the gentleman who is
at the door Of this fiat that Miss Har-
rison cannot come TO the door Just
now, and ask him to please wait a few
minutes. DO you understand it,"
"Yes'm." said the hoy. and repeated
the message. Then be started off.
"Oh, come back a minute DO you
knnW " ha In nil
Then please so and ask him TO come
ut once 10 Flat /. and fix a door that
won't open. Now don't tell Tie gentle
man that" she added as she tossed
him a dime
A moment or two later. She heart.
steps but instead Of the small boy
or the janitor it wss Mr.. Payson. Her
first impulse was to hide. but the glare
of the street light made her conspicu.
GUS so he had already seen her. Lift.
ing his hat. he said. Good evening.
Miss Harrison as calmly us if it was
his daily custom TO greet from the lawn
young lady on balcony
"oh," began Katharine. II told the
boy not to tell you"
lhe DOy, SAID Mr.. Pays0n grayely.
gave me a rather confused message
shout door and waiting and said be
was going for the janltor. insisted
on knowing where | might find the
young lady who had sent him. and
following his directions, | am here. "
Yes said Katharine. confused.
MAY ! ask what theStrouble Is, and
II l can do anythingT
Katharine wanted to tell him he
might ask anything II he would only
take of that expression OF calm dis
approval which made her feel as if
she were a naughty five-year-oId. But
she explained matters in an embar-
rassed. hesitating way which made
her appear more charming even than
usual. la
'Isnf your door lockedf" bel cN ,
= knew you'd ask that No. &