Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-15


off in the woods somewhere, he
fastened to make repairs. To save his
life he could not think what she was
talking about, and as he fancied that
in all probability she did not know
either he risked the conversational coin
on the coffee.
What is it?" she asked anxiously
II don't think it is very hot" he re-
piled.
You think what isn't very hot?"
why, the-what you are talking
about" Chetwind responded with a
dignity which might be interpreted as
sarcasm or reproof, as the matter
should turn out.
How can feathers be hot or cold in
woman's hair? | suppose you haven't
heard a word have been saying" She
spoke with finality of tone, her voice
very much upper register, the cause in
the atmosphere, her heart in her mouth.
the national institution here, there and
everywhere working overtime.
my dear Nita, if you will permit
me-" Chetwind returned, and his tone
of injury was tremendous, "or no,
should not assume that you are familiar
with the phraseology of New York be-
low the park, but as a matter of fact
1 said that didn't think a woman with
feathers in her hair was an especially
hot proposition"
"Oh," said Margaret, and she laughed
Historically.
About the feathers?" he ventured.
"Take that Ormond woman" she in
stantly responded, and Chetwind knew
that she was off.
"All gewgawed up and" Chetwind
determined to cut in before he was
again sidetracked.
"Yes, 1 more admire women like Mrs.
Winward- -Hayden-stately and-and-'
Margaret stared at him. 1t was an
inhuman sort of regard. She wondered
with a joyous tremor of anguish if she
was face to face with the cause
She said icily. with yellow hair,
which has that fresh every hour ap-
pearance, l suppose"
"Er-why, did 1 say something?"
Chetwind felt that the sooner he had
business at the Office that morning
the more discretion he would exhibit.
He seldom felt valorous at the break
fast table.
IF you would say less and think
more, 'Chet,' it would be nicer" Her
severity was as intense as a seltzer
lemonade, and Chetwind ate curly
pieces of bacon silently. II am sorry
that you don't admire me, but since 1
at least to pretend" Hers was the
asperity of the petite woman with ideas
and a great many little gilt pins in her
hair.
Chetwind put down his knife with
the butter on it and placed his roll on
the plate.
Don't admire you? Why, who said
I didn't admire your" he asked.
"You said it." she replied.
"Nita, you" then he appreciated his
helplessness.
"I'll prove it to you,' she returned.
L SpOhG VI Tic OlillOilb
and ruffles and
well. she makes me think of a bath
towel trimmed with point lace" Chet-
wind hoped he was out of it.
"She has nothing to do with the case
not thing in the world!'
Chetwind again registered "Oh!"
"Then you said you liked the Win
ward Hayden style
"Well, l do" He was off the track
again.
"Well I don't" she announced Then
Chetwind said "Oh!" again. and his
thoughts wandered to the way Manhat-
tan closed the day before.
After that Margaret had nothing to
say and as nothing that was expected
followed Chetwind forgot about it and
returned to his paper. Then Margaret
looked at him again and studied his
face. AS a matter of fact. she should
have had a dose of bromide-and Chet-
wind should have entreated to hold her
hand on the spot. After awhile she
IT always thought she was that sort
of a woman" The flutter in her voice
was ominous but at that moment Chet-
wind was only conscious that X. Y z.
had closed at 1915, and that there had
been transaction of enough shares to
fix a national debt.
'What is it tonight?" he asked, hav-
ing a supplementary half cup of the
mot so warm" coffee.
"Opera night
"All right. Whose along?"
81 can ask Mrs. Winward-Hayden'-
Chetwind was innocent, therefore in
discreet.
"Oh, she'll be there in the Alkens
box" AS a matter of fact it at that mo-
ment occurred to Chetwind that Hay
den had said so when he (Chetwind)
had wanted Hayden to dine and talk
over some matter of business with him
on this night. 1t occurred to him and
he mentioned it.
"She will!" Margaret felt it was time
4 - afs,,,iae tla hutlar aIthnuoh he WAS