Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1905-07-01

But Lura SHE'D into the rear seat like
frightened collie, while the magnill-
cent Rose was handed up to Ben by her
chivalrous brother. Well, no matter
Ben took up the thread of his plan lit
tie crestiallen; no matter, the Hiltons
were a jolly lot and Rose was the best
of company in spite of-her age.
Right il the middle of dissertation
on the od-fashioned Fourth" Jack
Kennedy passed them. He lifted his
cap to the Misses Hilton and bowed to
Ben as IL went by. But Grace Phillips
was with him,
"Why. Thought" and Rose Hill
toms partner ON the front seat was so
astonished that he did not finish the
sentence.
you did not expect to see them to-
gether," said she, nodding toward the
Kennedy turnout. 20, yes; they made
up weeks ago and are to be married in
September and she smiled, amused at
Ben Easton's perplexed face
"I-didn dn't-know stammered he,
finally, looking straight over the horses
heads and feeling that the earth must
be spinning good bit faster than usual.
well, know" rejoined Rose, 'for
have a part in the festivities. But, my!
don't look as if you had seen ghost,
Mr.. Easton; it is no uncommon thing
for lovers to make up, r it? | notice
they generally get married then, silly
things, | should never be caught that
way. If man will quarrel before mar
riage, rest assured he will after; and
I'd as lief live with Hottentot as a
jealous husband"
Miss Hilton made telling shot, but
Ben covered up his wounds and made no
sign. He was wondering If his inde-
pendence was not on the wane some
what. He wished he knew what Mille
was doing; and he tried 10 imagine, if
Miss Hilton preferred = Hottentot to
one like himself, what Miles opinion
could be by this time. He was afraid
the trick he meant to show her was only
mean. sneaky one. after all.
When they reached the grounds every
body seemed to have great breezy cor
ner on American liberty and enjoyment,
but their merriment drove him into his
shell farther and farther. What had
he in common with them, man who
was worse than Hottentot? He had
heard of people seeing themselves oc-
casionally, and felt that the salutary
experience was coming to him.
But the Hitons did not notice his
mood in the least. When they planned
something jolly, if he could not join in
they simply left him out as if he were
of no CONSEQUENCE. And when Tom
proposed going to the top of a bluff
planting the stars and stripes and shoot
ing off tirecrackers in order to play
it was Bunker Hill, he thought he was
the biggest fool extant.
Il feel more like tory" he muttered
under his breath, "and I've already met
my Bunker HILL" But they did not
seem to hear him and scampered away
for their sham battle, leaving him to
think.
Along in the afternoon the Hiltons
had excused him again and gone for
row on the water; and while he sat dis
consolate and lone he saw Mile drive
on to the grounds in the Hilton phaeton.
The horses looked jaded and she seemed
weary and troubled If he had not been
such a brute, how he would now fly to
her comfort But boy took the horses
and she sought seat under the trees.
al ought to go to her" he said, look
ing longingly her way, but I'm to see
this cursed blunder to the end. Heav-
ens might as we'll end It now, while
those confounded Hiltons are not by"
he came and stood before her peni-
tently. She looked up. 81 have been
a brute" he said; have suffered all
day, too, for it. Will you forgive me,
Milie?"
al have been sorry all day, too" she
said.
But you haven't done anything" he
replied.
she looked reproachfully and said.
Shall tell now why could not come
with you this morning; would you be-
lieve me?"
You need not explain; 1t is all right
and you would not do wrong, Mile"
He smoke with eager assurance, and
she smiled little.
your faith in me is like a mush-
ROOM grew in night, she said, "and
may perish in day"
'Millie," said he, desperately, I'm go
and hang myself if you make fun of
mel"
Not on the Fourth" she objected.
independence day, you know"
1T is a travesty on independence"
he almost groaned
mo, you are the travesty, she cor
II.