The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-03-24

up compromise can only look on
But my friends are having pity on me-
and filling my card for what they cal
stationary dances"
Alan laughed as he took the card
which was already almost filed. anC
wrote his name in one of the blank
spaces. Some one called Hillhouse
away, and then an awkward silence
fell upon them. For the first time
Alan noticed worried expression on
her face.
''You have no buttonhole bouquet. .
she said noticing his bare lapel
That's what you get for not bringing
girl. Let me make you one"
81 wish you would" he said thought
fully. for as she began to search among
her flowers for some rosebuds and
leaves he noted again the expression
of countenance that had already puz-
Zled him.
"Since you are so popular" he went
on. his eyes on her deft fingers. I'D
better try to make another engage
ment. I'd as well confess that came
in town solely to ask you to let me
take you to church tomorrow even
ing
He saw her start. She raised her
eyes to his almost imploringly, and
A.. then she looked down. He saw her
breast heave suddenly as with tight
ened lips she leaned forward to pin the
flowers on his coat. The jewels in her
1T TN
was delicate perfume in the air
about her glorious head. He had never
seen her look so beautiful before. He
wondered at her silence at just such a
moment. The tightness Of her lips
gave way. and they fell to trembling
when she started to speak
81 hardly know what to saw" she
began. ''I-I-you know said the pre-
siding elder was at our house. and
"Oh, | understand" broke in Alan;
that's all right. OF course use your
own
mo. must be plain with you" she
broke in, raising pair Of helpless, tor
tured eyes to his. "You will not think
l had anything to do with it In fact.
my heart Is almost broken. I'm very,
very unhappy"
He was still totally at sea as to the
cause Of her strange distress. Per
haps you'd rather not tell me at ALL"
he said sympatnetically. His tone new
er had been so tender. you need not.
you know"
But it's a thing l could not keep
from you long anyway" she said trem-
ulously. "In fact, it is due you-an ex-
PLANTATION, mean. Oh, Alan. papa has
taken up the idea that we-that we
like e2nh other tno much nrd"
Ane re ana soul seemed to leave
Alan's face
81 understand" he heard himself
saying: ''he does not want me to visit
you any more"
She made no reply. He saw her
catch deep breath, and her eyes went
down to her flowers. The music struck
up. The mulatto leader stood waving
his fiddle and calling for 1.-The grand
march" in loud, melodious tones. There
was a scrambling for partners The
young men gave their left arms to the
ladies and merrily dragged them to
their places.
Il hope you do not blame me-that !
you don't think that r. But the clat-
ter and clamor ingulfed her words.
"No, not at ALL" he told her. But |
it's awful; simply awful! know you |
are a true friend. and that's some sort |
of comfort"
And always shall be-" she gulped |
You must try not to feel hurt. You |
know my father is very pee uliar man
and has an awful will, and nobody was |
ever, so obstinate"
Then Alans sense of the great in
justice of the thing rose up within him.
and his blood began to boil. Perhaps
ought to take my name off your
card" he said, drawing himself up |
slightly. "If he were to hear that
talked to you tonight, he might make
it unpleasant for you"
'If you do, shall never-never for
give you," she answered in voice
that shook. There was, too, glisten-
ing in her eyes as if tears were spring
ing Wouldn't that show that you
harbored i'll will against me, when l
am so helpless and troubled|
Eyes, it would, and l shall come
back" he made answer. He rose, for
Hillhouse, calling loudly over his
shoulder to some ~1e was thrusting
his bowed arm down toward her.
81 beg your pardon" he said to Dol
ly. II didn't know they had called the
march. We've got some ice cream hid
out upstairs, and some Of us are going
for it. Won't you take some, Bishop"
"No, thank you" said Alan, and they
left him.