Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-07
Mr.. CIifford'S
Conventional Relapse
BY
S. e. KISER

CLIFFORD had hobDy. ~ TOOK the
form Of a desire TO be unconven-
tional. He liked 70 think that he did
things as his feeling or as his duty
prompted. and not because custom said
be ought to do them.
Consequently when he and Miss
Faunce were left alone together by
their hostess. who had excused herself
on the plea that there was something
about the dinner which she wished TO
oversee. he took up book and glanced
At the title page After a moments 81
lent scrutiny he said
Miss Faunee, We haven't anything
70 talk about have WEI"
Il don't quite understand what you
mean, she answered.
Oh. it's plain enough why Mrs. Ridge
way went out and left US alone together.
/ suppose you know why she invited
us here. It was simply because she
wanted us 10 meet each other Isn't that
your understanding Of it?"
The girl might have chosen TO be Of
Tended but she didn't The color In her
cheeks may have deepened a little.
/ Otherwise she showed no sign Of per.
turbation. as she replied:
q haven't the slightest doubt that You
have guessed the truth.
We'll. now she leaves us alone sim
ply TO give us a chance to say lot OF con-
ventional things 10 each other ! might
ask II you had seen certain play. and
| YOU might reply; Yes, wasn't Il love-
W. or you might make some remark
about the beautiful outlook from that
window. and could answer: Yes, it's
one OF the finest views ! ever saw.
We'd each know that the other was try
ing TO make talk simply for the sake OF
being polite. You might much rather
sit there and strum on the piano than
TO have 10 think Of meaningless things
10 say to me. Why not be honest about
these things? What's the sense in Dor
ing ourselves simply to bore other peo-
ple?"
There's no sense in it at all. - she
replied so let's not talk. ! don't
care TO strum on the piano, but began
reading that book last night. and II you
don't mind letting me have il I'll finish
another chapter or two while Mrs
Ridgeway is out | have an idea that
she will not be likely to hurry back.
Il must congratulate you on your good
sense. and at the same time thank you
for not Misunderstanding me, The iac'
lis | have never met a young lady be-
| fore that | would dare talk TO as have
been talkingto you. feel. somehow, the
moment saw you. that ! might speak
frankly TO you without being considered
a boor.
Now. II / desired to conform to the
foolish conventionalities | might an
swer that 1t is very good Of you to say SO
Let me see, where was l? Page 81
think
she yawned. without attempting "a
conceal IL. and. settling back in her big
comfortable chair, began to read.
CLIFFORD stared at her for a moment
wondering whether il was the way the
| light happened TO strike her hair ina
made il look so rich and soft or whether
il was glorious in fact He crossed the
| room and looked at her again. Her hail
was as beautiful as ever. and he got
new view Of her profile that ratheI
startled him. He had noticed when they
we're introduced that she was a good
| looking girl. but not until he got ina
| view Of her profile had he realized ina
N she was superb.
She crossed her knees and gave hel
/ skirts a feminine jerk so that she couil
he sure her ankles were not on eAhloi
ton and continued dread.
@You seem 70 ind your story very 10
teresting he said. after he had ~.
several turns around thereon and - ~.
- ena something aside from the CIR
that was worth looking at
she gave a nod Of assent
"of course be went on, discovering