Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-06-16
Mr.. CIifford's
Conventional Relapse
had a hobby. 1t took the
s. E. KIsE r

L form of desire to be unconven-
tional. He liked to think that ne did
.hings as his feeling or as mis- 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 moments ST.
lent scrutiny he said:
Miss Faunce, we haven't anything
to talk about, have we?"
81 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. 1t was simply because she
wanted us to 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:
Il haven't the slightest doubt that you
have guessed the truth"
We'll, now she leaves us alone sim
ply to give us chance to say lot of con.
ventional things to each other might
ask IL you had seen a certain play, and
you might reply: Yes. wasn't it love-
ly!' 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 to think of meaningless things
to 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 1t at all" she
|
care to strum on the piano, but begar
reading that book last night, and If yot
don't mind letting me have it I'll finlsl
another chapter or two while Mrs
Ridgeway is out have an idea tina
she will not be likely to hurry back"
81 must congratulate you on your gooC
sense, and at the same time thank yol
for not misunderstanding me. The fac
Is have never met young lady be
fore that | would dare talk to as hav
been talking to you. feel, somehow, th
moment | saw you, that might speaI
frankly to you without being eonsidere,
a boor."
Now, if | desired to conform to tn
foolish conventionalities | might an
swer that it is very good of you to say SC
Let me see, where was II Page 67,
think"
, She yawned, without attempting +
, conceal it, and, settling back in her bis
, comfortable chair, began to read.
t Clifford stared at her for moment
/, wondering whether it was the way tn
light happened to strike her hair tina
made it look so rich and soft or whethe
1t was glorious in fact. He crossed th
room and looked at her again. Her kai
, was as beautiful as ever, and he got
new view of her profile that rathe
2 startled him. He had noticed when the
were introduced that she was gooC
looking girl, but not until he got tbs
view of her profile had he realized thu
she was superb.
She crossed her knees and gave ht
. skirts a feminine jerk so that she coul
be sure her ankles were not on exhib
ton and continued to read
! "You seem to find your story very Il
teresting," he said, after he had take
: several turns around the room and trie
Y to find something aside from the gi
r that was worth looking at
e She gave nod of assent.
= "Of course" he went on, discoverir
now that she was beautiful no matt
= what his angle of vision happened
}. be, ~ didn't mean that we were not
y take the trouble to speak to each 9th
If when we had anything to talk about. F"
# "Iknow, she answered, without loo
ing up.
He went over to the piano and r;
: his fingers up and down the keyboar
. after which he stood for moment
one of the windows from which the
was a fine view of the wide stretch
lawn that sloped down toward the hig
way.
3 Have you noticed this lilac bush Mi
T. Faunce?" he asked.
"a YES"
le did you ever see anything mo
q, beautiful"
IS Il don't remember just now"
n, "What is there that is finer than
r lacs, anyhow? Pshaw! offended "
/. after all. by what said awhile ago"
No II you had done SO would
rs knowledge it. You see freedom FRI
,y conventionalities makes it unnecessf
ID for me to do any polite lying"
to Then why do you refuse to talk
to me?"
s. Il haven't anything to talk about y
ia "Well, | have. | didn't know unit
little while ago that had, but hs