The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-02-23


hand and moved toward the nearest
entrance.
"You know him, don't you, Leslief'
she asked her companion.
mo"
'Tm 50 glad, because now I can
claim the credit Of introducing you to
each other. He's such good fellow.
Papa thinks he's one Of the cleverest
men down town. Thank goodness,
haven't prejudiced you against him BY
singing his praises. warn you. mann.
ma and get regularly Jealous Of one
another whenever Mr.. Croydon calls
Don't we, mother?"
The girl looked back mischievously
at her mother and patted her hand.
you're an impossible child, Carroll
But ] suppose you're used to her, Miss
Harlan"
"You never could get used to any
one so original as your daughter, Mrs
Parsons. She is the personihcation Of
the unexpected. It's her charm"
THAT will do for you, Leslie. Here
comes my masculine ideal. Good
evening again. Neil. Miss Harlan, al.
low me to present Mr.. Croydon, a flame
Of my mother"
"A flame that goes out too often,
should say" remarked Mrs. Parsons
as the young man greeted her. "what
have you been doing with yourself
Neil? You look out of sorts. Too
much work down town and too much
play up town. That's what makes I'd
a nation of dyspeptics"
Now, Mrs. Parsons, is It fair to
criticise me before this critical daugh-
ter of yoursy'
Possibly not. but perhaps Yes, I
see-this is your first public appear
ance?"
Exactly. II I'm pale. it's stage
fright. But then I'm part Of the show.
and no ones supposed to look at that" |"
| when do you rider" asked Miss
Harlan.
What is your horse?" broke in Miss
Parsons. What is his name, what is
his number-what does he do-wkat
do you do? Come. sit right down and
tell us all about IT,
81 will II can remember all Of
those questions. Let's see. What II
my horse? Well, he's hunter, and,
of course, splendid jumper. His name
is Thanatos, and my number, curious
ly enough. is 13-"
why 'curiously'?" interrupted Miss
Parsons.
Because 'Thanatos' means DEATH
believe, and 13 is supposed to be un-
lucky"
"Oh, I don't like that" responded
the girl, with a shudder. II
You're not superstitious, are your"
"No-yes--yes, I think am. Aren't
you, Leslie?"
mot about such things. Do you ex-
pect to win. Mr.. Croyden?"
II certainly do. never go into any
thing without expecting to win. It's
half the battle"
"And you never suffer from over
confidence?"
mot in the long run. People who
believe too little in themselves fail fas
oftener than those who overestimate
their ability"
"Or their horse's?"
Croydon looked at his fair questioner
with surprise. But he smiled pleas
antly as he answered:
"Of course in this case the horse
Is entitled 10 most of the credit. But
every one knows an intelligent animal
will interpret its riders mood with sur
prising accuracy. BY Jove, what a
good one!" he exclaimed, pointing
down at the ring where gray horse
had just cleared an "in and out" jump.
"Do you have to do that?" asked
Miss Parsons, as the volley Of applause
died away.
Mr.. Croydon apparently did not hear
the inquiry. for he was gazing at the
crowd. his eyes following one Of the
moving figures. When the girl re-
peated her question he started.
II beg your pardon. Yes. have to
clear the same hurdles. It's not as
hard as it looks. BY the way, Miss
Harlan, I have the pleasure of know
ing your father very we'll. Isn't he
here tonight"
II think he must be. He was to
come at ten o'clock. You weren't
\, ,ching him. were your"
mo. but thought saw friend Of
his-a Mr.. Kennard."
"Oh, know him." the girl laughed.
"Why do you laugh?"
II was thinking of the way we met.
II was such fun"
Tell me about It," interrupted Miss
Parsons. 1--WE know him, too"
"Who? John Kennard. poor Clyde
Delafeld's partner" asked Mrs. Par
sons.
II believe so," answered Croydon.
This Is evidently a confidence" he
continued. glancing at the girls, who
had drawn close together. "Will you
take me under your protection?"
Mr. Croyden's eyes were riveted on
the procession as he spoke. and he
continued to gaze steadily at 1t while
with that peculiar side turn of the
head he Indicated the most flattering
attention to Mrs. Parsons remarks.
Suddenly Miss Parsons turned to him
and tapped him with her fan.
"Are you sure you saw John Ken
nard, Neil?"
II was not, but I am now" he an
swered. "Why?"
| II want you to attract his attention
In some way. Leslie's had such q
funny experience with him at din