Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-08-21


denis voice was in his ears. Wake
up, boy! Look as IL you were seeing
ghosts, doesn't he. Molly? Miss Nc
Collough. Mr.. Van Holden. Did you
order lunch. old chap
81 did," said Van Holden steadily.
s'It ought to be here in a moment
Mrs. Borden, sit here; then the light
won't be In your eyes"
He changed seats with her deity
pnd faced across the white tablecloth.
accusing gray eyes under wide
brimmed gray hat with pale roses.
There was a hint of color In the face
Say. YAM cried the irrepressible
Borden, you ought to hear Miss Nc
Collough's story of the way she was
done by an antique dealer today
promised to bold desk or something
for her
Don't tell on me-" pleaded Miss Nc
Collough nervously. please, Mr. Ber-
den"
"Oh, the jokes not on you," said
Borden consolingly. And when she
went there she found chap engaged
In buying her piece-a very decent
looking chap. she says
do make him hush. Molly" Miss
McCollough's glass of water answered
a despairing and surreptitious push by
flowing across the tablecloth on to
Berden's knees.
Miss Mccullough gasped
''Oh, that's all right said Borden.
jumping up He beckoned waiter
end presently resumed his seat and his
story
"Chap was awfully good looking" he
ratified on, "well dressed
what wa hls manner, Molly3 Oh, yes,
the perfection OF indifference and the
dearest smile
The quick crimson swept up to the
gray hat brlm, but Borden was merci-
less.
"She insisted on having the thing; SO
did he She spoke of paying $50 for It,
He let out that he was getting 1t for
$50 tell you those dealers are regu-
lar sharks. So she didn't take It, and
listen to this, Van Hoiden-she says
she's willing to lose the furniture for
the sake Of the adventure-says she's
found her affinity"
"For PHYS sake, Bobbie, hushv' cried
his wife. Cant you see you're wor-
rying Nora? Do eat your lunch"
"Did the man get the desk, Miss Nc
ColloughY inquired Van Holden, with
courteous interest.
Probably so. left him there" she
answered vindictively. Mr.. Borden, Is
the old Hotel Royal open to visitors?'
"Why don't you go back and seer"
asked the man across the table insist
emily.
"The hotel?' she inquired, surprised
mo; the antique store
Because am not sufficiently inter
ested" Van Holden smiled confidently
and applied himself to the salad.
With the arrival Of the finger bowls
the conversation by easy stages, in
which Berden's new motor, the last re-
gatta and projected house party
across the lake were discussed, came
back to Miss McCollough's adventure.
deskg' said Van Holden. IF be didn't
iii wager he WILL
Mrs. Borden arose. shaking out her
skirts. IF he saw his affinity as she
saw her. she laughed, 'he may have
bought it for her sake
II was thinking of that" said Van
Holden.
"And some day." said Mrs. Borden
teasingly, "she may sit on 1t before
his library fire-in a soft gray gown
the davenport was to be upholstered
! In dull green, you know"
''Don't be silly. Molly We shall be
late if you talk SO long," Miss Nc
Collough insisted feverishly.
"Well, you never can tell" said Ber-
den. Anything might happen, eh.
! van?
II should think that was quite posi-
ble," said Van Holden
"Of course said Borden. Come up
and see us, old chap"
/ Were going to motor out to west
end for dinner tomorrow night Don't
] you want to Gomez" echoed his wife.
81 do said Van Holden earnestly.
But Miss Mccullough hasn't asked
me yet"
"WIll you Gomez asked Miss Nc
Collough. with level defiance and
something else in her gray eyes.
That day Mr.. Montague sold the
davenport.
1