The Forrest City times., 1906-01-05

me lot o' money in her letter. .o that m not likely to starve till next ouar- UT aay, when my own money is due"
 II a mercy you're of age. Mary" he T. marked
 On, dear. I'm nearly 24. It's a lonx tune since | used to make your life ii'iSefanie at Beachtown. Perry. But m really glad to be free. Aunt Eliza mas been trying-ths poor dear couldn't help it. I suppose-for the last lew years; and Beachtown is dull i'oie. I'll just take on my hat and Jacket, il you don't mind. It's so good ol you to let me stay here. I'm sorry arrived when you were having party. You must go back to your friends. and I'm sure your housekeep- CT Will look after me"
 I'll come back to see you presently" said Perry.
 No; please don't. I'm going to bed immediately-Im pretty tired-and I'll want to talk quite enough to you in the morning. Good night Pcrrv."
 Good night, Mary" he responded Siowly. Somehow he was not eager 70 return 10 the dining-room. and when ne did so, the Easy Goers felt one and all, that something had happened No one suggested a song or called for A speech. as was usual at the monthly gathering. and at the ahnormallv early hoar oi half-past II the dining room was empty save for the host. who sat i ny the dead fire and ehewed q cold stale cigar
 III
 For three weeks Miss Stafford who dld not greatly worry her pretty head about eonventionalitieS remained Mir Perry Parkin's guest. and enjoyed her sell Immensely. After years of exist enee in little seaside town the girl could appreciate the sights and enter- tainments which her host exerted him. sell to show and give her-sishts and entertainments which We're almost as new To him as to her. But at the end of three weeks tbe lever of happiness left him. He pro- posed and was gently. but firmly. re- Jeeted. Mary leaving Mrs Phigg in a state of almost motherlv misery. de parted sadly from the house and went to board with family i'll another sub uFD. But even in his deiection Perry realized that lie had missed three or dinary meetings of the Easy Going society. and that the December supper Was due ln few days So he pulled himself together and wrote apologies and invitations To all the members on receipt of which all the members WaAed exceedingly glad. save Mr. Mar jIH2ale. who became internally" so. for they had been sore afraid for their kindly president
 The Easy Geers arrived at the ap- pointed hour, and supper was served; but in vain did the guests try to at tam to their customary jovialty. and in vain did the host attempt to add humer to his kindness Something was wrong. though none but the host knew exactly what Il Vas.
 It was nearly ten o'clock when Mrs. Phisg tapped al the door and respect fully summoned her employer 10 speak with her
 Excuse me. gentlemen, he said as he rose. We seem to be fated to 8 disturbed" he added with a wan smile
 We'll whats the matter, Mrs Phsg2" he inquired. as he joined his housekeeper in the hall.
 Shes in the parlor gasped the good creature.
 "What?"
 The young lady Miss Stafford she's in the parlor Oh oh, oh,s
 Perry. with q complexion like chalk. entered The parlor.
 II m iI trouble, and I've come to you again, said Mary. speaking hurriedly and with forced calnness.
 Tell me" said he.
 T got on fairly well with the people went 10 board with till tonight, when il came out that had been living here for three weeks. They thought that that wasn't proper. and, that I wasn't respectable and they suggested that 1 should go elsewhere And where was to go to?'
 Here" said Perry, checking his fury
 Then the girls composnre broke. and she flung herself on tine sofa, sobbing as if she would never cease. Ii never thought Christian people could be so horrible Oh Perry. what did do to deserve their contempt"
 Don't cry-dear. I'm afraid I was to blame l shouldn't have insisted on your staying here. shouldn't"
 But wanted to stay 1 never was so happy in my life as those three weeks. and I'll never be so happy again"
 Hush, I'll get Mrs. Phigg to go with you to a nice hotel and stay with you till you can make better arrange ments." He bent over her and stroked her hair back from her cheek.
 Her sobs ceased. and she lay silent while the clock on the mantelpiece ticked a hundred times and the voices in the dining-room rose and fell