The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-01-03

&--~k to the dinner table after
6 NM 9 answering the telephone
) she looked so sober, es-
\ soE pecially in contrast with
her previous high spirits, that the
Family resolved itself into an interro-
gatioo point at n
Harry can't come for me-" she said,
slowly.
els that all? Thought there must
have been a death at the very least
\ "No, that's not all. He very kindly
Yprovides me with an escort. and that
escort none other than Mr.. Randolph
Sayson."
"Well, what's the matter with Mr..
Aayson? I thought he was all right
What's just what's the matter-he's
evariably and provokingly ali right.
perfect paragon of propriety,
andNI shall be sure to do something
ito shock him. I've half 4 mind not
IL 60"
ooh. Katharine" inteTpoSed> her
mother, you must. Harry is depend
ing on your SOLOS,
i Eyes, that's another thing. Some
one has failed him at the last minute
and he wants me to sing another. l
hate these concerts for the benefit Of
something anyway; they're always in
some stuffy hall, and there's never a
decent piano" ,l..
Gan unprejudiced observer would al
most be tempted to think you are
cross. Kit" remarked her brother.
SITS enough to make anybody cross.
u don't see how Mr.. Payson can recon-
cile it with his conscience to take M
dn a carriage without a chaperon, but
BARRY says he jumped at the chance.
The idea! OF course it was all right
Ito go with Harry"
"Well, dear" said her mother. sooth-
= GngIy. "you must just do the best you
q I can't imagine why you feel
so about it. Most girls would be de-
lighted with Randolph Payson as an
escort" -,
!. "Most girls are scared blue Of him.
Just the same. It's enough to 'rile'
anybody just to look at him. he's so
absolutely faultless."
Katherine was ready at the appoint
Ell time, and was alone. the other mem
bers of the family, including the maids,
having gone out. She was positively
nervous about meeting Mr. Payson,
and started violently when the bell
proclaimed his arrival. She picked
up her gloves to go. but to her horror
her room door would not open! No,
It was not locked. and the knob turned
but did not unlatch. Meanwhile the
bell rang again. What 1hould she 60:
Df, course she could not make him
hear. and she ratified the knob and
pounded and pulled to no purpose.
She lived in the lower fat of an apart
ment' house, and her room had long
windows opening on q small balcony.
She rushed out there, only to find that
she could not see the front entrance,
but she hailed a boy, passing.
"Boy," she called, "come here if you
lwant@to earn a dime" The boy came
with alacrlty. SIS there. a carriage
I'm front of the house?" she asked.
eyes," said the boy.
Then please so around to the en-
trance and tell the gentleman who is
at the door of this fat that Miss Ear-
rison cannot come to the door just
now, and ask him to please wait a few
minutes. Do you: understand it,"
"fes'm," said the boy. and repeated
the message. Then he started of.
"Oh, come back a minute. Do you
know where the janitor's rooms are?
Then please go and ask him to come
, at once to Flat 1. and fix a door thai
won't open. Now, don't tell the gentle
nan that" she added, as she tossed
him a dime.
A moment or two later, she heard
steps, but instead of the small boy
OF the %janitor, it WIS Mr.. PaySon. Her
hrSt impulse was to hide, but the glare
OF the street light made her conspicu-
pus, so he had already seen her. Lift
lag his hat, he said, Good evening,
Miss Harrison" as calmly as il it was
ais daily custom to greet from the lawn
> young lady on a balcony.
@oh," began Katharine, - told the
boy not to tell you"
"The boy" said Mr.. Paysoa, gravely,
Ngave me a rather confused message
about a door and waiting aud said he
Swas going for the janitor. l insisted
2 knowing where 1 might find the
ing lady who had sent him. and
: wing his directions. I am here"
YES" said Katharine, confused.
"May I ask what the trouble is, and
IL I can do ~anything?"
katharine wanted to tell him he
might ask anything if he would only
Nike off tina expression Of calm dis
ht- royal which made her feel rs if
she -ere a naughty fve-year-old. But
she eAnlailed matters, in an embar-
rassed, t%esitating way, which made
Bier ap2Ga' more charming ever than
tasual.
isn't yout door locked?' he asked.
81 knew you'd ask that. No, it isn't.