Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-07-20

a knife,
land an awfully stunning fellow,
regular Gibson type, you know. We
tried to induce him to Join us tonight;
but, you see, he lives in Louisville"
Alberta turned her head ever 80
slightly. The people back of her who
had been annoyed at Mr.. Smart's In
considerateness when he first came In
were talking,
"And he leaves for the south tomor-
row. Fancy arriving in fascinating
old New York one day and leaving 1t
the next! Ma says she'll warrant he
has a sweetheart in Louisville, for he's
dead set o4 going there Immediately.
This morning on deck Just before we
sailed into the harbor''-- But ina"
who was rom Chicago and full of
western enterprise, finished the SEN
tence for heiSelf.
Il came "a him unexpectedly, and
what d,yes ! Sn& he sRuaeduinB7 Lean-.
ing ofer the rail and looking at pic
ture In his watch. 'Ah-ha, Mr.. Har-
veyr cried. You're caught at last!
VIII you let me see her picturer In
a few moments I'll show you the
statue OF Liberty instead said no,
closing his watch softly and unstrap.
ping his field glasses. And, would you
believe 1t, the winning sweetness Of his
smile took all the sting out of his re-
fusal."
"Why don't you strike for him,
Maude, and cut the Louisville girl
outT came laughing poser. "or
wasn't he looking for a rich wife2"
Don't know. I'm sure" was the re-
Spouse. But anyhow he's not rich.
Got the information from bis chum
coming over-the one who's going to
take US to the Union League reception
tomorrow. He owns some sort Of a
plantation In Kentucky, however, and
people there call him lie grand seigneur
cause he's considered 80 exclusive. 1t
appears Mr.. Harvey in his aristocratic
poverty had a horror of the neuveaux
riches" She shifted daintily and gig
gled.
The lights went down, the orchestra
stopped playing. and the curtain went
up on the third act 1881
Presently, having had one glass of
whisky and soda too much, Smart
came back. He looked at Alberta
closely with a look before which she
suddenly shrank. She'd seen 1t focused
ere this on many things-lAs automo-
bile. his diamonds, his horses - but
never wholly ON herself. That glance
of possession shot through her nerves
with a slckening humiliation.
you'll loosen the stone In your ring
II you keep turning 1t round like that"
said Smart In a blurred whisper. AN
that sort Of diamond amt stumbled
against every day, let me tell you"
At the close Of the third act, al
though there was still the fourth to be
played, Alberta turned to her compan-
ion.
"We'll go now" she said simply.
But he helped her on with her wrap
/ he wondered at the strange, soft illu-
mlnation of her face. II was an illu-
mination he had never seen before. an
illumination In which he knew instlnc--
lively he had no part.
When Smart. having got his hat and
cuht, ueE tuo AODDy hhu WAb
about to call for cab. one Of the girls
hands went out to his ready arm, but
the other deity handed him his ring.
'.Pve decided you'd better keep It,"
she said calmly. while, his fingers clos
ing tightly about the Jewel, Smart
gazed with amazement at her strange
smile. I'm explain to you az we walk
along. No; not cab. I prefer to
walk. 1t isn't far to auntie's" She
would not suffer his proximity, how
ever brief, Ia carriage.
Have you gone madT he demand
cd, putting the bauble securely In his
wallet. "Of all idiotic nonsensel And,
besides, you're not dressed for walk
ing"
"Oh, what does little thing like
that matter? cried she, with almost
child's fresh Joy In her voice. Moth
ing matters now but the big things"
And, gathering up her skirts. she add
ed, half to herself, with queer little
thrill: "Tm going home tomorrow! I'm
going home to Louisville tomorrow"