The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-06-07

tain report II Is known that he made
a partial payment OF 40 cents az a sec
ondhand book store for a number OF
volumes. "Grindstah on Torts" and
some Others. which he bad negotiated
on the installmeut system. II Is also
believed that he won - cents playing
seven-up In the little room behind
Louie Farbach's bar. but these things
are OF little import compared 20 the
established fact that at II o'clock he
was one Of the ball guests at the Pike
mansion. He took no active part In
the festivities. nor was he one OF the
dancers. His was. on the contrary. the
role of a quiet observer. He lay
stretched at full length upon the door
OF the incIosed porch-one of the strips
OF canvas was later found to have been
lOosened- wedged between the outer
railing and a row Of palms In green
tubs.
1t was not 10 play eavesdropper that
the unlimited Joe had come He was
not there TO listen, and II is possible
that had the curtains OF other windows
afforded him the chance to behold the
dance he might not have risked the
dangers OF his present position. He
had not the slightest interest In the
whispered coquetrles that he heard.
He watched only to catch now and
then over the shoulders Of the dancers
a ftful glimpse of a pretty head that
fitted across the window-tbe amber
hair OF Mamie Pike. He shivered In
the drafts, and the floor of the porch
was cement painful to elbow and
knee, the space where he lay cramped
and narrow, but the golden bubbles Of
her hair, the simmer of her dainty
pink dress and the fluffy wave Of her
lace scarf as she crossed and recrossed
In a waltz left him apparently in no
discomfort He watched with parted
lips, his pale cheeks reddening when
ever those fair glimpses were his. At
last she came out to the yeranda with
Eugene and sat upon little divan, so
close to Joe that, daring wildly in the
shadow, he reached out a trembling
hand and let his fingers rest upon the
end of her scarf, which had fallen
from her shoulders and touched the
floor. She sat with her back to him,
as did Eugene
You have changed, / think, since
last summer" he heard her say ref1ec-
lively.
For the worse, ma cherie?" Joe's
expression might have been worth see
ing when Eugene said ina cherie," for
it was known in the Louden household
that Mr.. Bantry had failed to pass his
examination in the French language.
mo-" she answered. But you have
seen so much and accomplished so
much since then. You have become so
polished and so"- She paused and
then continued: But perhaps I'd bet
ter not say it. You might be offended"
mo. want you to say it," he re-
turned confidently and his confidence
was fully justified, for she said:
well, then. / mean that you have
become so thoroughly man of the
world Now I've said it! You are Of
Tended, aren't your
mot at all; not at ALL" replied Mr.. 8
Daily, prev ny LidctcIlul Cl-
fort his pleasure from showing in his
face,
Then Pm-glad." she whispered, and
Joe saw his stepbrother touch her
hand, but she rose quickly. There's
the music" she cried happily. ITS a
waltz. and it's yours
Joe heard her little high heels tap
ping glyly toward the window. follow
ed by the heavier tread of Eugene, but
be did not watch them go.
He lay on his back, with the hand
that had touched Nantes scarf press
ed across his closed eyes.
The music of the waltz was of the
Did fashioned swingingly sorrowful
sort and it would be hard to say how
ong 1t was after that before he could
near the air played without recurrence
If the bitterness of that moment. The
ny thmical pathos of the violns was
n such accord with a faint sound of
weeping which he heard near him
presently that for little while he be-
ieved this sound to be part of the mu
tic and part Of himself Then it be-
anne more distinct, and he raised him
elf on one elbow to look about
Very close to him. sitting upon the
Ivan in the shadow, was a girl wear
ng dress of beautiful silk. She was
rying softly. her face in her hands.