The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1907-04-12
CHAPTER XIV.
I Make an Enoaoement.

ucubb. al lhikluB dnludleuly. AS
walked toward them l could not Jus
tify my stupidity in mistaking
school girl Of Is or 16 for a grown
woman; but 1t was the tam-o -shanter,
the short skirt, the youthful joy in
the outdoor world that had disguised
her as effectuaily as Rosallnd to the
eyes Of Orlando. She was probably
teacher-quite likely the teacher OF
music, | argued, who had amused her
self at my expense.
II had seemed the easiest thing in
the world to approach her with an
apology or farewell, but those few
inches added TO her skirt and that
pretty gray toque substituted for the
tam-o-shanter set up barrier that
did not yield at all as | drew nearer.
At the last moment. as ! crossed the
track and stepped upon the other plat
form. 1t occurred to me that while
might have some claim upon the at
tention Of Olivia Gladys Armstrong. a
hayward school girl of athletic tastes,
had none whatever upon a person
whom II was proper to address as
Miss Armstrong-who was, felt sure,
quite capable of snubbing me If snub-
bling fell in with her mood.
She glanced toward me and bowed
instantly, and her young compa uions
withdrew to conservative distance
will say this for the students at St
Agatha's. Annandale: Their manners
are beyond criticism, and an affable
discretion is one of their most Sdmira-
BILE traits.
Il didn't know they ever grew up
80 fast-in day aud night"
was glad / remembered the num-
Der Of beads in her chain; the item
seemed at once to become important
Its the air. suppose. It's praised
by excellent critics. she laughed.
But you are going to an ampler
ether. diviner air You have at
tained the beatifc state and at once
take fight II they confer perfection
like an academic degree at St Ag-
atha's, then"
! had never felt SO stupidity helpless
in my life. There were a thousand
things wished to say to her; there
were countless questions l wished to
ask: but her calmness and polse were
dlsconcerting. Her eyes met mine
easily; their azure depths puzzled me.
She was almost. but not quite, some
one had seen before, and It was not
my woodland Olivia Her eyes, the
sole curve Of her cheek. the light in
her hair-but the memory Of another
time. another place. another girl, lured
only to bafie me.
She laughed little murmufine
laugh.
I'm never tell II you won't" she
said.
But don't see how that helps me
with you'll"
ct certainly does not! That is 1
much more serious matter. Mr.. Glen
arm"
And the worst Of 1t is that
haven't single thing to say for my
self It wasn't the not knowing tina
was so utterly dull"
Certainly mott II was talking tina
ridiculous twaddle. II was trying u
nirt with a silly school girl. VIVA
win do for is is somewhat vacuou
for"
She paused abruptly. colored an,
laughed.
Il am All"
"And am Just the usual age" sh
said.
ages don't count. but time is in
p0rtant There are many things
wish you would tell me-you who hol
the key OF the gate of mystery"
Then you'll have to pick the lock-
She laughed lightly. The sombc
Sisters patrolling he platform wit
their charges needed us little.
Il had no Idea you knew Arthu
Pickering-when you were just 0livi
in the tam-o -shanter."
Maybe you think he wouldn't hav
cared for my acquaintance-as olivi
in the tam-o.shanter. Men are yer
queerl"
But Arthur Pickering is an oil
friend Of mine"
$50 he told me-"
I'VE were neighbcrs In our youth.
II believe have heard him mentio
IT,"
and we did our prep school t.
gether. and then parted"
"You tell exactly the same story. S
II must be true. He went to cole
and you went to Tech"
& aAnd you knew him-?" begar
my curiosity thoroughly aroused.
mot at college any more than
knew you at Tech
"The trains coming" | said carr
estly, "and wish you would tell me
when shall see you againl"
before we part for ever" Their
was a mischievous hint Of the olivi
IN short skirts IN her tone.
please don't suggest III Our time
have been strange and few. Their
was that FIRST night when you Gallo
to me from the lake"
How impertinentl How dare 20
remember thaty"
"And thera was the snow storm an
at the chanel porch last nlsht Nsit'