The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-12-24
THE FIRST

v
Not that young men were a novelty
around Louise, but this was different.
The boys had always been In and
out with tennis rackets and golf clubs
and had called her Lou" and helped
themselves to freshly baked cookies
out of the family cooky jar In the
pantry and all concerned had enjoyed
themselves laughingly and hugely. But
this youth was attired In evening
clothes, which did not appear to both
er him in the least. He had handed his
card to the maid and had waited in
state In the reception room while the
startled Louise, through the open dou-
BILE doors of the library, received the
bit Of pasteboard,
"Cecil's cousin from Boston--met
him at her dance" she whispered to
her mother.
In another minute she was saying.
"How do you do, Mr.. Clammington?"
In rather shaky voice.
She was upset because he evidently
expected her to shake hands with him.
Not that Louise was unaccustomed to
social usages, but the boys" never
shook hands when she met them. A
sensation Of strangeness enveloped her
as she sat down across the room from
him and tried to act natural. Her loss
for words was amazingly new and I'M
usual, because the joyous noise that
her daughters boy and girl friends
could make when they convened at
Louise's house usually made her moth
er flee upstairs in search of peace.
Tonight, however, after she had
been presented to the correct young
man, Louise's mother did not flee
farther than the library, for 1t did not
appear she would be distracted from
her book by the volume of the CONVEX
sation. In fact, the quiet was painful.
Mr.. Clammington's youth possibly was
the excuse for his paucity of Ideas, but
lack of years never before had kept
Louise quiet.
II was afraid" said Mr.. Claiming
ton, that this might be pretty soon
to call after the dance, but"
ooh, no, not at ALL" said Louise.
Il did want to CALL" persisted Mr..
Clammington. Il was so glad you told
me | might"
Il am glad" said Louise politely. II
trifie vaguely. Wasn't it lovely
dancer"
Just lovelyn agreed Mr.. Claiming
ton. Il don't know when I've gone to
a dance that was--er--lovelier!
Cecil always does give such love-
ly parties said the young woman,
sitting painfully stiff in the mahogany
chair.
Does she?" inquired Cecil's cousin.
"Oh, she certainly does.' said Lou
Use. Il think she is the sweetest girl!
"Oh. don't know" said Mr.. Clam
mington with daring. do you like to
dancer"
Il love tot" asserted Louise.
you are beautiful dancer" said
Mr.. ClammingtoL
"Oh, mercy. not" protested Louise.
Mr.. Clammington nodded with con-
viction. yes you are" he said, firm
ly. Il guess can tell whether girl
is a good dancer or not! And YOU
why, you are just fine!"
ooh, my. mol" repeated Louise.
THAT Is Just flattery, because you are
such an elegant dancer yourself!"
"You really don't think so?" urged
Mr.. Clammington.
Eyes, do said Louise. "All the
girls say sol"
"Do they?" asked Mr.. Clammington.
THAT is nice--but I'm glad you think
SO. Do you ever go to BostonT'
1--WE never been there" confessed
his hostess.
"Oh, you must come to Boston,"
said Mr.. Clammington. II should just
love to have you come to Boston.
You'd like IL. We have fine dances
there. Don't you think you'll come to
Boston this Year,"
81 can't really tell" said Louise.
I'm going east to school"
Il hope you'll come to Boston" re-
peated the young man. you remind
me SO much OF girl used to know.
You look just like her. 1t is perfectly
remarkable"
why, / think that is wonderful"
said Louise. Wouldn't you really be
able TO tell US apart?"
'Neverl" asserted Mr.. Clammington.
That's what made me notice
you first That and your fine Waiting.
1t was so good of you 10 let me call"
ooh. not at ALL" said Louise.
"Yes. 1t was" said the young man.
When he had gathered up his hat
and gloves and his stick. with which
he nearly demolished the hall lamp in
his confusion, Mr.. Clammington
bowed himself away.
"You can't imagine how I have en-
joyed calling" he said as he was de-
parting. 1T has been such an inter
esting evening""
Louise's cheeks were pink and her
eyes bright as she came out into the
library and relaxed into a chair
with her usual grace.
Isn't Mr.. Clammington Just fneT"
she asked her mother "He-he Is so
different from the 'boys'!"
HE wore a beautiful dress suit"
said her mother cautiously. Then she
sighed. For she foresaw the end OF
s..