The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-01-12

! No" he somewhat absently queried.
Its odd, isn't it," Miss Strong went
on. He seems to have the idea that
you are-well-''
A good for-nothing
Miss Strong agreed, with depreciation.
Its too bad. isn't it, How does he
get such an impression of you" There
was a shade more OF curiousness than of
sympathy in her tone
Why didn't You say good word
for me-"
Il did; I told him what splendid
half back you were"
| And that was the best YOU could
| do for me-" he laughed, 4 little bit
terly
ITS the biggest 'hing you ever did"
Miss Strong reminded him, with inno-
cent sincerity.
II remember" reminiscently. how
wild | was about your playing that day.
| You were such a hero! When you
came around after the game and spoke
to me l was eaten up with satisfied
pride because | knew you and SO many
Of the girls were envious' Don't you
remember how glorious it was2"
1T was a brief glory he gloornily
assured her It's all exhausted-not .
plimmer of il left"
why don't you do something to
make it come to you again. she asked,
severely. Don't you feel. don't you
know how stupid it is TO be nothing
to do nothing but lead cotllions and
play bridges Why don't you keep on
making people proud of you2'
Stafford looked up from the FIRE.
'Oh it's easy" he Knocked her rail
lery, TO live at high pressure. When
| was on the winning side in a foot
ball game, | was of moments consid
Grafton; but life isn't all football.
haven't had to work for my living
more's the pity-so, as you put it, I've
led cotillions and played bridge And
| liked it, he confessed, politely, "as it
has given me the opportunity of seeing
you"
IF you call that carrying the war
into the enemy's quarters"
Il never call names I'm a vagrant-
but you're butterfly"
"Soulless2 Ahp' she unused.
81 think" he suggested, you are beg
ging the question"
1--WE look at things from two points
of view,' she frostily told him.
"Yes. I've tried to convince you it
ought to be one. but it's always two"
She tapped the toe of her slipper on
the tiled hearth
why don't you do something's she
demanded. How can you be content
to go through life just"
Myself he laughed. good humor-
edly, Don't you think it was my mis-
fortune more than my fault that my
IN 1a+t So
IF you hadn't a cent perhaps you'd
be worth something" she paradoxically
told him
"Oh, yes, you'd pity me, then" he
coldly assented
ford put a book he had been holding
on the table between them
"The book you lent me- he explained.
Il didn't like it. thanks"
What poor tastew she impolitcly
commented
Stafford was not much of ! reader,
then borrowed a book from her to give
and the volume OF Meredith she had
last somewhat cruelty selected had been
deep waters to his unaccustomed feet
i've problems was one be could deduct
with ease from his share of worldly hap
piness.
a." Miss Stron~ continued, taking up
Richard Feverel," like it exceedingly
Leveret says, he holds candle to the
mirror for you to see yourself"
"She'd better leave that to Braith-
laN QnxA ~,
than Meredith.
"Mr. Braithwaithe: All, he's charm
ingr'
rs he what woman calls charm
ing!" Stafford desired to know. Hes
great friend Of mine, but-charn-
ing"
ayes, charningl He's so pleasant and
so intelligent He adores Meredith
Mistaken man. Stafford interpo-
lated
"And then he's such success in his
profession" Miss Strong proceeded
The bishop says he's distir 1ished as
a lawyer"
ooh, he's good fellow and he has
plenty Of talent Stafford agreed. Il
think he and Miss Leveret will be very
happy"
\ es: he gives the impression OF De
ing thoroughly in earnest about making
his way in life-making the best of it.
Miss Strong said. making an obvious
peg of Braithwaite
Stafford agreed again
why can't you do that?' she sug-
gested. abandoning the peg.
Make the best or life2 I'm trying
to- he said
"Oh" she 'tonelessly murmured.
u assure YOU am he seriously as
serted, and rising. put ont his hand.
"Since the bishop doesn't approve of
me, and you didn't take up the cudgels
for me. suppose | mustn't come often
any more'" he questioned
She smiled at the somberness' of his
tone
"Well-I sunnose not-r1ntil he does