The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-10-04

conscious that | was shocking hand at
dissimulation. But Bright seemed to
grasp the fact that wanted him anyway
from the fat for time, and he went. |
felt certain he perceived that there was
something extremely odd in my manner;
he reflected it by his own. But, of course,
he went, and l jerked my cigarette out of
the window and lightly touched my tie.
However unnecessary it may be, how
ever inevitably ones tie may be perfectly
arranged, and so on, a man. i think, gen
orally touches it to assure himself of the
fact during such pause as that during
which waited TO hear Bright leave the
fat. But | cannot conceive why, for I
don't suppose one woman in a thousand
ever notices man neckwear.
Bright left so audibly that I had no
momentary suspicion he must have wished
me to know he had gone, which seemed
to imply he guessed at what | knew, and
for trice felt as cheap as boy whose
father had caught him smoking his best
cigars. [ always felt, somehow, that |
was accountable to Bright for my behavior
he was such paternal sort Of fellow, and
had most extraordinary and subtle way
of compelling condolences.
However, put him out of my thoughts
the moment the door hanged, and ap-
preached the parlor door.
"Madam," | said, without entering,
but watching her through the crack of the
door, 'would it embarrass you less for me
to make my presence known to you, or fol
you to make your presence known to me?
"You can come in," she said, in a
voice that was perfectly in accordance with
the delightful perfume Of her glove
even sweeter, and just as elusive.
"Thank you,' | said. And as en-
tered she rose from the chair in the win
dow and bowed slightly in acknowledgment
Of my how.
She was rather tall and somewhat slim,
but neither too much nor too little She
wore hat, skirt and bodice of gray, all to
match, the bodice being decorated with
what you may call ems, rather like bits of
chain armor, and immensely effective,
while her skirt had plaits of pastrons or
something; | was not looking much at her
dress
To describe her further would be to in
suit my readers imagination and overtax
my own.
II owe you thousand apologies, she
said, and it seemed to me she had detected
in my appearance something which rather
pleased her.
''On the contrary" I exclaimed, 81
must apologize for having timed my arrival
home so inconveniently.
81 don't know what you can think Of
me!' she said pathetically.
81 am intensely relieved to hear that.
You look tired; won't you sit down.
"Oh, no-no, thank you; I'm not a
bit tired. Let me thank you for sending
your man away. [ don't know what |
should have done if he had caught me
here with you-"
"With me-
'It is horribly embarrassing, of course,
butt feel l can rely on you to accept my
explanation and to forget the unfortunate
episode.
"rm afraid not," I replied gravely.
81 wish you would sit down. Won't you?
I've been travelling all day, and I'm very
tired
sIt would be double ofense if my
unjustifable presence here kept you stand
ing, she responded delightfully."-, accepting
the chair.
II feel intuitively that your presence is
more than justified" I said; II felt that
the moment I became aware that you were
here. do not ask for any explanation,
but I hope you will volunteer one, since it
must detain you here"
"You are not sitting down now, she
said, harder look in her eyes.
"You haven't said might, and [ feel
less tired now that you are seated.
Nevertheless, l took chair quickly, re-
alizing that by standing I might induce her
to be too brief
81 am living in the fiat above this, .
she began.
"Indeedr' l exclaimed. 81 was not
aware
A touch of extra color became percep
tible in her cheeks. [ felt | had allowed
my pleasure at the announcement to be
too manifest.
"Where ignorance is bliss" she said
quickly, rather roguish expression in her
eyes, which she directed over my shoulder.
'Tis folly to be wise, certainly.
But you should complete the quotation,
which is, think, Drink keep, or not at
all-'''
'Oh," she murmured: "yes.''
81 prefer to drink deeply of the knowl-
edge that
"Please let me finishl' she interposed.
81 was just going out, and was leaning
out of the window when dropped my