The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1907-06-27
Nv BOOTH HARRINGTON,

preston composing ltselr TO passly1ry,
for the step was very much lighter
than Joe's.
A lady beautifully dressed in white
dimity appeared in the doorway. She
hesitated at the threshold, not, appar-
emily, because of any timidity Cher ex-
preston being too thoughtfully assur-
ed for that, but almost Immediately
she came in and seated herself near
the desk, acknowledging the others
presence by a slight inclination of the
head.
This grave courtesy caused strong,
deep flush to spread itself under the
rouge which unevenly covered the wo-
mans cheeks as she bowed elaborate
ly in return. Then furtively, during a
Drotracted silence, she took stock OF
the new conner from the tip of her
white suede shoes to the filmy lace and
pink roses upon her wide white hat,
and the sidelong gaze fingered marvel
Ngly upon the quiet. delicate hands,
slender and finely expressive, in their
white gloves. !
Her own hands, unlike the lady's, be-
gan to fdget confusedly!: "and, the 81
lence continuing, she eoughed several
times to effect the preface required by
her sense Of fitness before she, felt it
proper to observe, with polite litter:
Mr.. Louden seems to be "a good
while comm (:
"Have you been waiting very long"
asked the lady. "
Ever since 6 o'clock!'
Yes" said the other, that Is very
long" ae..-
Yes, ma am, it cert'nly u.s." The ice
thus broken, she felt free to use her
eyes more directly and. after a long,
frank stare, exclaimed:
"Why, you must be Hiss Ariel Ia
Dor, amt you?" !
"Yes"-Ariel touched one Of the roses
upon Joe's desk with her finger tips
II am Miss Tabor"
"Well, excuse me fer asking; I'm
sure it amt any business Of mine, y
said the other, remembering the man,
ners due one lady from another. "But
thought it must be. l expect" she
added, with loud, inconsequent laugh
ter, there's not many In Canaan amt
heard you've come back" She paused
laughed again. nervously, and again
less loudly, to take off the edge of heI
abruptness. gradually tittering herself
down to a pause, to fill which she put
forth. Right nice weather we ben
havin'." " ;.,;t Q
EYES," said Ariel 1884, ss'>---f
Tt was rainy first Of last week
though. l don't mind rain SO MITCH
this with more laughter-"I stay In
the house when it rains. Some people
don't know enough to, they say
You've heard that saying, amt you
Miss Tabor?' sss~s,nsrsae N~s
EYES," ,hS<A4saaL ~
"Well, tell YOU" she exclaimed
noisjly, there's plenty ladies and gen
'lemen In this town that's like that"
Her laughter did not cease. 1t be-
came louder and shriller 1t had been
until now d mere fabrication Of the
conversation, helping to make her
easier in Miss Tabor's presence, but as
it increased in, shrillness she seemed
to be losing control Of herself, as il
her laughter were getting away with
her. She was not far ffSfn hysteria
when she stopped with gasp, and
she sat up straight in her chair; white
and rigid.
"Therer' she said listening intently.
'.Ain't that him?' Steps sounded upon
the pavement below, paused for a Sec
ond at the foot Of the stairs; there was
a snap Of a mateH, then the steps
sounded again, retrsatfng. She sank
back In her chair Imply. 1T was only
some one stoppiR to light his cigar in
the entry. It wasn't Jce Louden's
step anyway"
"You know hfst stepY Arfeps eyes
We're bent upon tue woman Wonder
ihgay.
''I1d' know it tonight was the a.
swefs. delivered. with sharp and pain.
full gfggfe. ~ got plenty reason to-"
Ariefi did not respond She leaned a
little closer to- the roses apsn the desk,
letting their touch her face, and breath
ing deeply Of their fragrance to neu-
tralize a perfume which, pervaded the
room, an odor as heavy and cheap
sweet as the face OF the wofaHa who
had saturated her handkerchief with
1t, scent which went with hen' per-
fectly and made her unhappily def
mite; suited to her clumsily dyed hatr,
to her soiled white Shoes. to- the, hOt
red hat smothered in plumage,. to- the
restless stub fingered hands,. to the fat.
plated rings. of which she wore al
great quantity. though, surprisingly
enough, the large diamonds in her ears
were pure and OF a very clear water
It was she who broke the silence
once more. Well" she drawled,.
coughing genteelly at the same time.
better late than never, as the saying
Is. wonder who it is gifts up all them
eomical sayings?" Apparently she had.
40 genuine desire for light upon this
mystery as she continued Immediately:
Il have a gentleman friend that's al ]
ways gittin' 'em off, WELL he says,
the best of friends must part and
Thou strikest me to the heart ALI
kinds of cracks like that. He's real
comical. And yet" she went on in an
altered voice. Il don't like him much.
I'd be glad IL I'd never seen him."
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