The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1907-04-25

upOu the SCcue anu tucu ucI hohiSoh
had somewhat broadened.
However, John had never actually
proposed to her though he had never
attempted to hide his real feelings to-
ward her. He had been abroad for
some months.
She arose to greet him with out
stretched hands and shining eyes Of
welcome, and her flushing face and the
soft grey gown she wore made PIC
ture he never forgot.
"And, John, want you to meet Mr..
-Mr.-Row-Row-Row--" and de-
spite her most desperate efforts the
name trailed off into gurgle in her
throat. The two men bowed stiffiy
and big John looked upon Man-shorn
of-his-name with peculiar expression
in his eyes which the embarrassed and
indignant Kitty translated into his
hateful jealousy" To add further to
her discontinue she thought she
heard a smoker from behind the heavy
portieres leading into the library
where Fritz was supposed to be cram
ming for an "exam." on the morrow.
She made a gallant effort to thaw
out the conversational atmosphere, but
John maintained frozen attitude to-
ward her suffering guest, combining
his conversation wholly to herself. At
last, ,&hilled to the marrow, the Rus.
sian azbse to depart, making his bow
with less ease and grace than usual.
When they were alone Kitty turned
upon John with blazing eyes.
John Finley, how could you" she
burst out at last. How could you be
so utterly nasty to him when he IS so
sensitive and shy before strangers"
But John stood his ground sturdily
for once under her wrath.
Shy'!" he exclaimed, Indignantly.
Il beg your pardon, Kitty, but should
think he might feel a little Shy
Where did you meet him."
Kitty explained John took an indig-
nant turn up and down the room and
then came back and stood in front OF
her.
1T makes me wild to think he has
presumed to call upon YOU" he broke
out at last. Il cannot understand such
rank carelessness on the part of the
Van Alstines, but it's the old folly OF
ship-board acquaintances carried be.
yond the limits of common sense. Kit.
ty, forgive me for hurting you, dear,
but that fellow was my tailor in Lon
don! What is he up to now, I'd like
to know, worming himself into"
Your 'tailor'-'tailor'!" Kitty heard
herself saying in a voice that came
from somewhere down in her boots
and as she dropped down into her
chair she heard smothered howl
from behind the portieres that made
her bury her burning cheeks against
the upholstered chairback. "Oh, John |!
Oh, john" she moaned, helplessly.
How perfectly awful this is and papa
so generously trusted to my judgment,
too" and in sheer dismay she began
to sob.
1t is easy to believe that John
couldn't very well resist that, so he
bent down and drew the sobbing girl
up until she leaned in his arms with
her shamed face hidden against his
breast.
What is so awful sweetheart he
whispered, holding her close with a
passionate, yearning tenderness. do
you mean the presumption of that
scamp? Well, don't worry q moment
about that, then, for he recognized me
instantly and will not appear again
upon the scene. So lie there against
my heart and forget him and-think
Of me. Little girl-dear, little grill
want to tell you how have longed
for this moment. How many times /
have hungered to hold you In my
arms. Dearest" lifting the flushed face
up toward his own that he might see
the tear-stained eyes, Took at mo!
Have you missed me-just little? In
all these months of my absence, have
you, for one moment, wanted me back
Darling, do you"
But just here his interesting investi.
cations were interrupted by an
"a-h-e-m!" in an unmistakable voice
from the next room and the draperies
were parted sufficiently to permit the
entrance Of thick, narrow roll of
white paper which was shot the length
of the long drawing-room and dropped
at their feet, the other end remaining
in the hand Of the intruder.
Il beg your pardon, Jack" said the
voice, but in his hurried exit Kits
Russian left part Of his name behind
him and I've written it on this, think
ing you might care to return 1t to him
sometime when he was pressing your
coat"