The Cairo bulletin., 1907-07-14
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The Imprudence
of Percy Preston.


II was the last Sunday at Princes
and the skating rink was crowded
with eager skaters, who flew alons
the Ice to the enlivening strains OF
the Blue Hungarian band
who's that girl?" asked u man
who was watching this particular
couple with keen interest. Nobody
seems to know much about her"
"Chetwynd Hartop brought her.
think; he's not generally over par
ticular, but she must be somebody,
or Preston wouldn't be seen with her
every Sunday like this" replied his
companion. Hes not to be caught
mapping. BY Jovel she Is handsome,
though. Look. they are coming
roRnd!"
The couple few past Hike flash
OF lightning. and were lost among
the crowd again
It's the last Sunday" she ex-
claimed
yes. 1t has been rippin' meeting
| you like this. never thought we
| should become such pals, you
know" Percy Preston answered,
letting his eyeglass drop from his
eye. Il say. Id like to see more OF
you How is 1t we never meet at the
same houses?"
II don't know the same people as
you do. she replied. and I'm al
ways so much engaged.
II get so beastly bored with them
all. he continued: you seem differ
ept, somehow"
Il suppose you don't associate
with many people outside your own
set?" she asked.
NO one never knows what dread |
full people may claim ones acquaint-
ance, II one isn't particular. Shall we
reversed"
81 think it's better to take people |
for what they are and not who they
are" she exclaimed. and he did
not see the sheer on her face. He
was too b&sy steering them safely
along
That's all very well in theory,
but 1t doesn't work" he answered
Society won't stand that sort Of
thing, A fellow must think of APP
pearances. "
THE opinion of the world Is
matter OF such high importance.
Isn't it?'
He did not detect the sarcasm in
her tone He was not endowed with
too much wilt.
II am not really like that,
though" he FASTENED to assure her.
"Once I like person, I'd stick to
them through thick and thin
The band was playing one Of
strauss's valses. Percy Preston felt
almost romantic.
ssss Where are you going to-nlor-
row." he asked eagerly She hest
tated a moment, then gave a little
laugh.
Shopping" she said.
$50 am L." She looked startled.
with my sister" he added, hur-
riedly II often do" They both
laughed.
where shall it be them" he in
CURED again. as they stopped skat-
Ing.
q really must go now" she cried.
well. If you insist. Gayford's at +,
twelve. Good-hy."
1t was some minutes past twelve :
the next morning when Percy Pres
ton and his sister entered Gayford's,
Bond Street; he looked eagerly |
Hats OF every description /
greeted him on all sides, but he saw /
no signs OF the particular person for |
whom he was seeking She had dis |
tlnctly said IL o'clock. and It was
now only few minutes past.
He watched the door eagerly each
time it was opened to admit some
new customer, but still she did not
appear. Would she break her prom /
Ise7 At last, In despair, he turned {
to his sister. who YVES {
busy trying on a large black hat. '
at suits madam beautifully, does '
Il not?" exclaimed a voice at his J
side. {
He started violently. He would
know that voice anywhere But
,urely-no, 1t was impossible. He
.urned in amazement and took a look Z
1t the tall. black-robed figure, who Z
VAS now trying on the hat herself In Z
order to show il off to its best adj !
lantage For one instant they gazed ;
1t each other, he with horror. she :
With calm amusement Then with
,ut a moments hesitation he looked
quickly away again. and made bolt
or the door d
Good heavensi" he muttered. 7
What an escape, Thank goodness a
no one saw. could never have 5
ooked Society in the face again. To :
.hink that she was a-By Jove, I've s
never been SO taken in before G
Thank goodness. she was think
ng. though she felt a strange
choking In her throat, "one doesn't
meet friends like that every day
But aloud she said
ITO what address shall ] send IL,
madam? The gentleman seems to ]
have gone
This. by the way. was the first J
mistake Of the kind he had ever
made in his life.
II was stated recently at a public /,
hearing In Australia that $4,000 900