The Washington herald., 1907-06-26
NJ A T 6 H NJ 4 K IN g .
BY FRANK n. SWEET.

By FhANh
Ensconced behind his flower boxes on
the yeranda. Tom Errett could look into
the neighboring garden and watch her;
for she, too, sought the cool and sweet
ness Of her garden. On Tuesday evening
she espied him. What man could resist
that smile? There was silent, perhaps
unconscious. invitation in it that brought
Tom to his feet and TO the wall.
Good evening. Mr. Errett" said the
girl in white.
Good evening. Miss Smith," answered
the man on the wall.
You look altogether too comfortable.
I think we shall have 10 follow suit and
build a yeranda."
Don't Use mine" was on his tongues
end but he only responded: 1T is COM
Portable. Then the informality of the
situation was too much for him. Wont
sou come over and Try it, he pleaded.
I'm afraid the wall is too much for
me-" she said. smiling demurely.
! Tom was a man who never turned
/ back, his hand once on the pillow. He
dropped quickly TO the ground, on her
/ side Of the fence.
I'm dreadfully lonely" was his apol-
! ogy.
/ On Wednesday she was not visible. and
4 there was a void upon the earth. On
/ Thursday and Friday things resumed the
new glamour On Saturday the moon
was a shadOWy crescent above the tree
| tops: the stars were still yelled In sunset
/ mists. the air was odOTOus with the scent
/ OF mignOuette and sweet peas Tom, eX-
I pectgncy written IN every feature. wait
/ ed for the flutter OF white amid the flow
! eTs. the sound of a voice which was like
/ no other voice he had ever heard. At the
| first signal of her approach. he stepped
| boldly on the wall.
Special delivery. sir said a servants
/ voice behind him. He opened the letter,
! conscious that her eyes were upon him.
u was from the wife of a college friend
| inviting him TO spend Sunday az their
| country place He glanced al his watch
/ There was barely time 20 catch the last
train. Then his eyes fell upon her.
! Answer. sir?'
"No-ves-wait a moment"
His eyes still sought hers
| Can l help yOu2" she asked. sweetly.
"Will you%' he flashed eagerly. May
I go to church with you Tomorrow"
The corners Of her mouth drew together
in a wise little smile; for Tom had not
| impressed her as being a church man.
"Yes-but its early mass"
Tom did not finch.
Thanks" he said. quietly. and. scrib-
ling "a few words he handed them to
/ the man:
To Mrs. Huudon Roberts. Holly House. Columbia
Heights y. J.:
Another engagement. Impossible 90 CO. AwfulIy
-urE THOMAS EBRBTT
To Mr. Hemdcn Roberts. Holly House. Columbia
Heights, y. J..
| Your letter misCarriod and came too late Greatly
Disappointed VIII run UP next Saturday Il conye-
Hicnt % yuu. AUGUSTA SMITH.
Herndon Roberts. returning from the
Columbia links. found his wife staring al
the two kilograms with disappointed
/ ewes
Fate Is against us" she groaued
Tom has another engagement-here's MS
WIRE and another from Augusta says
that my letter miscarried and reached
her too late. l shall write them both
special delivery now"
Going to her desk Mrs. Roberts penned
the following notes:
Dear Tom: Don't make any engagements for next
SATURDAY OF SUNDAY. II yen have one, break it, 90,
Tom dear. We are going 10 tn the links I
can't think Of any stronger indictment. Take the
$40 by vas Of the Cortlaudt street ferry.
Hastily, but cordially yours.
AGNES ROBERTS
Ny Dear Augusta: Can't understand my letter
miscauyinr but | won't cry over spilled milk, al
though was tempted b. Delighted At the prospect
irF witt -hi= ruriv Takn
the $40 train by way Of the Cortlandt street ferry
Always affacti0nstely yours AGNES ROBERTS.
The gatekeeper at the ferry shut Tom
from joining the hurrying crowd dozen
yards i'm advance.
Sorry. sir. but you're too late" he
said There'll be another beat in a few
minutes"
Tom. suit case in hand, gazed helpless
~ at the closed gate.
Too late TO connect with the $40" he
said. "This boat would have made it, 81
But his tone was lstless
The official eye still regarded him curl
ously Sorry. sir" he repeated. Where
were you bound for?'
Columbia Heights"
NO more trains for the Heights to.
day, sir"
Where is the nearest telegraph Office?
asked Tom, striving 10 hide the grin OF
delight which spread over his face as the
man spoke
He sent the telegram TO the Robertses
jumped into a cab, and drove home
! elated. Disappointment awaited him
however. The house next door was sus
piciously quiet.
Cook says they've gone away" ven
tured his man. as Tom sat down 10 hi
solitary dinner. "Claret. sir?''
For how long?' asked Tom. family.
"All summer, sir Miss Smith ha:
went TO the Hot Springs. Rheumatic!
terrible, sir.
Hot Springs-rheumatics? repeated
. Tom. regardless Of his English in his ex
{ element
Il suppose. sir. that when folks get
old they feel bit shaky, SIR the MAJ
explained.
"Old?' roared Tom, what do 70,
meang'
The COOK said Miss Smith would b,
D slxty-four come next September, sir
IL 'of whom are you speaking. Jones?'