Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-08-10

0eSlre 10 KISS III. A SraCefuI inquire, a
proud head, a slender hand. a foot so
small that / wondered ii it really
poised, balanced or supported her
young body. Tender she must be, and
loving. enclitical rather than erect like
her authoritative companion. She was
adorable.
All this inventory of feminine charms
was taken by furtive glances. some
times caught-or were they taking an
inventory of myself? Presently my
appetite became singularly submis.
eive. Hunger often is satisfied by the
feeding of the eyes. / dropped my
napkin on the table and pushed back
my chair. My hostesses ceased con.
versing.
Ladies" said | c~ourteously, Il Of
fer you my sincere apologies for this
innocent intrusion" | looked at my
watch. Il believe that you gave me
an hours respite. So. then, l have 80
minutes to my account
The women gazed at each other.
One laughed, and the other smiled; it
was the English girl who laughed this
time. ] liked the sound Of it better
than any | had yet heard.
pardon another parenthesis. |
hope you haven't begun to think / am
the hero Of this comedy. Let it be
furthest from your thoughts. | am
only a passive bystarder)
Il sincerely trust that your hunger
is appeased," said the one who had
smiled.
1T is, thank you" l absently FUN
bled in my coat pockets, then guiltily
dropped my hands. What a terrible
thing habit is.
you may smoke" said the Bou-
guereau child who was grown into
womanhood. Wasn't that fine of her?
And wasn't it rather observant, too?
| learned later that she had a brother
who was fond of tobacco. To her eyes
my movement was a familiar one.
with your kind permission said |
gratefully. / hadn't had a smoke In
tour hours.
l owned a single good cigar, the last
of my importation. ! lighted it and
blew forth a snowy billow of heavenly
aroma. l know something about hu-
man nature, even the feminine side of
It. A ~presentable young man with a
roll of aromatic tobacco seldom fails
to win the confidence Of those about
him, With that cloud of smoke the
raw edge of formality smoothed down.
Had unta N ~ rsi1u1ar Anctipa-
tion ?" asked Gretchen.
None at all. The road took my
fancy, and l simply followed it."
All! that is one of the pleasures of
riding-to go wherever the inclination
bids. / ride"
We were getting on famously.
do you tax long journeys?" l in
quired.
"Often. II is the most e~xhilarating
of sports" said the E~nchantment
The scenery changes; there are so
many things that charm and engage
your interest; the mountains, the wa
! terways. the old ruins. Have you ever
whistled to the horses aield and
watched them come galloping down to
the wall? Il is fine In England"
But her mouth closed suddenly. She
was talking TO a stranger.
/ love enthusiasm IN a woman II
colors her cheeks and makes her eyes
sparkle. | grew a bit holder.
Il heard a wonderful voice as l ap-
preached the castle" said /.
Gretchen shrugged.
Il haven't heard it's equal outside
Berlin or Paris" / went on.
"Paris?" said Gretchen, laying a
neat little trap for me into which my
conceit was Don to tumble me. Paris
is a marvellous city"
There is no city to equal 1t. lnas-
much as we three shall never meet
again, will you not do me the honor to
repeat that jewel song from Faust?"
My audacity did not impress her in
the least.
You can scarcely expect me to give
a supper to a stranger and then sing
for him, besides said Gretchen, a
chill again stealing into her tones.
These Americana" she observed to
her companion in French.
/ laid aside my cigar. approached the
piano, and sat down. / struck a few
chords and found the instrument to be
in remarkable good order. ! played a
Chopin "~Polonaise," l tinkled Grieg's
"Pxpillon." then i ceased.
THAT is to pay for my supper" 1
explained,
Next ! played lie Courier, and when
/ had finished that / turned again, ris-
ing.
THAT is to pay for my horses sup
per" l said.
Gretcnen'n good humor returned.
Whoever you are. sir" her tone no
longer repellent, you are amusing.
Pray, tell us whom we have the honor
to entertain"
Il haven't the vaguest idea who my
hostess is,"-evasively.
1T is quite out of the question. You
are the intruder
Call me Mr.. Intruder, then" said l.
II was Won will agree a novel adj