Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1907-01-03

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her dark hair, that matched the pale pink
OF her fluffy dinner gown.
Mo- he somewhat absently qucricd
Its odd, isn't it?' Miss Strong went
! on. "He seems to have the idea that
YOU we'll"
~ good-fornothing ?"
Miss Strong agreed with depreciation.
IT'S too bad. isn't it3 How does he
get such an impression of you" There
was shade more of curiousneSs than OF
sympathy in her tone.
why didn't you say good word
for me7"
Il did; I told him what a splendid
half-back you were"
And that was the best you could
do for me" he laughed. a little Bit
terly
IT'S the biggest thing you ever lid"
Miss Strong reminded him, with inno-
cent sincerity.
Il remember" reminiscently, how
Wild was about your playing that day.
You were such a heroi When you
came around after the game and spoke
to me | was eaten up with satisfied
pride because knew you. and so many
Of the girls were enviousl Don't you
remember how glorious il was7"
1T was a brief glory" he gloomily
assured her. It's all exhausted-not a
glimmer of il left"
Why don't you do something 10
make il come to YOU again." she asked
severely. Don't you feel, don't you
know how stupid il is TO be nothing
TO do nothing but lead cotilions and
play bridget Why don't you keep on
making people proud of you9'
Stafford looked up from the FIRE
"Oh, it's easy" he Knocked her rail
lery, TO live at high pressure When
| was on the winning side in a foot
ball game. | was of n moments consid-
eration but life isn't all football I
haven't had 10 work for my living
more'S the pity-so. as YOU put il. I've
led cotillions and played bridge And
! liked it, he confessed. politely. "as il
has given me the opportunity of seeing
you"
IF you call that carrying the war
into the enemy's quarters
Il never call names. I'm a vagrant-
but you're 4 butterfly
"Soulless9 An she unused
i think, he suggested, you are beg
ging the question
''We look at things from two points
OF view she frostily told him
"Yes. I've tried 10 convince YOU il
ought to be one. but its always two"
She tapped the toe Of her slipper on
the tiled hearth.
'Why don't you do somethng" she
demandeI. How can YOU be content
to go through life just"
Myself he laughed. good humor-
edly. Don't you think It was my mis-
fortune more than my fault that my
father left me a fortune"
IF you hadn't a cent perhaps you'd
be worth something she paradoxically
told him.
"Oh, yes. you'd pity me, then" he
coldly assented
There came a little silence, and Stat
ford put a book he had been holding
on the table between them
"The book you lent me" he explained
Il didn't like IL. thanks
What poor tasteP she impolitely
commented
Stafford was not much OF a reader.
as she knew Indeed, he only now and
then borrowed a book from her to give
himself a justihahe excuse for calling
and the volume OF Meredith she had
last somewhat cruelty selected had been
deep waters 20 his unaccustomed feet =.
for the pleasure Of swimming after elus-
i've problems was one he could deduct
with ease from his share of worldly hap
piness.
81" Miss Stron~ continued. taking up
Richard Fevercl." "like il exceedingly
| am devoted 70 Meredith As Helen
Leveret says. he holds candle 10 the
mirror for you to see yourself"
~She'd better leave that 70 Braith-
waite he'll arrange II more fi.tteringly
than Meredith
"Mr. Braithwaithe All. he's charm
mgr
as he what a woman calls charm
ing ?" Stafford desired TO know Hes
great friend OF mine, but-'charm-
ing"
"Yes, charming, He's so pleasant and
so intelligent He adores Meredith"
Mistaken manp Stafford interpo-
lated.
"And then he's such a success in his
profession" Miss Strong proceeded
The bishop says he's distir uished as
lawyer"
ooh, he's a good fellow and he has
plenty OF talent, Stafford agreed. i
think he and Miss Leveret viii be very
happy"
Yes he gives the impression OF be-
ing thoroughly in earnest about making
his way in life-making the best OF it."
Miss Strong said. making an obvious
peg Of Braithwaite
Stafford agreed again
why can't you do that" she sug-
gested, abandoning the peg
MAKE the best OF life9 I'm trying
to-" he said
ooh" she tonelessly murmured
Il assure you am" he seriously as
serted, and rising. put out his hand.
Since the bishop doesn't approve OF
me, and you didn't take up the cudgels
for me, suppose mustn't come often
any more" he questioned
She smiled at the somberness of his
tone.
we'll suppose not--until he does
You see. I'm improving the shining mo-
II