The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-12-12

|
by"
/ Sir Thomas shrivelled up. 80 sor-
| ry. wasn't aware -. apologize
.. J" he murmured, and plunged pro-
foundly into his paper For the re-
mainder Of the run to Rugby he was
assuring himself Indignantly that it
was an Ubiquitous thing for two peo-
pie who knew each other intimately to
meet as If they were perfect strangers.
At Rugby the Bounder alighted and
beckoned to porter. Then he nodded
in a casual way to his cousin and dis
appeared.
"He is Bounder!" said Sir Thomas,
mentally. He was surprised to hear
the girl speaking to him.
1T is only his manner" she said,
confidentially. HE doesn't mean any
| thing"
| 'Quite So" said Sir Thomas. He did
Aot desire to talk.
Cousins" said the. girl, ARE gener-
ally rather stupid, when they are not
engaged. Don't you think 500"
Il am afraid | have not studied the
question" said Sir Thomas, CURLY.
II wonder" said the girl, "if you
would mind getting me sandwich? /
| am really ridiculously hungry"
Sir Thomas groaned inwardly, but
he rose and departed on his mission.
| "You had better buy two sand
wiches,' said the girl, putting her head
through the window, land a glass of
milk, please"
Sir Thomas nodded He could not
trust himself to speak.
/ When he reached the refreshment
buffet he felt that his nerves needed
strengthening. Tim he returned with
the milk and sandwiches, for which
he was thanked prettily.
DO you know said the girl, when
the train had restarted, II rather like
YOU" She attacked the second sand
witch.
Sir Thomas felt alarmed. Why should
he submit to being liked by pretty and
unknown girls in smoking compart-
ments?
'But I'm afraid you have bad tenn
per- she added, examining his face
carefully. "You have, haven't your"
Sir Thomas said nothing; he was
reading.
DO put away that horrid paper!" she
said persuasively. Il am sure you have
read it from end to end at least three
times. Put it away, and be nice, and
talk to MEL
|
| MY dear madam he began
| Il know what you want" she said,
suddenly. How very stupid of me!
OF course, you are dying for cigar
| assure you don't mind it bit, real
ly! In fact, l sometimes smoke my
self! Should shock you very much if
| had cigarette now?"
"This-ah-is a smoking compart-
ment," Sir Thomas observed. There
!. is no reason, | believe, why travellers
in smoking compartment should-ah
refrain from smoking"
| The girl produced dainty case, took
out a cigarette, and lit it, Sir Thomas
lit cigar.
Then she began to talk. 1t was easy
| for him to make mental reservations,
but she didn't mind She went on talk
ing. She told him, progressing by gen.
tie stages, astounding and incredible
things, until he gasped with amaze
ment She revealed to him (from the
depth Of her imagination) how the
modern girl lives or desires to live
She related, without apparent effort,
her strange histories of several Of her
friends. Then she explained to him
lightly and brightly many important
points in literature, and music, art,
politics and sport-especially in horse
racing. She finished with brief but
comprehensive reference to society COS
SIP
"a remarkably clever girl" thought
Sir Thomas. Really, haven't been
SO much amused for long time. But,
Of course, she is extremely forward"
The train slowed down and stopped.
why, really" he exclaimed, I'VE are
at Lichfield How quickly the time has
gone!"
He beckoned to a porter; then turn
ed to the girl.
Il have to thank you-ah-for a most
enjoyable journey" he said affably. 81
wish you good day.
The girl had risen. Il also stop here"
she said. Il am staying in the neigh
borhood"
They got out The porter had al
ready taken Sir Thomas bag, and was
conveying it to his motor, which was
waiting.
Would you mind looking after my
things?" asked the girl. you will find
them in the guards van. There are
two trunks, a Gladstone, and a hat
/ box"
"Eh?" said Sir Thomas. "Oh-ah-
yes, certainly! What name?"
Leslie" said the girl
s1-eslie?" murmered Sir Thomas. The
name seemed familiar. However, he
discovered the luggage, which was
| placed on a truck and wheeled to the