The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-07-22
THEIR KIND
ASSISTANCE

Perkins for a ride, it created a great /
sensation at the Crosses, the exclusive
family hotel where she resided. With
one accord the other women said:
How entirely suitable 1t would be if
they made a match"
OF course, the fact that a marriage
able man takes manageable woman
for pleasure outing does not nee
essarily signify matrimonial inten-
lions on the part of either. The resi-
dents of the Crosses, however, were
following the unwritten law to the eff
feet that man over 40 is not allowed |
simple dallying. the prerogative of
selfish youth, but must have serious
intentions If he seeks feminine So |
ciety.
Besides being middle-aged, Killing
ton was widower, which added point |
to the affair. He did not live at the
Crosses, but every one knew of him
his wealth, his real-estate business,
his aversion to automobiles and his
famous horses.
AS for Miss Perkins, she was such
handsome woman that it had always
been a matter of curiosity how she
escaped matrimony. When she re-
turned from that first ride she was
met by Enthusiastically casual, I'M
conscious smiles.
Such lovely day. for a drive!"
chirped Mrs. Jones. I'D make him
take me again, Miss Perkins,"
Miss Perkins stood, tall and serene,
her cheeks pink beneath the fluff of
her silver pompadour, a CLINT Of
amusement in her dark eyes.
Il shall, Mrs. Jones; l certainly
shalt" she promised that matron,
who delightedly spread the news that
Miss Perkins was going in for the af-
fair seriously.
Every woman in the hotel at once
jumped to man the guns.
Wear your gray! Wear your gray!'
breathlessly prompted Mrs. Smith, the
second time Rillington and his trot-
ter drew up in front of the Crosses.
"You are dream in it, Miss Perkins,
with your hair!"
Mrs. Alberts tapped on her door
| Just as Miss Perkins started forth.
Miss Perkins," said she, won't you
wear these corals of mine-with the
gray, you know-please do"
A hand mysteriously beckoned Miss
Perkins as she smilingly passed down
the hall. 1t belonged to Mrs. Don
caster, who had the only three-room
suite at the Crosses.
Miss Perkins," called Mrs. Don
caster, when you come back why
don't you bring him up to my parlor?
You can just as we'll as not and it's
so much pleasanter and more secluded
than the reception room downstairs!
wish you would"
When later Miss Perkins babe Rill
ington good-by at the curb and came
In alone the watching women groaned
They agreed that she showed amaz
ingly small command of the situation
"And l had put out all the family
photographs and made my parlor jus
as attractive and homelike as pos
sible!" mourned Mrs. Doncaster. "H'
boards, you know!"
Miss Perkins remained provoking
ly cheerful and communicative. Sh'
betrayed none of the varying moods
usual to a person in the grasp OF
sentimental situation. Once whel
Rillington had not appeared for
week the Crosses was nearly hyster
ical with depressed anxiety. That is
/ with the exception of Miss Perkins
The pink in her cheeks never wavere'
and she ate her full three meals
day.
Indignation grew in the hearts o
the feminine boarders With all thei
help-proffers of corals, front parlor
and sisterly advice-she seemed nc
to make any marked progress towar
the matrimonial goal.
Mrs. Jones, with determined sc
to her jaw, was waiting for Miss Pc
kins when she returned from that las
ride. AS she told the other womei
If anything definite were going to hal
pen it wodld happen then, after thf
weeks interval, which probabl
marked a lovers quarrel.
II 'Well!" cried Mrs. Jones. playful
darting from her corner of the rece
ton room as spider dashes out IL
its prey. well! Seems to me yo
and Mr.. Rillington must have had
lot to talk over. You were gone nea
ly three hours! Is-can't-that
! when are VITO congratulate you, del
Miss Perkins?"
| The same amused CLINT came in
Miss Perkins dark eyes that had lor
fingered there.
III "Now!" she said, gayly. I'm co
graduating myself, for I've got u
dearest"
In the artful pause Mrs. JON
clasped her hand to her heart.
Dearest house on the north sho
II you ever saw" went on Miss Perkin
i "Mr. Rillington had number I
sale and I've been all this time deci
ing which one to buy! I'm tired