Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-03-20
A Question of Giving.
By j. j. BELL.

rbisnered sharply in his ear: Sam
Gam wake up! You're snoring dread
fully.
aEh? WHAT" murmured the old
gentleman. slowly turning his head,
which was resting on the back OF the
luxurious easy chair. Sleeping?
snoring? Nonsense, Betty! was mere
~ thinking with my eyes shut"
"sh, Don't speak so loud, Sam"
che said. glancing nervously round the
,ounee of the big London hotel,
wherein the guests were gathering
,fter dinner. but you were snoring,
sam" she went on, $50 loudly that
was afraid we were quite dis
graced"
.Im sure I'm sorry" said the old
gentleman, producing a large SILK
handkerchief and polishing his brow
With II. Cant understand how
managed to drop over. Better blame
n on the Savoury. Ha! ha! Well,
What do you say to a cup of coffee,
Betty?"
aThat would be good for us both,
think" the old lady returned pleas
antly. I'm afraid I'm little drowsy
myself. But you and are getting old,
and can't go running about all day as
We used to do. We did too much this
afternoon. wasn't the least sur
prised when you fell asleep immedi-
ately after dinner"
@Old. Stuff and NONSENSE" chuck
led the old gentleman, producing
shabby cigar case. Hi! Here!' he
called to a young man in evening
dress who was crossing the lounge
close to where they sat.
The young man halted. 81 beg your
pardon." he began. Did you"
I'VE want two cups of coffee-one
white, one black" said the old gen.
teman. what is it, Betty?"
The young man flushed and for an
instant look annoyed. Then he
smiled.
Certainly, sir. I'll tell the waiter"
he said. and walked quickly away.
The old gentleman turned to his
wife. well, what is it, Betty? What
we're you pulling my sleeve for just
now? Didn't you want your. coffee
white?"
"Oh. SAM" she whispered with
something like a groan. "Oh, Sam,
how could you make such a stupid
mistaken" And she bowed her gray
head as II she felt all eyes upon her.
WELL" said the old gentleman a
trine testify, you've always taken 1t
white before?"
On the opposite side OF the lounge
the young man who had been taken
for a waiter was sitting beside pref
ty girl.
Those two old people," remarked
the pretty girl, ''are evidently dread
fully upset Don't you think, Billy,
that II would be nice IL you went over
and told the old gentleman that you
didn't really mind being taken fol
such a smart and useful person as
waiter?"
"oh, well, II you really think that's
the reason of the gloom"
'T'm sure 1t is, Billy. You remem-
Der how merry the two old things
were at dinner. And the old gentle
man was getting quite gay again after
his little nap when you happened tc
pass by"
you blame 1t all on me, Milly?'
said the young man laughing.
We'll. of course, IL you hadn't
passed Just then the mistake could moi
have occurred"
"Hooray for logic! All right; wei
rot over and see what we can do
It's rotten to see people humpy wheI
one Is happy"
oh. think you ought to go alone
Billy"
No, no. You must smile on the
old lady, and explain how proud 70,
ieit when you heard | had been taker
Tor useful member of society. l ex
pect she thinks you're my sister
Come along"
A little shyly the young people
crossed the floor to where the old PEG
pie sat. Milly bowed very sweet!
to the old lady.
Good evening"" said Billy awk-
vardly to the old gentleman. "Er-
! hope you got the coffee all right"
Yes said Milly, lying. prottily
Billy and l were afraid he nigh
have made mistake in giving you
instructions TO the waiter, and W,
couldn't feel comfortable until W,
made sure"
Just So" said Billy, with an ad
hiring glance at the young woman
Ahem! the hotel seems rather full
tonight-doesn't It, sir?'
Young man." said the old gentle
man, most kindly expression on hi
clean shaven face, 1T is good of 70,
ana your sister to forgive my stupit
pistake. | wasn't quite wide awake a
ne time. I'm afraid, and to tell yol
ne truth, my wife and | have beer
eeiing a bit uneasy. However, l Sc
gu DO not want me to apologize fur
per Have you and your sister ha
, once? What is it, Betty? What ar
GU pulling"
sam" said the old lady, I'm sur
us young lady is the young gentle
aans wife. Is it not so, my dear?
ne asked. looking up at Milly, VIII
aushed.
You have guessed it. madam" sal