The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1908-04-16

with the f1rm attl-
tude of one who declines to admit any
previous acquaintance whatsoever.
Why, l thought You both were at
Helen's house party" exclaimed the
pretty, girl. reprovingly.
Mr.. Onthespot politely swung his
chair around from the fire before he
entirely banished his lowering brow.
so we were," he confessed. Names
slip ones mind so. But do remem-
Der your face now, Hardtack! Par
don mel"
Don't mention it," said the young
man by the table.
I've tried to get down here TO see
you before. Miss jones'" continued
Mr. Hardtack.
ITS too bad" murmured the pretty
girl. abstractedly. You are so popu-
lar, Mr.. Hardtack--so many engage
mentsi"
"Oh, not at ALL" protested the young
man. "YOu-you are looking as bloom
ing as ever" he added with the awk-
wardness that comes from having to
speak before an unsympathetic listen
err, yet with the doggedness OF de-
termination.
More SOL" put in the young man by
the fire, VIGOROUSLY
'Impossiblel" triumphed the young
man by the table
Tit was so nice of you to remem-
Der me" she offered as oil on the
troubled waters
"Oh, l always do, that" said the
young man by the table, settling back
In his chair. you see, you're not
the sort Of girl one could forget II
one wanted to-"
The young man by the FIRE
crossed one knee over the other and
stared up at the picture molding as II
nothing on earth interested him.
TOO bad we haven't a fourth" said
Mr.. Hardtack; I'VE could have q game
Of bridge"
ST." sharply said the young man by
the fire. coming down from the picture
molding with thud, "am quite con
tent just as we are-were-that is,
are, ] mean! Too bad you are bored,
Hardtack"
"Oh, Mr.. Hardtack did not mean
that" said the pretty girl, hastily.
'It-it was so nice Of you to come.
Have you been well all winter?"
I've had a little cold,7 explained
Mr.. Hardtack. Beyond that my health
has been very satisfactory. al
ways take care Of cold in time, don't
you, Miss Jones?"
"Oh, dear me. yes" answered the
pretty girl, absent-mindedly.
when / was a child" went on Mr..
Hardtack, firmly, while the young man
by the fire frowned at his clasped
fingers. Il used to have such dread
full colds that my mother was afraid
I'd have lung fever every winter.
Many night has she sat up with me-"
"How sweet of her!" said the pretty
girl. Have you seen Bob and Jessie
lately?"
Il dined there" said Mr.. Hardtack,
'last Thursday-no, 1t was last
Wednesday, | am sure, because II was
NAc ny AAy nov hAOoa NlOluCo were
due, and | remember it was 8: 30 be-
fore the boy brought them-no. It was
Thursday, after all. / was at another
dinner Wednesday night How stupid
of me to mix things SOL Yes. / saw
Bob and Jessie last Thursday night"
There was silence. Then Mr.. Hard.
tack. with a glare at Mr.. Onthespot,
rose. Il have another call to-make, /"
he said. Il must be going"
AS the outer door closed on Mr..
Hardtack Mr.. Onthespot swung his
chair and the pretty girls around fac.
Ing the Are again and deity swung
them little nearer to-each other than
they had been before
h Thank heaven he cleared Quit" he
said. sayaEely. '.Now, maybe you can
answer that most important OF ali
questions which had just asked when
he butted I'M And say yes. won't
! youY'-chlcago Daily News.