Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-04

reSuminE her whip. T noticed" observed Siward, "thai { you are perfectly qualified for mem. bership fin our association for the pro
 motion of bad manners-in fact, : should suggest you for the presl.
 dency"--
 "I suppose you think all sorts of
 things because I gushed over that
 dog"
 "Of course l do."
 Well. you need not" she rejoined, delicate nose up tilted q never kissed baby in all my life and never mean to, which is probably more than you can say"
 Yes; it is more than can say"
 That admission elects you presi- dent" she concluded. But after a mo- ment's silent driving she turned partly toward him with mock seriousness: "Is it not horribly unnatural in rno to feel that way about babies-and about people too? I simply cannot en- dure demonstrations. AS for dogs and horses-well. I've admitted how I be-
 iuNS, dhts bCihS sO SHuLuClCSStS ducC- tionate by disposition, why can't be nice to babies? I've hay but dread ful notion that there's something wrong about me. Mir. Siward."
 He scrutinized the pretty features anxiously. 'I can't see it," he said.
 But I mean it-almost seriously. I don't want to be so aloof, but don't like to touch other people. It is rather horrid of me, l suppose. to be like those silky. plumy, luxurious Angora cats, who never are civil to you and who always jump out of your arms at the first opportunity
 He laughed. and there was malice in his eyes, but he did not know her well enough to pursue the subject | through so easy an opening. It had occurred to her, too, that her simile might invite elaboration, and she sensed the laugh in his silence and liked him for remaining silent where he might easily have beenswittily oth- erwise
 This set her so much at ease left her co SoAiuChls thdI lucy NclC Ou of gayest understanding presently, she gossiping about the guests at Shot, over House. outlining the diversions planned for the two weeks before them.
 But we shall see little of one an- other. You will be shooting most of the time." she said. with the very faintest hint of challenge-too delicate, too impersonal, to savor of coquetry But the germ of it was there.
 Do you shoot?"
 "Yes. Why?'
 T am reconclled to the shooting, then"
 She laughed and started to flick her whip, but at her first motion the horse gave trouble.
 "The bit doesn't ft." observed Si- ward
 You are perfectly right" she re- turned. surprised. "I ought to have remembered. It is shameful to drive horse improperly bitted" And aft CT moment: You are corsiderate to- ward animals. It is good in man."
 "Oh, it's no merit. When animals are uncomfortable 1t worries me- It's one sort of selfishness, you sec"
 What nonsensev' she said, and her smile was very friendly. Why doesn't a nice man ever admit he's nice when told so?"
 It seems they had advanced that far. for she was beginning to find this | young man not only safe, but promis- 1 ing She had met nobody recently half | as amusing, and the outlook at Shot l over House had been unpromising with only the overgrateful Page twins to practice on, the other men collec- lively and individually boring her. And suddenly, welcome as mama | from the sky, behold this highly agree able boy to play with-until Quarrier arrived! Her telegram had been ad- dressed to Mfr. Quarter.
 It was perhaps the reaction of her gayety that recalled to her mind her telegram. The telegram had been her promised answer after she had had time to consider a suggestion made to her by Mir. Howard Quarter The last week at Shotover permitted re- flection, and, while her telegram was no complete answer to the suggestion he had made, it contained material of interest in the eight words, q will con- sider your request when you arrive"
 "I wonder if you know Howard Quarter" she said.
 After a seconds hesitation he re- piled: "Yes. little. Everybody does." You do know himT
 'Only at the club"
 "0h, the LenoxT
 "The Lenox and the Patroons."
 Preoccupied. driving with careless. almost inattentive, perfection, she thought idly of her twenty three years, wondering how life could have passed So quickly, leaving her already strand cd on the shoals of an engagement to marry Howard Quarter. Then her thoughts, errant, wandered half the world over before they returned to Si- ward, and when at length they did, and meaning to be civil, she spoke again of his acquaintance with Quar- rier at the Patroons club. the club it. self being sufficient to settle Siward's status in every community.