The Washington herald., 1908-07-15
IN THE ATTIC.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.

The Idea" said Miss Cynthia. with
dignity.
She was q little sorry. however. when
she reached the siJting-room that she had
not taken the girls advice. For the man
that she greeted was big and blond and
prosperous looking. Il developed that
he slurred his grammar. but as he leaned
back in the biggest rocking chair and
talked in his hearty voice. Miss Cynthia
decided that he was very attractive
Z expect you think IT'S queer my
droppin' IN on you this way2'' he said.
as Martha Ann announced lunch. But
I couldn't pass the peoples and the
peonies in the yard. Ny mother used to
have an oid-fashioned garden. and there
was something about yours that reminded
me Of IT, and I felt as II you'd give me
a home-cooked meal A man gets tired
OF hotels"
Over the steaming. savory soup he ex-
panded still more
This IS the kind Ike he said. with
all the vegetables in IL, and herbs-I'u bet
you We got a lot Of herbs tied UP IN your
attic-my mother had She said the attic
was the pleasantest place in the house.
and used 10 think so. too.
Miss Cynthia felt that at last she had
met an understanding soul
Would you like 10 go up after lunch -
she asked eagerly. there IS a fine view
from the little dormer window
Ny, how nice It smells" said the big
man as he seated himself in Miss Cvn-
thia's favorfte corner The black diary
lay open by his side. His eyes caught the
line,
Love is of mans Ik a thing apart:
lis Wumaus whole existence
"Oh. tommy-rot.~ he said. did you
write that
Yes Miss Cynthia admitted. Byron
said IT, you know"
We'll he didn't know what he was
talking about Why, If I loved a woman
I should Just love her all over-no half
way business for me-
oh" Miss Cynthia gasped- There was
something in his tone that made his
statement next door TO a declaration-a
fervency that positively thrilled her
I am awfully glad I came" he said
as they went downstairs: Il an a strane-
er in this neighborhOod. but II you viii
let ne come again 7 viii be mighty glad
Il seems Ike my own folks"
You must come real often" Miss Gym
thia urged. and hoped that Martha Ann
would not hear her Invitation
Gee. this Is the way 10 live said
her visitor as he stood on the stepz and
surveyed the quiet garden. the family
Of gray pussy cats in the sunny porch
corner. the gray horse IN the paddock
I should think travelling around in
your automobile would be interesting"
Miss Cynthia ventured-
We'll, It's he agreed. DO you Ike
t?'
7 have never been in one" Miss Gym
thia admitted
'What2- he asked. "Oh. look here
you run right up and put on your hat
and III take you"
oh. said Miss Cynthia, all a-futter.
7 wonder if 1 CAM
"Of course you can" said the gentle
man securely, 7 won't run away with
you"
Safe in her own room, Miss Cynthia
consulted Martha Ann.
You'd better go with u.s." she said,
I don't think it's quite proper. Martha
Ann. do you?"
y wouldn't 20 IN one Of them things
II you'd give it TO ne" Martha Ann
said. and he's all right. saw his name
on a bundle Of papers he left in the au-
tomobile- He's Andrew Briggs. the mil
lionaire that's bought the factory He is
building q church and a library for the
town. and guess he's respectable
Miss Cynthia dressed In a whirl. or
what account was that little romance Of
years ago, when at her gates was a
prince like this2
She came down with four yards Of
white chiffon tied around her hat Il
had been bought for a waist, but, worn
as a vel It made a fascinating frame
for her flushed little face She had
lOosened her hair. and the soft brown
cUrls gave yOuthfuiness 10 her express
sion
Mr. Briggs eyed her with appreciation
I'm awfuIiy glad I met YOU he said
again, as he helped her into his car.
Martha looked after them as they
whirled down the long white road
We'll, never" she remarked 10 the
pussy cats. Did you ever see two peo-
pie take to each other Ike that? I bet
it Will be q match"
And It wasi
tCo7y7iglted. lsos. by P. Q. Eastmeas)