Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-07-22
1y G. K. Kitchener.

The waiter In one Of the cafes was
about to seat me at table in one
corner of the room where | could be
quite alone when a delicatelyr modu-
lated cough from another table just
to my right brought my eyes quickly
to attention. There was absolutely no
reason to suppose that the faultiessly
attired young wcman would have been
guilty Of purposely coughing to attract
my attention
was about to accept in confusion
the chair that the waiter had been
proffering me during the whole of that
embarrassed moment, when once more
that modulated chaste cough came to
my ears, Looking up again in an ex-
element that was feyerish in it's in
tensity | saw a smile on the lips of
the girl 1t was Ike the blooming Of
the first violet or the kiss of the first
ray of summers dawn. From the
alocfness and impossibility Of stran-
ger they had blossomed into the smile
Of acquaintanceship.
You do not remember me?"
The voice was like the memory of
dream--a bachelors dream. re-
NAMED in mute attention and mystery.
"Oh, well, . she went on, with sigh
that expressed just the shade of an
noyance. you men are all alike. Don't
you think, honestly, now that If you
no f,,,l Nov,
She paused SUCCESSFULLY. 1t gave me
an opportunity to prove that | was
not mummy-to do something, to
say something. moved closer to her
table.
NO. oh, NOT l protested. You
that is, of course"
Probably | should have gone on in
definitely, but she interrupted me mer-
cifully:
please don't speak of it. I'm not
in the least offended. Won't you sit
down? It's good to see you. had
no idea you were in town this month.
] sat down dazedly, and then glanced
up again The eyes were looking be-
yond me toward the entrance of the
cafe. had an inclination to follow
their gaze, but did not 1t was bet
ter to look at the eyes, | thought.
Suddenly she gave little tremulous
cry and her pupils widened with ter
ror. could hear a slight commotion
behind me. Two well-groomed police
men paused confidently at our table.
We'll, we've got you this time"
The remark was addressed insolent-
ly to my companion. | glanced in be-
wilderment at milady eyes. In them
there was a full measure of scorn and
contemplation the policemen-but no
explanation. But as | looked they |
turned again to me-and after that
would have fought regiment of in
fantry.
Seeing the air Of proprietorship that
suddenly assumed the man who had
spoken turned to me with glance Of
softened authority.
This young woman" he explained,
lis wanted for liftin a ring at Vein
bergs,'
struggled to my feet and clutched
the table.
1T is impossible is, there
must be some mistake" ] fioundered,
and then appealed to milady's eyes.
In them there was an answering ques-
ton and look of challenge. With the
dignity of queen, the outraged eyes
blazing with insulted respectability,
x ,,De<, ~ I. -. F,,n 1o;.,b+
My husband" she flashed with
peculiar emphasis, and there was not
even quivering of an eyelfd as she
said it, will discuss this matter with
you alone. cannot stay here to be
and she swept like a
duchess into the ladies' waiting room.
Well. the policemen were just as
much impressed as was. All three
If us were silent for the fraction Of q II
minute and then mechanically II,
pulled out my card case, The name
was not unfamiliar to the policeman,
ind he bowed his acknowledgment
Mistakes" he said. apologetically,
are sometimes unavoidable" But
here was peculiar look in his eyes (
is he turned to go. le
MY head .'whirled with the impossi-
,ility Of the situation, and CROPPED
,lindly toward the door of the ladies
waiting room to rejoin-my wife
AT the door the mystery faded The
Dom was empty. The door OF an out I
ide entrance to the room was aiar '
md breeze from without stirred a t
lip Of paper on one Of the little
wicker tables
II was the bill for miIady's luncheon.