The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-09-04

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I am ,cTY sorry I said Nth .
Hrfrc,lon ~ tho ~hantcrine aiy abe had
assumed
oh. indeed" exclaimed the yuups
rr woman. to whom my rycA had
turned as Mira Knapp spoke her name
How very unklnd 81 you To HAy 80.
when | have Just won a pair ~ sloNcs
by t. Good evening Ia youl" And
she held out her hand,
It was with u strong cror, that I
kept my self. possession. as for the
first time | claspcd the hand OF LucllA
Knapp.
Was II the thrill of her touch. the
glance OF her eye, or the magnetism
OF her presence. that set my pulses
beating TO "A new measure. and gave
my spirit Il breath from a q world3
What ever the case. as | looked into
the c%loarcut face and the frank gray
eyes Of the woman before me. | was
swept by a flood OF emotion that was
near ~overpowerlng my s~clf.control.
| mastered the emotion In n mo-
ment and took the seat to which she
had waved me.
| was puzzled n little at the tone in
which she addressed me. There was
n suggestion OF resentment In her man.
ner that grew on me as we talked.
Can | describe her? or what use to
try? She IA not beautiful. and pref.
ty" was too petty a word to apply to
Luella Knapp. Fine looking" II said
with the proper emphasis, might give
some idea of appearance, for she was
tall In figure, with features that were
impressive in their attractiveness.
Through all the conversation the
idea that Miss Knapp was regarding
me with a hidden disapproval was
growing on me. l decided that Henry
had made some m blunder
on his last visit and that | was suf.
fering the penalty for It. The admira-
ton | felt for the young woman deep
ened with every sentence she spoke,
and | was ready to do anything to re.
might have endangered, and in lieu
of apology exerted myself to the ut.
most to be agreeable.
l was unconscious of the flight of
time until Mrs. Knapp turned from
some other guests and walked toward
us.
Come, Henry" she said pointedly,
"Luella is not to monopolize you all
the time. Besides, there's Mr.. Inman
dying to speak to her"
l promptly hated Mr.. Inman with
all my heart and felt not the slightest
| objection to his demise; but at her
| gesture of command / rose and accom-
panied Mrs. Knapp. az a young man
with eyeglasses and a smirk came to
take my place. l left Luella Knapp,
congratulating myself over my clever
ness in escaping the pitfalls that lined
my way.
Now I've a chance to speak to you
at last" said Mrs. Knapp.
"At your service" | bowed. Il owe
| you something"
Indeed" Mrs. Knapp raised her
eyebrows in surprise.
For your kind recommendation to
Mr.. Knapp"
my recommendation? You have
a little the advantage Of me-"
l was stricken with painful doubts,
and the cold sweat started upon me.
Perhaps this was not Mrs. Knapp after
all.
"Oh, perhaps you didn't mean it."
l said.
Indeed l did. II it was a recon.
m%endation. I'm afraid it was uncon.
scious, though. Mr.. Knapp does not
consult me about his business"
I was in doubt no longer. 1t was
the injured pride Of the wife that
spoke in the tone.
I'm none the less Obliged" l said
c~arelessly. HE assured me that he
acted on your words"
What on earth are you doing for
Mr.. Knapp" she asked earnestly,
dropping her half-bantering tone.
There was a trace of Apprehension In
her eyes.
I'm afraid Mr.. Knapp wouldn't
think your recommendations were
quite justified If l should tell you. Just
| get him in a corner and ask him."
II suppose 1t is that dreadful stock
market"
ooh, madam, let me say the chicken
market. There is a wonderful oppor
tunity just now for corne in fowls"
There are a good many to be
| plucked In the market that Mr.. Knapp
will look after" she said with a smile.
But there was something Of a worried
look behind it. "Oh, you know,
| Henry that I can't bear the market, /