Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-07

Delighted To
--.--------- meet you!" said
ADon't Mention ~ Mr.. onthespot
with the firm atti.
tnde of one who declines to admit any
previous acquaintance whatsoever.
why, thought you both were at
lielen's house party!" exclaimed the
pretty girl. reprovingly.
Mr.. onthespot politely swung his
chair around from the fire before he
entirely banlshed 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.
ments!"
oh. not at ALI" protested the young
man. "You-you are looking as bloom.
Ing as ever" he added with the awk.
wardncss 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, victoriously.
lmpossible!' triumphed the young
man by the table.
lit was so nice OF You TO remem.
Der me- she offered rs oil on the
troubled waters.
oh. 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 il
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 fourth" said
Mr.. Hardtack; I'VE could have a game
of bridge"
T." sharply said the young man by
the fire. coming down from the picture
molding with thud, "am quite con.
tent Just as we re-were-that is
are, mean! Too bad you are bored.
lbrdtack."
'oh. Mr. Hardtack did not mean
that" said the pretty girl. hastily.
Tilt was 80 nice of you 10 come.
Have you been well all winter?"
i've had little cold" 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 tho
pretty girl absentmlndedly.
when was child" went on MFR
Hardtack. firmly. while the young man
by the fire frowRed at his ciaspod
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
lntely:"
81 dined there" said Mr.. IIardtack
last Thursday-no. 1t was last
Wednesday, am sure. because IT was
the day my new dress clothes were
NuS' anu IciutHiuST IL was D.SO he.
fore the boy brought thcm-no. it was
Thursday. after all. was at another
dinner Wednesday night. How stupid
OF me TO mix things SO! Yes. saw
Bob and Jessie last Thursday night"
There was silence, Then Mr.. Hard.
tack. with glare at MIR. Onthesnot
rose, "a 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 tho pretty girls around fac.
Ing the fire again and deftIy swung
them little nearer to each other than
they had been before.
Thank heaven he cleared out!' he
said, sayagely. Now, maybe you can
answer that most important of all
questions which had Just asked when
he bntted In! And say yes, won't
sou?'-Chicago Daily Newa.