The new South-news., 1908-07-25
A Jump
at Conclusions
BY ALICE LOUISE LEE

NiiHf NvN ana Nhftif N'fttHr Anne WhH
tloh a good listener. Mrl. nixby was
talking. Every one talked to Anne.
I'm 30 Nad you ran la today"
Mrs. Bilby befan. opening her work
beg ana producinF a rold-lined thim-
De I've wanted 10 sec you ever
rince Emma Eaalcy called Tuesday
afternoon win thst man she's engaged
10. presume yOn'l he astoniahcd. but
wasn't I've known the Easleys for
ycafs back J knew Finma's Grand
father aud hey an have just the same
fircak ln them that Emma showed
when rhr was here"
Ammo looked y surprised. and be-
gan drawing her long gloves slowly
through her nnFoU.
Mr nlkby set a chalr cnorfeiically
near the north window. where she
could command O good lirhf, aud gazcd
into the depths ~ blue flik work bag
critically Mrs Rixhy was nothing II
hot critical About her eyes were nnc.
downward aloping lines. acquired
through rnfing stoadfnHtly on her ac-
quhiniaDcea faults
'Of conrbc this ~ something would
not tcll everybody, but / knew I could
tcll You ! waa thinking about II just
as ! raw you coming down the street
! fcli Ia my bones that you were com
INK hero. and | said 20 myself. Now
can tell Anne. beoaufe she is one
person who can kscp what's told her "
Anne smiled. stole rlanos al herself
Ina The inantel mirror. tilted her hat az
the right angle aud murmurcd Yes.
Apnc's share In many conversations
was cpufcy monoayllahic.
Mrs. Bishy deived with nervous
movements into her work-hag. aud pro-
duccd a piccc OF haif-hniahcd Baton
berg lace. "A centcrpicce Tor the
square table" she explained. holding
1t up With visible pride. Isn't II beau
iiiul. Anpcg"
very returned Anne, her eyes
wandering over ,he room with ite su-
per abundance OF naitenherr4- as edg.
inr 10 the cutiainp. ma "throwa" on
tho hncht of chairs. round rsntcr-
piece on The round table and dniniy
dolics wherever an excuse for dolly
existed
"of course. Mrs. Bixby changed
the subject with disconcertinr rapldity
- haven't mentioned this 10 a soul.
because don't want to prejudice any
one against lsmma. but for my part
| don't eee how even an Easley could |
have the face TO indulge In such broad |
hints. even IN hopes of getting a hand |
some wedding present"
why. Mrs. Bixhyl' exclaimed Anne
Her gloves dropped to her lap and her |
hat slid away from the right angle un-
roiiccd Why"
Mrs. hixhy cut In swiftly. well.
Anne, that's exactly what she didl She
stayed here half an hour, and talked
40 much ! couldn't crowd "A word In
cdeewisc. and " was an perfectly OMEN
hints Tor that Bnttonbcrg mantel
throw as a wedding present.
Mrs. nixhy pointed In growing indig-
nation M The Battcnhcrg creation be-
meath the mirror. Then she bit on
thread as sharply as q Il were connect.
cd with the odious hints, and contin-
ued. The very ideal Thai piece is
worth twenty dollars II it's worth a
cent. and II Emma rasley thinks she'll
get twenty dollar present from me
shoN mistaken-cspccialiy when -. as
much as asked for itl"
Anne's eyes were Wide open and
Anne's expression was one of aston
shmcat. tingrd with amusement which
mrs. btNhy thought very unbecoming
aud uncailed for.
How Anne began, but she was
not allowed 20 finish.
How do know Mrs. Bixby's man
ner was shade colder as she took the
words from Annee hp.. well Anne
II doesn't take me ions TO pat two ans,
two together, especially with an Fsse-
ley. | did hope that their graspins.
s,ingy streak was lett out OF Ernna.
bat see IT'S as broad in her rs in
her grandfather"
Why. II SeemsS-" Anne laaran. douh.
ling up hex gloves In AN embarrassed
fashion.
Mrs. Mxhy threw back her head and
raised her voice. "Of course | know
DO the best work on Rar,enherg in
town. and I'm used TO having callers
notice tho pieces. but I'm not so stupid
as to mistake hints for genuine admir-
alton. and | never 30, $40 many hints
ss Emma gave me Tuesday. shall
never think the same OF her again"
But. Mrs. nixby--" Anne was an
noyingly insis,ent for Anne
Mrs. bixhy was obliged TO raise
her voice half tone higher and speak
more rapidly:
Yes. she limited She looked all
my pieces over. and finally settled on
The man,el throw. She dragged that
young man of hers UP 10 look At Il
-nd admire X. though | mast say hk
had the sensn to look embarrassed
she asked him II he didn't want bsr
tn do Hns sfspf f,~,rS f.,~ sk..xS