The daily tribune., 1908-05-11

"Were Thev?v she was coming
and he half start
ed up as If to escape. When he found
1t was nothing he got out his handker-
chief and dabbed his forehead. Then
he changed to the divan. Still, she
might think he expected her to come
and sit there beside him If she found
him there. That, while delightful,
would be too confusing: so he hastily
changed back to the oak chair and
started a tremulous whistle before he
remembered himself and coughed.
When Alice did come down she
walked into the room 80 casually and
naturally that 1t was almost a shock
to him until he recalled that OF course
she was not aware that this evening
was set apart from all others because
of what he had resolved to say.
Those roses you sent to-day were
Just beautiful. Chauncey," she said,
blithely. Thank you so much!"
Were they?' Smelling asked, gut
turally.
The pretty girl In the pale blue
dress glanced at him In concern. My
goodness" she cried. you aren't go
Ing to have pneumonia or anything,
are you? Your voice is dreadfully
hoarse! Does your head ache?"
That was Alice-always instantly
sympathetic, There was an opening
here and Smelling darkly groped
for It.
Give me your sympathy for life
a.
| coughed again and spoke distinctly
Il haven't "A ghost Of cold" he told
her hurriedly. Isis your mother
quite well?"
The pretty girl frankly stared
why. OF course" she said. Mother
always is well. What put that into
| your head?"
"oh. l don't know" Smelling an.
! swered miserably
Shall | phone for Grace and Tom
so we can play bridge?" she asked
| him.
Smelling turned about In alarm
"Oh. my, MOI" he exploded
Il believe your head does ache and
| you won't own up to IT," said the pret
ty girl. Il thought you liked Grace
| and Tom"
"oh. | dot protested the young
man. II am very fond of them. very
fond" he ended emphatically. He
wiped his forehead as he spoke.
Your voice didn't sound fond" re-
| proved the young woman. Il thought
| 1t would amuse you. You-you act
kind OF bored tonight"
Here was another opening-"more
important things to consider'-"mind
wholly wrapped up In you'-"what Is
bridge to llfe's happiness?" Then
he managed to say that while his head
didn't ache he did not feel very well.
How do you like my new dress7"
the young woman started In again
IT'S beautiful" said Smelling deep.
| ly 1t looks lovely on you. ! don't
know that 1t looks better than your
other one-I mean all your other ones,
OF course. In fact, the one before
this one-I mean the pink one-was
Just AS pretty-although OF course per
haps this is prettier. like you best
In blue-unless 1t is pink"
The young woman looked frankly
concerned. "Chauncey.' she said. Il
Just know you feel dreadfully and are
coming down with the grip or some.
thing, You 40 right home and drink
something hot and 30 TO bed"
Il believe you are right" said Smell.
ing with CHASTITY cheerfulness. His
hand reached toward his hat but his
knees refused TO bend TO allow him to
,lse. Systematically he got to his
feet Il do feel queer" he confessed.
Il wonder what allied Cbauncey to.
night?' she murmured. 'Hc seemed
10 have something on his mind"
Once settled In the street car.
smelling felt calnness and poise re.
turning TO him. As ho glsrcd into tho
street lights his lips moved sayagely
In one emphatic word directed at him
' self-ChiCaRo Daily Nova