The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-27
THEY MET BY
CHANCE
By GEORGE EDGAR


trousers. She-well, she was com
position made up of q big hat. q
blouse. brown boots and fringe.
As they met, they stared fixedly
each ON the other. Without moving q
muscle in any other part Of his face
he winked. opulently.
And they passed, like ships in the
night, card players, postmen and 9th
er things that pass.
He raised his cap-the motor cap
most politely; he bowed, still politely
but not with grace; he sided along
by her side deferentially; and he said
"Ahem!" as II he had a whole shrimp
in his thoat-a live one.
She-she went very red. Also, she
pushed her nose higher in the air and
slightly forward, accidentally acquir-
ing the Boston dip, which made her
still more fascinating.
Some dreadful minutes passed, in
which he grew red and felt all feet.
The silence was intense. Even the
incoming tide forgot to sing. But he
chase is strongly developed.
There was something electric in the
atmosphere. She knew how full of
feet he felt, and she smiled.
That gave him courage and he
swallowed the shrimp.
Didn't see you at Lady Golightly's
dancer" he asked earnestly.
She said. go way, man"
Il knew you belonged to a county
family as soon as l saw you," he ven
tured.
Her nose went further forward, but
she answered never a word.
Must have met you out with the
Notwithstanding" he volunteered
with a grin.
You've got face like a plate" she
answered suddenly apropos of moth
ing.
Anyway, I've got a tongue in it,"
he urged, gently.
She sighed. That's what / dislike
about you-your tongue. You've got
a tongue and can talk-thats where
you have the advantage of the monk
ey."
He flicked his brown leggins with
his cane
She looked at him, critically, coldly,
with a suggestion of contempt. IF
you hadn't had tongue l should have
wondered where you came from. And
should have guessed-the Zoo"
They walked so yards in silence.
He was nearly frozen off, but he
held on-if only to give her just a
piece of his mind of which he really
had not too much to spare.
He thought aloud. Nc" he muir
INJURED; "it wasn't at Lady Golightlys
dance / met you; nor the hunting"
He seemed to be searching his mind.
Il think l know---you came from the
pickle factory, where they make the
sauce"
She looked at him firmly, and was
direct in her frank opinion.
Herbert" she said, you are the
limit"
Il have no limit, not being a book
maker, and my name amt Herbert"
There was tired note in her voice.
Somehow, men with faces like yours
always look as If they were Herberts.
You've got to be, see, and you are the
limit. When it comes to talking of
comes from, I'll just take leave to tell
you I'm a lady, and ! come from no
pickle factory. I'm laundress, if you
must know. And If it comes to a
guessing comes FROM, | can tell
from your face how you happened.
You've not got what one could call a
starting place. You've just simply oc-
curred-sort of nightmare"
Look here, Polly" he began again
Not Polly" she answered CURLY.
Ann, them"
mo, nor Ann, nor Matilda, nor Liz.
zie."
Il know" he said, triumphantly-
Rose
Nor Rose" she replied relenting.
Plain Margaret, that's my name"
Not plain" he suggested-"not
plain. Say-sweet Margaret, lovely
'Aoi . Gu vi, uchT margaret.
You're a rare kidder," she an.
swered.
He smiled and tried to walk like a
soldier.
Look here-I take all that back
about the pickle factory" he began.
No answer
Excepting the sauce" he added.
She tossed her head.
He thought awhile.
You know / knew you came from a
aundry all the time. I knew by rea.
got such pretty white
lands."
DO you think they are pretty?" she
aid, holding one up without reserve.
"Prettiest hand I've ever SEEN" he
aid, and held it for half minute,
boxing pleased.
When you've DONE" she urged |
Want to hold 1t all the evening. I |
o." he said-greatly daring.
SILLY boy" she answered softly.
But it's such a nice hand,"-this,
otter still.