Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-10-26

& Observation-Disclosures RssHAA&sasRAaasSsssSS
Frederic King met bis friend at the
door and relieved that perspiring part
ner Of his heavy suit cases.
Poor Porty" he soothed whimsical
ly. Il marked you from the window
and saw that the usual thing allied you
send you to work on a case, and you
return with girl writ large on your
plump, fair countenance Was It so
bad as all that? | know what she did
70 you. for you're easy. poor boy. but
who was she this timeY He pushed
forward the biggest chair and thrust
a cigar between Porter's willing teeth
The two men smoked.
Never mind. son; you always re-
cover. Some worthy tobacco, a little
time and another girl. and history will
repeat itself. How about the caseY
Dispositions all straight and fine;
good stuff" Porter answered briefly as
he wistfuly scrutinized his partners
fine. high bred face "Confound you
and your commiseratiOn. King! | need
the commiseration, however; that's
sure. But just live 10 see you meet
your Waterloo. You're vulnerable
somewhere. And you have not met
Rose Law yet. Fate is bringing her
here tomorrow to spend the summer
with her aunt. Mrs Morton. OBJ
serve your finish. It's been due you
these three years"
mo. not till | have something better
than pumpkin shell TO keep the lady
in. Porty. Dismiss me But tell me
what she's like. I'll have to hear your
rawlings sooner or later. | see she did
a thorough job with you. Proceed"
Porter nodded an affirmation. He
launched into his subject with a whole
heart. The lady's list of charms and
their effect was long. King was pa
tient. Finally. as all things have an
end, Porter paused for breath, which
he needed, being short and fat.
"Is that all? Finish at this sitting.
I'm not always complacent with the
maunderings of a lunatic. What else?
l can't think of another single charm
myself"
Two more. She's rolling in dollars
her grandmother's. Aud-Pm no dog
in the manger-any one could see she
is just the girl for you. little and fair
and
shut up, Portyv' he commanded in
elegantly Il hate that sort of thing
even from you. I'm not in the market.
And. you know. I'd hang myself be-
fore I'd destroy my self respect by
marrying a rich girl. THE dollars Ia
themselves put her out of my class;
that's all"
But it was not all, for Rose Law
| came, was seen and conquered. Porty
had not exaggerated. And Frederic
King, with the quick knowledge OF
the man who has not desensitized his
heart by constant exposure, knew his
queen at sight. The Waterloo had
come.
That summer silent battle was
fought. Choosing the discretionary
part Of valor, King carefully treated
Rose Law. accustomed to alteration,
as he did every womGn-with gay,
perfect, impersonal courtesy Ii was
hard. especially as society. ike nature,
knows a pair when she sees IT, She
was always his partHer st dinners and
| dances, at picnics and frolics, till ia
| sheer self defense he began to devote
| himself to little Saliie Grey, who had
always openly aouted him Then this
refuge was taken from h5m-a dash,
too warm, in the chiId's eyes babe him
protect her from herself.
Rising to his lead. Rose played a per-
feet support. Thea she became lead
ing lady in his ewa Stag Of friendly
Indifference. They were fricSds. while
the world wondered. foc to wsssea like
Rose men are lovers Grst. Afterward
they choose betweea Friendship and
the outer darkness. The girls vanity
was hurt, her pride wsuNded She
was first amazed. thea aRgCy. Thea
! her heart was touched. she began to
suffer Real love aeTer plays with its
object. Her skin deserted her She
| became silent. sensitive thlag. TegiS-
tering each day some aeW impression
of Frederic Kings tiRe face and voice,
his little tricks of Haind ana body, his
strength and ability, his iOyalbieuess
She became very nAisersSie. waking
at night 10 see Ro gsod. no charna. ia
herself. to suffP~ what sac bad Rade
others safer. she had act kaews that
love awakened ana 'deniea really harris
She regretted her clueities aua secnme
so unWOntedly seaae that before she
knew it she had three mSre hearts 'ald
at her small feet. Sac woadered what
others saw In her wheA sac was po "
erless to draw the eae.
AS for King. the theWght OF the siEl
gave him 30 peace. he tried vanity to
eight her ont of his consciousness. He
did not know chat she cared for him.
but he had an Overwhelming impulse
to ask her if she cOuld ana wOuid care
every time he came before her. lie