The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-15

his Jaw newly shaver. his hands I'M
SCARED and cle9n. Antonina. recognizing
these points Of superiority was gratihed.
The girl was lonely and Kalixta had
the knack Of cheerful talk. Insensibly
she grew 10 feel at ease with him; they
laughed and spoke of many matters like
old comrades. An hour or two had passed
when Oracle appeared from above stairs
20 ,hge the shopping party to their duty.
Oracle had a sharp tongue ana did not
hesitate 10 use IL when worldly affairs
moved too slowly Her sarcasms concern
ing lazincss. Irritation. wedding raiment.
giggllng brides, and chattering husbands
quite broke the peace for moment Only
when the pair had walked the length OF
the street and reached the car line was
cheerfuIness renewed. K0lixta saw that
AntOnina's face was flushed, her hrows
bent. lashes wet.
Everybody knows Oracle. After a lit
tie while YOU viii be used TO the country.
You won't mind her then"
Il would rather work than marry,
sighed the girl.
But YOU are old enough 70 be married.
and JOSzcf says YOU shall Also you are
too pretty not to-"
Antonina turned her face away, draw
ing the shawl tighter across her chin.
~"
You naturally. And you ore just the
wife for me. girl ! never know what
you will say next
The averted head turned toward him.
Antonina was smiling once more In
voluntarily she slackened her pace. and
all the little arts of eye and gesture mar
shaded themselves for use upon this can
didate. The concession was as real as II
was unconscious. for Antonina's heaven
given talents certainly lay MAYNARD.
Central Square in the county town Of
Lynton is the busiest part OF the shop
ping district. Kalixta walked slowly. an
swering all her questions; Antonina gazed
and Eazed serenely. Her mood had
changed; resignation was fast merging
into cheerfulness. For. after all, new in
teTests and a change OF scene lift the
burdens from youths shoulders.
Kalixta shrewdly took the simpler pur-
chases first The shoes were bought. then
stockings. then a hat OF delirious beauty
and colof The pair were I'm their ninth
shop. and on the point of ordering the
wedding veil from an assortment OF net
piled upon the counter. when q tribe dis
turbed their gayety. Suddenly she turned
upon him. though still In jest
'haliNta, you are good company. a
jolly fellow. Go or and never see me
again. and I shall think the world of YOU
And If YOU had wanted 20 marry some
other girl l should love YOU dearly. How
stupid Of YOU 20 marry me"'
The man stared at her. drawing a hard
breath His eyes fell. under his mus
tache his lips drew thin.
80 that is IT." famed the bride You
do, There is one, SO, So Where IS
she. Kalixta? Tell me, tell me. III kill
her. I'll tear her~tongue out. the little
snail"
At this amazing show OF temper Kalixta
recovered his wits. He pulled himself
together and forced a smile
Nonsense. It Is nothing. nothing at
all That is IL was very long ago. It
comes 10 nothing. I had forgotten it,"
Forgotten? Let me get at her. though.
and she would not forget / can tell you.
Oh. I hate you; hate YOU, Go hunt I'D
your girl. Buy your wells for her. I won't
wear them"
Nalixta turned 10 the woman behind the
counter. I'll take your yards" he said,
and laid down a greenback
Antonina understood the action. II not
the words She sprang forward. snatch
ms at the money. but struck KaIixta's
arm instead.
Not for me! You need not buy Il FOR
nc.' she almost walled
1T is cut already. And II is for you 10
wear. for no one else. l have told the
ruth about the other one She preferred
< richer man; he has two stores and a
saloon. and his brother is OF the police
She I'D not like me. Sc that was all
You are prettier than she was, Antonlna.
nave not seen her since Easter, and I
shall not think about her unless you keep
alkinB about IT,"
AntOnina threw the fringed ends Of her
shawl over her eyes ana moaned:
u wish ! had died on the ship I wish
here was no America. And I wish things
would go nicely. since I have 20 be alive.
Oh, l had better become a nun"
"A nun with a marriage license: a very
ine Idea. though # comes late. Well, we
must choose the cloth for your nuns
lress: the dreSsmaker Is hired FOR to-
morrow. and she can make that as we'll
ls anything
There followed a wearisome and pro
onged journey through the shops: some
lines Antonina liked everything. Kallxta
nothing: again the reverse was true.
7inally they narrowed down 10 a lemon
iilk and wolfe Of palest blue Either would
ierve, and both materials were most ele-
CANT The Quest came at once to a choice
between these fabrics.
The yellow is n silk one, to be sure.
still"
The blue is wider, Kalixta-"
"Oh. II YOU want the yellow, say So"
But what do you think?"
Myself I like blue for a color.
80 you said this morning. Tell me now
would you have bought her a blue
lress?"
Bought whom a dress?"
Her. Your girl. l mean. Quick, tell
ner'
How do I Enow?" cried the poor fel-
ow. pushed to the wall. How do A
know? Who ever heard Of such ques-1
ions? The girl chooses and the man
bays: that Is the custom. and that Is all
know about 1t. Blue or pink. how do 1
know? Green, red. yellow, and black,
md the old devil take them ALI"
Then why did you want me TO take
he Yellow" she persisted
Il didn't. l thought-but it's no mat
er. either only, the blue Is the color
II your eyes"
The girl stood silent, considering the
,olts Of cloth before her Her hands
rembled slightly as she touched a fold
,r two. Secretly. her soul coveted a silk
lress OF whatever color or pretenslons;
,ut a man. especially in this new, un-
everent America, could not be expected
o understand that She sighed, but her
hoice was made
"Ealixta."
"Weu?''
81 take the blue. It IS the prettiest
olor"
ooh. very good! I am glad you are
uited, girl. Shall tell the woman 70
ut it?"
Yes; tell her. And. Kallxta?"
UCneaf- A.