Smyrna times., 1909-01-06

talk"
But, Aunt Clara" vehemently,
"they gossip so at the hotel"
"This isn't gossip. I've known it
for a long time, Margaret"
"Oh"-the sigh was almost a sob
'he has always seemed such a gentle
man."
HE has the training of One," Mrs.
Kent affirmed. His mother is charm
ing"
After a moments silence Margaret |
broke out, But he saved my life, |
Aunt Clara"
There was a rustic of skirts as Mrs.
Kent moved impatiently in her chair.
"Yes, and that's the worst of it."
Mrs. Kent ended the longer silence
that followed by ringing for lights.
mo, no." Margaret protested. Il
like it better with just the fire"
"But must go, dear, and dress for
dinner, and you will be so dreary
alone in the dark"
AS she rose and stood by the couch
her caressing fingers touched Marga-
rets cheek and found tears on it.
You'd better have the lights" she
said. and there was a worried note
in her voice. 81 hate to leave you
here alcne"
"Oh, shall be all right" Margaret
said "Ill lie here in the dark and
pet Toodlcllins."
Still protesting, Mrs. Kent found
Of IN
big room there came the sound of a
stifcd sob. and another and another
and after that everything was very
quiet. The fame of the fre died
| down The green eyes of the little
cat. snugglcd close to her mistress,
! gloved in the blackness.
The click of an electric button and
the fare-up of lights brought Marga-
ret's head cut Of the cushion whore
she had buried it. She shielded her
face with her hand.
"YCu are carly. Uncle Dick"
I'm late What's the matter with
the lights? Why didn't you get some
body to lcoll after them?"
Il like the dark
NsNtti ltSlCs liz saw hNA a hNNI
glance ard sat down in the chair by
the couch. "How's the foot?'
''It hurts a little. but It's going to be
all right"
Everybody at the club is talking
about your accident. They are making
a regular hero of Ridgeway." He set
tied himself back in the big chair and
smiled at her genially. 'He must have
had the strength of a Hercules to hold
those horses back
Hes awfully strong" Margaret
said and sat up. His college record
in athletics is fine"
"He flunked in some of his studies
though" Mr.. Kent teased.
Margarets face famed, 81 know
She smoOthed the little cat with nerv
Gus fingers. Isis he very i'll, Uncl
Dick?'
"Who-Ridgeway Um-well, tina
depends. He's a mighty nice fellow
Peggy" He caught the eagerness o
: her eyes and pulled himself up "Tha
is-oh. well, your Aunt Clara wouldn'
exactly approve of him, and-and-
don't know that he's just the frien,
for you, Margaret"
"Ohw came in fluttering protest, an
after that Margaret lay with her eye
closed, and nothing was said for seN
eral minutes.
!. Tired, little girl?' asked her uncl
finally, and when she nodded he stoo
up.
l. Il must go and dress for dinner
He hesitated by the couch lOokin
down at her until she opened her eye
II and held out her hand and said, "Dea
n Uncle Dick,' and then he patted h'
cheek and said little huskily, "Che'
up"
This time there was no friend
darkness to bide the tears, so Marg
ret dabbed OF them with her handke
chief and stared until a ring of Il
. front door bell brought her to an u
rA' right position.
"It's. Mr.. Ridgeway." the maid a
nOunced.
. "Pm afraid can't see himr' Marg
ret said nervously.
Please" boOmed a big voice fro
the hall-''please don't turn me out ii
that"
"Oh. WELL" Margaret agreed, and t
maids place between the curtains W
usurped by young man as big as
voice. who came over and picked
the pussy cat and dropped a SIN
square box in its place. IF you'll
me pet Toodlekins I'll let you Ia
some flowers" he said, and as he {
down the little cat curled into the h
low Of his arm and sang her song
contentment, unruffied by the chang
There were white violets in the b
and Ridgeway said. his big voice S
tened by some fine emotion. ''They
ways make me think Of you"
ooh. don't don'tw Margaret s
with quick caught breath, and Rid
way stared at her in a puzzled way.
and "Don't you like tbemT' he asked.
and sYes."
~ "Well. it's a funny way to show
'os- There was so much of the boy In
4hot NTorOarnf smiled I'm cpffa of I