Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-02-18

a. '''r
But, Aunt Clara" yehemently,
"they gossip so at the hotel"
"Thls isn't gossip. I've known It
for long time, Margaret"
"Oh"-the sigh was almost Sob
"he has always seemed such 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.
.Wnt 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 81
like it better with just the fire"
But l 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 Nfarga-
rets cheek and found tears on 1t.
YOU'D better have the lights" she
said, and there was a worried note
in her voice II hate to leave you
here alone9'
ooh, l shall be all right" Margaret
said "I'll lie here in the dark and
pet ToodIekins."
Still protesting, Mrs. Kent found
her way out and after a time in the
big room there came the sound Of
stified sob, and another and another,
and after that everything was very
quiet. The flame of the fire died
down. The green eyes of the little
cat, Struggled close to her mistress,
glowed in the blackness.
The click Of an electric button and
the dare-up Of lights brought Marga-
ret's head out Of the cushion where
she had buried It. She shielded her
face with her hand.
"You are early. Uncle Dick"
'T'm late. What's the matter with
the lights7 Why didn't you get some
body to look after them~
II like the dark"
"Queer taste" He gave her a keen
glance and sat down In the chair by
the couch. "How's the footY
ut hurts a little, but It's going to be
all right"
Everybody at the club is talking
abb your accident. They are making
a regular hero of Ridgeway." He set
tied himself back in the big chair and
smiled at her geniany. ''He must have
had the strength Of a Hercules to hold
those horses back"
"He's awfuly strong" Margaret
said and sat up. His college record
In athletics is fine"
"He fiunked In some of his studies,
though Mr.. Kent teased.
Margaret's face famed, II know"
She smoothed the little cat with nerv-
Gus fingers. Isis he very Ill, Uncle
Dick?'
who idgeway? Um-well. that
depends. He's a mighty nice fellow,
Peggy" He caught the eagerness Of
her eyes and pulled himself up. THAT
is--oh, well, your Aunt Clara wouldn't
exactly approve of him, and-and-I
don't know that he's just the friend
for you. Margaret"
"Ohw came In fiuttering protest, ana
after that Margaret lay with her eyes
closed, and nothing was said for sew
eral minutes
"Tired, little glrlT asked her uncle
finally, and when she nodded he stood
up.
II must go and dress for dinner"
He hesitated by the couch, looking
down at her until she opened her eyes
and held out her hand and said, Dear
Uncle Dick" and then he patted her
cheek and said little huskily, "Cheer
up"
This time there was no friendly
darkness to hide the tears, so Marga-
ret dabbed at them with her handker-
chief and stared until a ring OF the
front door bell brought her to an up
right position.
TITS Mr.. Ridgeway," the maid an
nounced.
.'Pm afraid I can't see him" Marga-
ret "a nervously.
please" doomed a big voice from
the hall-"please don't turn me out like
that"
ooh, WELL" Margaret agreed, and the
maids place between the curtains was
usurped by young man as big as his
voice, who came over and picked up
the pussy cat and dropped a small
square box ia its place. IF you'll let
me pet TOodlekins III let you have
some flowers" he said, and as he sat
down the little cat curled into the hol-
low Of his arm and sang her song OF
cOntentment, unrufled by the change,
There were white yiolets in the box,
and Ridgeway said, his big voice sof-
tgsed by some fine emotion, "They al
W8ys make me think Of you"
ooh, don't, don'tF Margaret said
with quick caught breath, and Ridge
way stared at her in a puzzled way.
"Don't you Ike shemf he asked.
eyes"
"Well, It's a funny way to show It."