The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-01-05
APANTOMIME
By HAZEL D. Ro5sER
lcopyrIght. by Ford Pub. cO.l
By HAZEL D. RossER

- tOOh oi utbptidllOn thItlt ONCI lut
pretty face OF the girl in pink. Why
on earth had she let that young scamp
Jim 90 of in search Of flowers which
she had not the faintest desire to
have? The boat with the dark man
and the oyer-dressed woman in 1t was
drawing nearer every moment
The girl In pink stole final glance
at the clearcut profile Of the man
leaning against the rallings. He was
certainly a gentleman. and he looked
very safe somehow. in spite of that
very firm chin Of his. With quick de-
termination she rose from her seat
and walked straight towards him, and
so Il came about that Jack Henson
was suddenly greeted In a clear voice
by girl who was undeniably pretty,
but who was, at the same time, equal
ly undeniably total stranger to
him.
How do you do. Mr.. Brown" Then,
in quick, low tones: "Ohl do please
pretend that you know me, and I'll
explain why in another minute"
Turning round. he met the entreat-
ing glance OF pair OF the loveliest
eyes he thought he had ever seen.
Though he could not for the life Of
him help looking surprised. he raised
his hat politely. for there was no mis-.
taking the fact that ihe girl was
lady unusual though her behavior
might be for the moment.
Certainly" he said. courteously.
How do you do? | had no idea l
should see you here today" he added,
as brilliant afterthought.
little smile lightened her eyes
at his words, but II died away almost
Immediately.
1T Is so kind OF you" she said, her
face flushing, "and l only want you TO
do little thing for me-just to talk
to me for two or three minutes. My
young cousin is with me. but he has
just gone for some flowers. and | have
particular reason for not wishing
TO be alone for the next few minutes.
Can you-do you see that boat com
ing along now? There, that one close
to the bank, just behind the one with
the red sunshade. and beside the
canoe with a girl in It,"
What, the one with the swarthy
chap and the-er-an actress. isn't
she7 Looks like Mamie Clarendon Of
the Corval You don't mean that one.
do your"
Yes, said the girl in a low voice.
Henson looked at her keenly for a
moment She had gone rather pale
and her breath came quickly. She
caught bis glance and flushed again.
II particularly wish to appear in
terested and-and entertained when
that boat passes" she said. rather
breathlessly.
She laughed at him like a child.
and he wondered more than ever what
Il was all about The fellow must
have Tilted her. Yes; that was it,
The brutel But who on earth would
throw over the lovely creature at his /
side for that abomination in paint and
powder? II was too puzzling altogeth. I
er As the boat came nearer he gave
aHuueu exclamation
'islesworth. by Jove!"
The girl in pink gave a little start. /
DO You know him." she asked.
breathlessly. look almost of fear in
her dark eyes.
Know him? Well, only casually.
To tell the truth, | met the fellow
some years ago. and | didn't care
much about him. I'm sorry | said
that though if he's friend Of yours
OH he's not friend" she said
so decidedly that once again he won.
dered what it all meant.
That fellows a cad. anyway he
said to himself. And she didn't seem
to mind what | said
And what did you think OF his
companion she asked, after a min.
ute's silence. Henson shrugged his
shoulders without replying.
Common, isn't she?" persisted the
girl with little sneer. which sounded
odd in her soft voice.
Worse than that" said Henson
Neh 9Oh HOHehtiY Indt q
man who will be seen in broad dav.
light with creature like Mamie Clar-
andon-well, he isn't fit to speak to a
decent woman, that's ALL"
He stopped and stared out across
he river The girl in pink did not
'eply, but her sunshade had slipped
iown between whether acci.
ientally or on purpose he could not
for the moment he could
lot see her face. Could this child ever
iaye been engaged to a beast like
Here they comet! he said quickly
Now for our little play!"
When he looked at the girl BY his !
ide he was surprised at the change :
hat had come over her. Her whole
ace had lighted up. and her manner
expressed the most vivid animation. !
{ was either some emotion which he
ould not fathom, or else the most y
marvellous piece of acting, and some.
ow he could not believe that she was
My acting a part With glance of
voluntary admiration ~ 1.s