Smyrna times., 1910-02-16

THAT Gordon Mcfarland" remarked
Davy Mouton. lis the limit. He hasn't
courage enough to propose"
Huh. DO you want to marry him
that you are so anxious about itY'
NO; / haven't cherry lips and dim.
ples"-
Never mind the inventory. Brother
Davy." she replied.
"All right. sis, but it'll never happen
unless you propose. In the presence
of his divinity-meaning you-he is re-
duced to a pulp"
The sting to this teasing was in its
truth. Gordon was devotion itself, yet
it was a silent alteration He seemed
unable to utter a word in her presence
She had given him many opportunities
in that unexplainable way a woman
has. and once or twice he had floun-
dered and StammeTed with effort until
In vexation she had retOrted so whim-
Sically that she had silenced him COM
| pletely.
"Oh, he's just too ridiculous, a great
big thing like him. stammering and
| blusbing like a schoolboy. 1t fairly
makes me ashamed" she grumbled.
| woman's motives are difficult to
fathOm. Bess. in an unusual fit of
| graciOuSness. had allowed Gordon to
escort her TO ball. She was Justly
vain of her escorts appearance as she
Snuggled beside him in the depths of
the carriage. But by the time they
had arrived her manner had changed
visibly. so much so that she almost
ignored him after the conventional
first dance. He had tangled his feet
hopelessly in her train and missed
step until she was nearly beside her.
self with modification.
There was ample excuse for his be-
wilderment. She was intoxicatingly
lovely, with her draperies floating,
clOudlike. about her Eare shoulders.
and the flush of exercise tinting her
face like a rose. Davy's comment was,
Gordon looks as if he would like to
eat her.
Bess was so provoked at this that
she intended TO punish Gordon by
flirting outrageOusly. Besides. if
could make him cross. he might pluck
up a fraction of courage" she thought.
1t vexed her still more because she
felt that he understood her motive So
did Davy. and he would not fail to
tease her on the morrow.
Carelessly tossing Gordon her bOu-
quet in passing. she walked off with
Gerald Stone for an ice.
Queer duck. that Gordon. Doesn't t
appear to have much to say" remark
ed Gerald insinuatingly.
Here the eternal feminine came to
the surface ''Oh. | don't known
Her tone was resentful in the ex-
treme The next instant she said
swretly. Here's just the nook for a
quiet chat Let us sit here awhile.
The ice can wait; so can Gordon.
He'd hold my bouquet all night"
laughingly.
An hour later Gordon sat abstract
pdly pulling at tae petals of the roses
lie had hoped that the flowers might
ron.ry To her Thai which lie found Sc
,iincut Iu SLY.
In upon his musing dribbled the con
versaIion If two acquaintances.
| ~ NHfltl fNAA5iAf udN MOl AlNSSAS
MOuton: Thought Gordon was to bt
the man. hut he lacked courage. II,
deserves to lose her. he should know
woman dpSpiSes a faint heart" saiC
a voice he knew.
- wonder how she would like it i
.she knew that Gerald boasted to me o.
his conquest? He told as a great jOkt
that she had left Gordon TO moon owe
her bouquet. Said they were going t.
slip away and let him hunt for he
when he had tired of the flowers
Seemed to think it mighty funny" an
swered the speakers companion.
Its contemplate. | wouldn't hav'
thought it of Bessie MOultonr' was tn
reply as they sauntered down the room
The sturdy independence of Gordon
Scotch ancestry rose within him. a
attached his card to the flowers ant
left them in the cloakrOom: then. wit
a determined step. he left the house.
Bess IoItered in her frivolous cha
with the man she detested. dawdle'
over her ice ard finally sauntered bacl
to the dancing hall. apparently oblivi
GUS to the fact that she had PROMISE
this twostep to Gordon. She expects
him to be waiting for her. When b
was not to be seen she was perturbei
Il "Come on. let's take this twostep.
said Gerald, with great familiarity.
"No, thanks" hotly reSenting hi
tone. "You have had more than enoug
of my company for one evening"" sh
added lightly lest she betray her al
noyance as to Gordon.
An hour or so later she called Gel
aid to her side. II claim a woman
prerogative-I have changed my minC
u You may take me home"
5 AS he bowed his thanks he though
of his boast to Van Asyltine an
smiled. 'I suspect it was he who ia
tied"
= Bess kept up a running fire Of moi
sense all the way home, erectually e.
cluding sentiment.
a r~-ao,. .-oskad a., tho ahad0W Of IN