The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-03-31


to do Just what you say. It's a touch
OF their feminine timidity that causes
them to do'it. OF course, as a matter
Of fact, they don't need to make any
explanation, one way or the other,
when they introduce a chance ac-
quaintance,
"rm glad to see we agree so thor
oughly," said the man. Cotton
turned, for he did not like the tone.
1.-THE flirtl" Cotton muttered, and
dropped a book from the desk with
loud noise
It had the desired effect, for the
man Strengthened up. His cigar was
burned out, and he remarked to the
girl:
"If you'll excuse me, I'll get fresh
cigar. know the kind l want, but
I've forgotten the name, so l cannot
order from the waiter. You don't
mind being alone a minute, do your"
Certainly not" she said.
81 shouldn't think she would"
thought Cotton, as he watched her
companion go out of the room.
Five, ten minutes, passed, and he
did not return. Cotton stole a look
at the girl. She was sitting alone at
the table, looking about her nervous
~, for the room was now filled al
most entirely with thirsty men. Fiji
teen minutes passed, and two large
specimens of the West entered, port
ly and red faced as the indirect result
Of fortunate mining speculations.
They approached her table, the only
one with vacant chairs. Her ner-
yousness increased. She looked en-
and very lonely, Should he
or should he not? Cotton debated.
Wasn't the game worth the candle,
any way-or rather the snuffer?
Just then she glanced at him again.
The Westerners were almost there.
He decided.
pardon me- he said, "but when a
girl is forced to wait alone in a place
where it is not wholly pleasant to be
an escort"
you have good ears" she inter-
rupted, coolly.
Then you acknowledge that they
have not deceived me-" he replied,
sitting down, for the Westerners had
turned away.
"They have not" the girl said, "but
the conversation you took the liberty
Of overhearing, like the chair you are
sitting in, was not meant for you"
True" returned Cotton, NOR was
the chair reserved for those broad,
departing backs from Colorado, If l
mistake not"
Thank you for that" said the
girl, softening a bit. IL should thank
you for that. But you have done your
duty now-they have gone"
"Oh, no, my duty is not done
they may returnl" said Cotton.
But so may my escort" the girl
said hurriedly.
A touch of feminine timidity.'
Cotton smiled. And you know you
two agree so WELL" he added, mock
ingly.
The girl acknowledged the touch
by shifting ground
But I haven't time to find out IL
you are presentable, she said.
MY ancestors came over in the
Cotton answered meekly.
"Oh, everybody's did ,hat!" said
she.
your point" laughed Cotton.
But my name is Standish, That
should pass me-"
81 can hardly believe you," the
girl retorted. "You would never need
a John Alden"
Then they both laughed. And from
a mutual laugh there is no return.
Presently the student came back,
and started to ask pardon for his
delay. The girl interrupted.
Let me introduce to you she
said, pausing to watch Colton's face,
" my friend, Mr.. Standish, whom I met
last summer in the White Mountains.
Isn't it too bad that he's got to run
right away to make a horrid call?
Mr.. Addington, Mr.. Standish."
Cotton braced to the shock, and
said blandly:
81 am delighted to meet you, Mr..
Arlington. wish you had been with
us last summer at the Crawford
House."
"The Crawford House." exclaimed
Addington. 81 thought Miss Bates
always went to Bethlehem"
Cotton backed off and gathered up
his letter.
Perhaps it was Bethlehem" he
said, looking straight into the girls
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