Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1910-10-14

80 ~ OOSIllCSS
She walked rapidly. in her excite
ment, turning h troubling question
over in her mind. h did not realize
how far h had gone until some girl
she knew, passing and nodding to her,
called her out of her reverie. She
was almost in front of the University
club. A few blocks more and she
would be in the shopping district. She
hesitated, then decided that it would
De better to walk a little further and
take a crOss-town car.
A group of men was leaving the
club. Two fingered on the steps. the
other coming quickly out. At sight of
MN, she averted her face, and, hurry
ing, turned the corner and walked
down a block. Her heart was beating
rapidly. What if he had seer her,
She looked about-there was no cab
in sight-the best thing to do was to
slip into n of the crowded shops,
full OF women, and wait until the dan
ger had passed. Once inside the
door OF the nearest, she felt herself,
with relief, only one of a horde of
pricers, lockers and buyers. She felt
as if she had lost her identity. She
went to the nearest counter and asked
for wells. Partly concealed behind
the bulk Of the woman next her, she
Kept her eye on the door. She saw
Kerr come in. How absurd to think
that she could escape him! She turned
her back n waited a moment or
two, still hoping he might pass her
by. Then she heard his voice be-
hin her:
We'll, this is Iuck!"
h was conscious of giving him a
limp land. He sat down on the vacant
stool next her, laughing.
You are a most remarkably fast
walker" he observed.
Il had to buy a veil" Flora muir
INJURED.
Has it taken you all the morn
ing?"
She could see she a not fooled
him.
Il had a great many other things
to do" She was resolved not to ad-
nit anything.
M doubt, but I wanted to see you
very much last night, and again his
morning, I may see you this even
ing, ~perhaps?" He was grave now.
She saw that he awaited her answer
in anxiety.
"But-" she hesitated just a mo-
ment too long before she added, Tn
going out this evening""
She started nervously to rise.
Wait" he said in a voice that was
audible to the shop-girl, your pack
age has lot come"
She looked at him heIplessly, so at
tractive and so inimical to her. He
swung around, back to the counter,
and lowered his voice. Did you know
I called upon you yesterday morning,
also?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Mr. Cressy and I waited for you Co
gether. Did he mention it to your"
NO" Her lips let the word out
slowly.
That's a reticent friend of yours!"
The exclamation, and the truth of it,
put her on her guard.
81 can't discuss him with you," she
aid coldly.
"Yet no doubt you have discussed
me with him?"
"Never!"
"You haven't told him anything?"
The in~credulity, the amazement of his
lace put D6lOI6 Her, lOI Iu0 uISI IlL10,
how extraordinary her conduct must
seem. What could he think of her?
What construction would he put upon
it? She b!ushed, neck to forehead,
and her voice was scarcely audible as
she answered No"
But at that small word his whole mood
warmed to her. why, then" he be-
gan eagerly, eff Cressy doesn't
know
"Oh, but he" Flora stopped in ter
ror of herself. 81 can't talk of him,
I must not. Don't ask me-" she i'm
plOred, land please, please don't come
to my house again!"
He gave his head a puzzled, i'm
patient shake. Then where am I to
see you?"
"In a few days-perhaps tomorrow
I will let you know" She rose. She
had her package now. She was get
ting back her courage. There was no
further way of keeping her.
But he followed her closely through
the crowd to the door. Yes" he said
quickly under his breath, lin a few
days, perhaps tomorrow, as soon as
you get rid of it, you won't mind meet
ing me! What are you afraid Of?
Surely not of me?"
She was, but notify denied it.
Il am not afraid of you I am
afraid of them"
"Of them!"> He peered at her.
What are you talking about now?"
All, she had said too much! She
LIT her lip. They had reached the
corner. and the gliding cable car was
approaching. She turned to him with
a last appeal.
Don't ask me anything! Don't
come with me! Don't follow mel"
Not until she was safely inside the
car did she dare look back at him.