The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-25
ALL FOR THE SAKE OF SOCIAL APPEARANCE
And anybody can play Il

in his voice 'She Is awtully unselfsh."
Eyes, she is" said Afaysie. ''She's
probably asleep now, so I will just leave
a message with the servants TO say I've
gone"
That drive was followed by many 9TH
ers. and had it not been for sundry
pricks Of conscience Maysie's pleasure
, would have been complete. One day. as
they were returning 70 the cottage, the
major said laughingly:
do you know. / heard such an odd
thing from my valet last night: he says
you are alone, and that Mrs. Densmore
Is in town. / believe your mother is
myth, Miss Densmore'
IN. no." said poor Maysie. ! assure
you, she is a very substantial reality.
You do believe ne. don't your"
"Of course. l was only chatting" re-
piled Maj. Hilston. wondering a little at
her agitation. NO one in their senses
would imagine for a moment that a girl
ike you was alone without some chape-
ron"
why nOt2" Maysie flashed out.
The major hesitated.
you are too pretty and too fascinat-
/ ing" ne added in a lower tone
Maysie blushed. and her fingers played
nervously with the long fur Of the rug
across her knees She did not ask her
companion in when they reached Rose
mary and he turned the horses heads
toward the Han with a feeling Of in
tense disappointment He knew that he
was desperately in love with Maysie, and
after much anxious delberation dis
patched the following note.
Dear Miss DensnOP: am anxious N see your
mother OF a matter which is 70 me of the greatest
Importance. WIN you ask her when she VII grant
TOM HLSToN.
When il reached Maysie she stared at
il in great dismay. and then with a
naughty little smile. she dashed of her
reply:
Dear Mai Hikton: Ny mother desires me to say
that she VII be in and pleased to see you at $50
tomorrow. Sincerely, MAYsIE DENSN0RE
Every girl her own. chaperon," said
Maysie as she critically surveyed her re-
Election in the glass. What a mercy
Clarice packed my property box; l
make an excellent replica Of the mater.
She pulled down the gray side curls Of
her wig, adjusted her spectacles. and.
throwing a shawl over her voluminous
black silk dress. descended TO the draw
lnS-fOoENs WHICH was bg uST bIuc4oi
dimly lighted, and seated herself in a
large armchair. Her heart beat fast as
Maj. Hilston was announced and came
toward her.
7 am pleased to meet you at last" she
said in an old, rather quavering voice.
"WiH you come near the f1reT'
Thanks; l think it is always pleasant
after driving" he replied, taking the
chair she indicated, He was evidently
nervous. and after a few commonplace
remarks about the weather, he asked
suddenly: And Miss Densmore, shall
see her to-day?%
my daughter is very busy at present,
but you viii certainly see her this after
noon" the old lady assured him.
prolonged silence followed. which
was broken by the man. who said alb
ruptly:
Mrs. Densmore, I love your daughter"
"Oh. Mai. Histon!' cried Maysie in an
excess of shyness.
"Confound it," reflected the man, "she
is so COY. I hope she's not deaf. and
doesn't think I've fallen a sudden victim
to her charms
Your daughter is the only woman
shall ever care for" he continued. Have
your permission to speak to her? You
L
you will say. are ample"
mo. no. please stop said the old lady
Tom stared at her in amazement 'T
do not quite understand" he remarked
Us Miss DensmOre already engaged? %
mo. she is not and now she never will
be-" said Maysie tearfully. "Oh, what
little fool I've been" she thought, and I
simply dare not tell him"
quite mad" thought her companion
poor little Maysie So that's why she
kept her mother out Of the way"
-'Of course" he replied soothingiy, lit
is most unlikely, but / might perhaps,
mention the subject"
Il really do not see why you should so
sweepingiy say It's most unlikely " was
her indignant and somewhat surprising
rejoinder
Poor soul l wish she would not get
so angry, thought Tom anxiously. Mrs.