The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-03

become the rage in haywood and the
sophomore class had fallen 20 a man.
Sometimes Ernest's gang got only one
bow from Fay. although the average
for an afternoon was three. One red
letter day the score leaped to FIVE.
All this, be Ii understood. In TO
wise interfered with Phoebe'e serene
belleship. Phoebe was a senior. and
the seniors had long ago graduated
from the parade habit. In more dig
nified wise. they fraternized in agon-
lied whispers in the alcoves of the
big haywood library, or. in case of
the girls. met for tea In each others
houses.
Said Phoebe casually one night:
Mother. I've invited that new girl /
was telling you about-Fay Paxton
to dinner here tomorrow night. Now,
you see that you stay at the table.
Ern, until all get up. 1t viii look
like a fierce snub TO her IL you rush
through your dinner and get out be-
fore anyone else has finished"
Stay at the tablet In his excite
ment Ernest's food all took the wrong
passage. He coughed and choked.
Mrs. Martin. glancing in his direction
a few moments later. found him gaz-
ing into space with the distracted
| look Of those who see visions.
The Martin dinner was served at
half-past six. At half-past five an
Ernest beside whom Solomon in all
his splendor were a mean thing saun-
| tered into the library Phoebe sat
at the desk writing. Mrs. Martin,
her air that of an oStentatious con-
centration, appeared to read. With
no one observing. Ernest gave way
70 the restlessneSs which threatened
| to explode him into inch pieces. He
wanted Fay to come. And yet the ter
ror of meeting her eyes. of having to
talk with heri He looked at the
clock, yawned. walked to the window,
re-<. a. $50 the table, ran through a
inasaNihS; hAc"ted the waste basket
over, oalLeu up the mornings news
paper aAu lhIewE ii at the cat, fiddled
Win the thdHtSi adornments, yawned
ana repeateo tne whole programme.
Ch, S.In, goodness sake, dc
SIT uoWh! hoe be pleaded once.
~ t"eH'y -HNS& minutes past six he
SAD IN tone whose gruffness die
not conceai LIv his mother the ella
tea tremor OF my mouth:
i guess this bust be Miss FaxOr
coming up the Wtreet"
Phoebe brougH& her note TO a finish
with slsuatuI which would have
put John HancSSvk to the blush, ant
From the hall tcer,a tho so,rd ~
Kisses, eNS I i,isI-S3ns, circumstances
ruStitlisS oS-7Sfiky things, tappings o.
glrilsh nsels up the stairs, laughter
degenerating sham elessly to gigglei
and tapering into Eilence. the slam O.
a Aioor, an interNsl of silence m,
lSpening of the DOOR. taps of girlisl
heels descending the Nstairs. the rust
/ lings of silky things, talk that was al
ejaculation and interrlb ption, chokeC
in laughter-then-''M dOther, this Il
my friend, Miss FaxonA" Ern. yol
know Miss Faxon, Of %ourse"-anC
the door of paradise had Nswung wild,
| for Ernest.
After a long time his ewes begar
to focus. He could see FRv nIainJ,
when he looked at her. ButT of cours,
he only looked when she way lookin,
away from him. A white, lAcv bin
that was his impression (nf he
clothes. She had done sometfAine I,
her curls-herded them in long files
But before dinner maverick memaoar
began to wander off on to her fore
head.
Mrs. Martin studied her guest careN
fully. Miss Faxon seemed to twinkle
Sparkles of light came from one OF
her pretty hands, from the sidecombs
which marshalled her curls, from the
! pin which suspended visibly her elab-
crate little watch. 1t scenes to Mrs
Martin that she saw a second edition
Of Minnie Pratt at her table.
Opposite Fay sat Phoebe-a trim
little Phoebe in simple, blue serge
frock, a tiny gun-metal watch heI
only adornment-a Phoebe all bud
ding curves and vanishing angles
Phoebe of deeply colored eyes anC
deeply colored lips equally innocent
: of coquetry. Mrs. Martins look grew
proud when it rested upon her.
Miss Faxon sat between Mr.. Mar
J tin and Ernest. When the black eye
were not shooting sparks to the lE
they were flashing lightnings to NJ
, right. She believes. it was evidken,
that the position Of guest carried ZTit
: it the privilege of n1onopolizinE tn
: conversation. Mrs. Martin offeTed n
5 interference. In her most eZpansiv
mood she could hardly be failed
talker And Phoebe was qLite cor
$ tent to listen, to laugh at Miss Fa,
J onss pictures of life in Akron. M
: Martin reared with laughter a
through dinner. AS for Xrnest--bl
there is a rapture that for Finds mirtl
! What do you think q that cir
) iPhoebe?y he asked In a~careIess tor
after Fay had gone.
'We1F Phoebe SID In an anaIy