The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-01-01
radiant. "And won't Mr.. Percy give
us his opinion Of my art =

NC cAuulHeu tue pdIutltS thereon al
closer runge amazement overspread his
features. However. pulling himself to-
gether. he found himself able to reply
and with great gallantry:
well. on'y t think them little hands
cud a done all that rough woik."
l saved the girls feelings by enter
ing into the conversation with ques-
ton. which put quickly:
"You intend pursuing your historical
researches In the neighborhood?
Them fairy tales handed you
about ole Jeanne dare an William
the Conker." he said. SAY. they must
"a made you sore afterwoids.'
ION the contrary. | was much inter-
ested in everything pertaining to your
too brief VISIT" / returned. II am
even more so now"
well. IN friend"-he shot me a side
long. distrustful glance-"keep yer
eyes Open"
"That is just the point" laughed.
with intentional significance. for
meant to make MIR. Percy talk as much
as l could. 10 this end. remembering
that specimens Of this kind are most
indiscreet when carefully enraged. /
added. stimulating his own manner:
Eyes open and doors locked.
WhatY'
Il guess they amt much need O.
lockin' your door," he retorted darkly;
mot from what ! saw when | was in
your studio" He should have stop
ped there. for the hit was palpable
and justified. but in his resentment he
overdid it. You needn't be scared of
anybody's cartin' off them pitchers.
young Teller. Whoosh. An I'm the
luks Of the clo'es l saw hangin' on the
wall" he continued. growing more net
tied as smiled cheerfully upon him.
Il don b'lieve you gut any worries
comm about them neither"
II suppose our tastes are different"
said, letting my smile broaden.
"There might be protection In that"
His stare at me was protracted to
an unseemly length before the sting
Of this remark reached him. 1t pene-
trated finally. however.
las l tell the little dame here" he
said. pitching his voice higher and at
fecting the plaintiff. Il make no passes
at friend O. hers-not in front O. her.
anyways. But when it comes to these
here ole. ancient curiosities"- cac-
killed. again loudly-"well. guess them
clo'es see that day kin hand it out t
anything they got in the museums.
Look here says to the waiter, these
must ben left over FIN ole Jeanne
dare herself l says. Talk about
yer relics says. Woosh. l. like t
died" He laughed violently and con-
cluded by turning upon me with
contemptuous flourish of his stick
"You think l d'know what makes you
so raw?"
The form Of repartee necessary to
augment his Ill humor was, of course.
q matter of simple mechanism for one
who had not entirely forgotten his
student days in the quarter. and de-
livered it airily, though l shivered
inwardly that Miss Elliott should
hear.
Everything will be all right If when
you dine at the inn you'll sit with your
back toward me-"
To my shamed surprise this roust-
about wit drew a nervous. silvery gig
gle from her. and that completed the
work with Mr.. Percy. whose face
grew scarlet with anger.
you're a hot one. you arew he
sneered. with shocking bitterness.
you're quite the teaser, amt We.
s'long's yer lady friend is lukkin' on.
l guess they'll be few surprises CON-
in your way before long. Praps |
cudn't give ye one now f 1 had a
mind to-"
"Pshaww laughed and. venturing
at hazard, said, Il know all you
know"
"Oh. you dor be cried scornfully. IL
reckon you might set up an take lit
tie notice. though. If you knowed at
know all you know"
mot bit Of itr'
"No? Maybe you think I don't know
what makes you so raw with me;
maybe you think ! don't know who
we've got SO thick with at this here
Pigeon house; maybe you think 1 don't
know who them people are!'
mo. you don't You have learned" !
said. trying to control my excitement.
nothing. Whoever hired you for a
spy lost the money. You don't know
81 don't" And with that his voice
went to half shrek. Maybe you
think I'm down here FIR my health;
maybe you think | come out FIR
pleasant walk in the woods right now;
maybe you think amt seen no other
lady friend O. yours besides this'n to-
day, and maybe didn't see who was
with her-yes, an maybe you think
! d'know no other times he's ben with
her; maybe you think l amt ben
layin' low over at Dives; maybe l
don't know a few real names in this
neighborhood! Oh no. maybe notr
you know what the maitre d'hotel
told you. nothing more"
NHau ahant fhn roc,o