The Jackson herald., 1910-11-10

and the girl was forced to listen. re-
luctantly but with attention. Harris
wondered what had happened TO
Madge's dinner; she usually knew
how to make a successful evening. He
was perpiexed, but he saw that his
friend was rising to the situation.
After dinner. wiltsie followed Miss
Tessie Gray into the parlor. and
thence to the porch. He was used to
being smiled at, and the change
amused him. She tried to escape. but
In vain. To whom could she nee!
The other men were all engaged. and
she would never let herself fall pitt
fully back on the host or hostess. She
endured his asslduous attention. but
she did not thaw. He enjoyed bother
ing her.
After that there were parties, and
n little dance, and q few picnics. and
many dinners. Drawn into the cur
rent, Wiltsie could not escape-he
took It good naturediy, always paired
of with the girl. though Madge had
tried vainly to get some other salts
factory and unattached man.
Il believe everybody In the world
but Tessie and Howard are engaged.
fretted Madge to her husband. I'm
worn to frazzle. They hate each
other, and yet they have to stay to-
sether. There's no other way. And
he seems to take positive Joy In fol-
lowing her about and being raptly
attentive. She's horrid and any
other girl would be wild with delight.
He's so good looking and clever. and
he'll be a partner next year. won't
hef"
Harris assented, but inwardly he
was greatly amused.
A few weeks later on, after
home dinner, and when the couples
had innocently enough lost them
selves about the garden. the porch.
anywhere to be comparatively alone.
Howard Wiltsie took his banjo and
sat down on the front steps at Tes-
sizes feet He began to strum and
sing odd little songs. and to
be generally entertaining.
Don't try so hard to be nice to
me! 1t tires you. and is quite
superfiuous sacrifice! Take II more
easily-you are not running half the
risk you think you are. There Is
nothing mesmeric about me and l
don't like matchmaking any better
than you do, and even II | wanted
to be married. can assure you that
you, of all men, are quite safe! l
appreciate your bravery in thus com.
ing into the danger zone to help out
your cousin, but I assure you it's no
pleasure to me to be entertained so
strenuously. I'm going back home"
Tears came to her flashing eyes.
and before he could find word to
answer to this crushing TRADE. the
girl jumped to her feet and went into
the house. You can tell Madge |
have a headache and don't want to be
disturbed. dislike asking you to tell
a lie, but since you act them so beau
tlfully perhaps you won't mind"
She was gone. The young man
stared a little; then he laughed.
When his hostess asked for Miss Gray
he coolly remarked that the young
woman had a bad attack OF temper
and had gone TO her room. He him.
self waited until he got word with
Harris in the den. He went straight
to the point.
Did you tell Madge what said
about her matchmaking and all that
stuff that night coming home from the
offce?'
"Why-yes, did. tried to keep
IwAs nn ~
Madge was talking about you. and os
course"
Being a good husband, you had TO
tell. When and where did you tell
her?-and where was Miss Gray?"
Gone to bed Madge and were
on the porch. Why?'
Wiltsie said he only wanted 10
know" Then he went home-or pre-
tended to. lie knew Tessie Gray pret
ty well by now. When he was sure
the others would be asleep, he went
hack TO Harris garden and sat down
in the little summer house and waited
1t was very late, nearly twelve. but q
very warm night Would she by
chance come out? She was OF course
| 100 anRTy lO
was a good glesser.
Evidently she had recovered from
her rage, for she was coming down
the path, occasionally holding he'
handkerchief to her eyes. When she
was almost at the summer house, ht
went out to meet her. She jumped
hut she did not scream. She looked
as angry as she could He faced her
looking straight into the tear'hllet
eyes.
Are the tears for me, Tessie? ol
are they-for yourself?"
She stared, not understanding him
her rage and resentment giving wa,
before that new thing she saw in hi
eyes-a new and welcome thing.
Hasn't is dawned on you, Tessie
that Tm-in love with you? All tina
idiotic stuff told Harrles and whicl
YOU heard him drivel over to Madg,