Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1910-01-13
BY CLARA Il. HOLMES
pyrieht 1909, by Associated Lit
crary Press.

4 nat GoIuOu MCtaflanu, remarked
Davy Moulton, lis the limit. He hasn't
courage enough to propose"
Huh. DO you want TO marry him
that you are SO anxious about itY
NO. | haven't cherry lips aud dim
lples'-
Never mind the inventory, Brother
Davy." she replied
"All right sis, but it'll never happen
unless you propose. In the presence
of his divinity-meaning you-he is re-
duced to a pulp"
The sting to this teasing was in its
truth. Gordon was devotion itself, yet
it was silent alteration. He seemed
unable to utter word in her presence.
She had given him many opportunities
In that unexplainable way a woman
has, and once or twice he had floun-
dered and stammered with effort until
In vexation she had retorted so whim-
4, Sically that she had silenced him COM
pletely.
"Oh, he's just too ridiculous, a great.
big thing like him, stammering and
blushing like a schoolboy 1t fairly
makes me ashamed" she grumbI& I&d.
\ woman's motives are difHcult to
/ fathom Bess, in an unusuay fit of
graciousness, had allowed Gordon to
escort her to ball. She vas justly
vain of her escorts appearance as she
snuggled beside him in the depths of
the carriage. But by ..the time they
had arrived her napier had changed
visibly. so much 80 that she almost
ignored him after the conventional
first dance. He had tangled his feet
hopelessly in /'her train and missed
step until sPe was nearly beside her
self with nl6rtifcation.
There was ample excuse for his be-
wilderment. She was intoxicatingly
lovely, Nth her draperies floating,
cloudlike, about her bare shoulders,
and the flush Of exercise tinting her
face. Hike a rose. Davy's comment was,
Gordon looks as if he would like to
eqt her"
Bess was so provoked at this that
she intended to punish Gordon by
airting outrageously. Besides, if |
could make him cross, he might pluck
up a fraction of courage" she thought.
| 1t vexed her still more because she
felt that he understood her motive. SO
did Davy, and he would not fail to
lease her on the morrow.
| Carelessly tossing Gordon her bou-
uuet in passing. she walked off with
Gerald Stone for an ice.
Queer duck, that Gordon. Doesn't
appear to have much to say" remark
ed Gerald insinuatingly.
| Here the eternal feminine came to
the surface "Oh. don't know"
Her tone was resentful in the ex-
treme. The next instant she said
sweetly, Here's just the nook for
quiet chat Let us sit here awhile.
The ice can wait; so can Gordon.
He'd hold my bouquet all night"
aughingy.
| An hour later Gordon sat abstract
edly pulling at the petals of the roses.
He had hoped that the flowers might
convey to her that which he found so
dimcult to say.
In upon his musing dribbed the con-
versation of two acqGaintauces.
80 Gerald Stone has won Bessie
| Moultony | thought Gordon was TO be
the man, but he lacked courage. He
deserves to lose her. He should know
woman despises a faint heart" said
voice he knew.
Il wonder how she would like it if
she knew that Gerald boasted to me Of
his conquest? He told as a great joke
that she had left Gordon to moon over
her bouquet. Said they were going to
slip away and let him hunt for her
when be had tired of the flowers.
Seemed to think it mighty funny" an
swered the speakers companion.
ITS contemplate. | wouldn't have
thought it Of BESSIE MoultonI" was the
reply as they sauntered down the room.
The sturdy independence of Gordon's
Scotch ancestry rose within him. He
attached his card to the flowers and
! left them in.the cloakroom; then, with
a determined step, he left the house.
Bess loitered in her frivolous chat
with the man she detested. dawdled
| over her ice and finally sauntered back
10 the dancing hall, apparently oblivi-
Gus to the fact that she had promised
this twostep to Gordon She expected
/ him to be waiting for her When he
was not TO be seen she was perturbed.
Come on, let's take this twostep,'
said Gerald. with great familiarity.
mo, thanks" hotly resenting his
tone. "You have had more than enough
of my company for one evening" she
added lightly lest she betray her an
noyance as TO Gordon.
/ An hour or so later she called Ger
MD to her side. ~ claim a woman's
9rerogative-l have changed my mini,
| You may take me home"
AS he bowed his thanks he thought
OF his boast to Van Asyltine and
smiled. 81 suspect it was he who tat
! tied