The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-05-25

point of calm him Berthe, which an
noyed him very much. as his name Is
Stanford de Coursey Starr and he al
ways signs all of it.
We decided that Starts judgment
alone could not be trusted, so Fer
guesson went with him to call, and
both were invited to dinner. Randy
was rather silent after his return, but
when we pressed him for an opinion
he said that he hardly thought Mil
dred was all Starr represented her,
but as there was 10 accounting for
tastes she might suit Casey. He
would have to see her and judge for
himself.
1t was not long after this that I
found Ferguesson busy writing
verses. 1 was surprised, for while
Randy is great on battle, murder, and
sudden death in literature, he usual
ly doesn't attempt to interfere with
Byron or any of those sentimental
chaps. However, he said he did not
intend it for publication, but for
Casey, which of course was a different
matter.
"How's this?" he inquired.
"Poised on footsteps light and airy.
She floats. my dainty little fairy"
"Hold on" I interrupted. "She can't
float while she's poised; it's a physi-
cal impossibility. Make it Stands or
waits She waits ETC."
1T don't want her merely waiting"
he objected. ANY washerwoman can
do that. I want something delicately
expressive, something ethereal-like
the slight harebell raising it's head
elastic from her airy tread, you
know"
I brought the Master Hand to his
assistance.
"Her eyes like stars of twilight fair.
Like twilight, too, her dusky hair"
Exactly" he agreed; "cnly, it's
not dusky."
What is it," I inquired with in
terest.
Red" quoth Randy. go to the
devil"
I went. to Starr and found him
dressing to dine out. Sitting down
on the bed, I watched him tie his era
vat and considerably waited until the
crucial moment was over before I
spoke.
"Bertie," I began, what color is
Mildred's hair?"
whats that to you?" he snapped.
did you tell Casey it was red?
1t might make a difference"
who said it was red? It's golden,
if you must know, and when the sun
shines on it"
He took a carnation from the water
pitcher and carefully fastened it in
his buttonhole.
"Well," 1 saidr what happens
when the u shines on it? Does it
fade or come OFF,"
Starr brushed his hat and took up
his coat.
"You think you're clever" he re-
marked, "but. really, you know,
you're only asinine."
Casey and 1 went to the theatre
that night and sat inconspicuously in
the gallery. From that secluded re-
treat we saw Starr afar off in a box,
in close conjunction with a yellow
head, a white gown, and a bunch of
violets. 7 handed Casey the glasses.
There's your BRIDE, I remarked.
"Have a look"
Casey focused the glasses without
special interest
81 forked up the money for the
violets, but I didn't know you bought
them by the ton," was his only com
ment.
We saw Starr carelessly stepping
into a brougham after the show, and
1 remarked to Casey as we turned up
our coat collars Git vas raining) that
such luxuries looked good to me.
II shall have a Mercedes" he re-
Piled. Horses are out of date"
But suppose Mrs. Casey prefers
them?"
This remark was merely tentative,
and Casey ignored it as we watched
the wheels of Mildred's carriage dis
pear around the corne
April is a good month";" I sug-
gested.
Eyes," he acquiesced. ut is q
beastly night, isn't it,"
The last remark sounded irrelevant
and was not.
To be Continued.
~-y-rr