El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-15
THE CONQURER
BY Leslie Thomas.

A Ii around him hummed cheerful
~ conversation, but Frederick
4 \ Boyson sat slone d. dejecte1
in his corner. Occasionally someone
would notice his gloom and address
him: but he answered almost sulkily
and soon became the subject OF Whls-
pered comment
Only conscious, however, OF tie Iac'
that Miss Rilda Wenlock had glanccs
and smiles for everybody except him
self. Mr.. Boyson followed her with a
furtive eve. You never know what to
expect with a girl" he reflected hope
lessly Shed lead you on, and en-
courage you until you were on the
point of proposing, and then suddenly.
for no reason at all, apparently quite
forget YOUR existence 1t was enough
to make a fellow wish he had never ac-
cepted the invitation to her home
It'll be quite a mixed affair, Mr..
Boyson-mostly young people and some
children
mixed affair-yes, Otherwise, he
told himself bitterly, person like Her
bert Piasent, who was leaning mad
deningly close to Miss Wenlock as he
talked, would never have seen the in
side of the house. With set teeth. MIR.
Bovson glared in the direction Of the
couple. His hostess had to address him
twice before he heard.
~AlI alone? Oh, that's not fair. You
ought to be helping me entertain peo-
pie. Let me see, now; what is 1t you re
so clever at? All, of course-the very
thing"
Mr.. Boyson, guessing what was COM
ing, Redeemed and began to stammer.
''Oh, no; 1 can't accept any excuses,
really" Mrs. Wenlock raised her voice.
10 a
you've all heard about Mr. Boyson's
ccnjuring. Well, he has promised to
show US some
He muttered a frantic suggestion
"Oh, well, then, directly after supper.
so that the room can be cleared a bit.
Promise to show US some tricks" she
concluded triumphantly.
Mr.. Boyson found all eyes focused
upon him, some in plying superiority
others in contemptuous amusement or
polite surprise. He groaned inwardly.
IT won't do it." he vowed. I'll
say I'm i'll, or something
But Mrs. Wenlock had disappeared.
and. when at length he found her she
laughed at all his protestations-
From then till supper time he moved
restlessly, the picture of misery; ana,
although he sat down to the meal he
cOuIQ 0aTQty eat d IlOIScl IlC lAiOd6 IL
of making a desperate appeal to Miss
Wenlock; but she had vanished. At
last a maid touched his shoulder to
arouse him.
We've arranged the chairs. sir; and
your box has come. And, please, the
missis says will you kindly see If
there's anything more you want
''N-no" declared Mr.. Boyson sepul-
chraIly Nothing"
She waited, however, so he rose and
followed her.
"A screen, then, if you don't mind
and-er-" He mumbled a confused
request.
He could escape directly afterwards,
he decided frantically-once the pitt
full exhibition was over. Then the
house-and Hilda Wenlock-should
know him no more. Duly he busted
himself in the few preparations neces-
sary. His hostess looked in.
"All ready? Now, do come back and
finish your supper. You've had posi-
lively nothing"
Feebly protesting, he was hustled off
again. When they rose from the table
he gulped down a drink The other
men gathered round, and made chatting
comments. He scarcely heard what
they said As if in a dream presently.