Morris tribune., 1911-12-29

| The Cliftons lived in a small apart
ment that had once formed part of an
old fashioned mansion. and Harry had
named the dinner hour as $50. Jack
Hilliard chose to walk the distance
between his home and the Cliftons'
and as he strode along the bleak
streets he could not help regretting
that he was not to see his friend Man
son. Then he thought of Simpsons
remark about there being "a girl in
the case"
There was a girl in the case so far
as Jack himself was concerned. but it
was rather strange case, too, for he
had seen the girl only twice, and he
| did not know her name. Her face
was hauntingly sweet, her hair and
| eyes were brown, and she had the
most charming Pickering pink color in
her cheeks.
| Jack Hilliard had never cared much
for girls. He had always been too
| busy with lusty out of door sports to
care about them or to think about
them But when his eyes met those
of the girl with the brown eyes his
heart had throbbed queerly, and 1t con-
tinued to perform in the same odd
manner whenever he thought of her.
He was still thinking Of this un-
known girl when he reached Clifton's
home, but her face vanished with his
entrance into the softly lighted private
hall, where Harry divested him Of his
overcoat and pushed him into the
| small parlor. ----
1t was a pleasant little room, charm
ingly furnished, with an open piano
and a bright fire glowing in an open
Franklin fireplace. ....
"My mother and sister will be in
presently" said Harry as they sat
down before the fire. You know, we
keep no servant. and they are putting
the finishing touches to the dinner"
"I'm afraid have made extra work
for them," said Jack regretfully, but
Harry Clifton reassured him, and
soon the two became deeply interested
in a small model Of a new invention
that was then stirring the world.
"The father Of friend of mine in
vented that" observed Jack as he
turned the model over.
"Do you know Silas Manson?" ask
ed Harry in surprise.
"Why, yes. His son and I were
classmates"
"Silas Manson is my uncle. Jerry Is
our own cousin. He is dining with us
tonight" said Harry.
,"Well, by Jove, but I'm glad!' cried
Jack, concealing his surprise at the
newly discovered relationship. Il
heard that Jerry was dining down on
the Bleak road and would sail for
Scotland tomorrow morning. | was
disappointed not to see him.
Hes going to dine here first and go
down with his friends at 9 O'Clock"
said Harry; then, rising, he added, "Ah,
that is his ring now!" Excusing HIM
self. he left the room to return with
Jerry Manson. So
The two college friends greeted each
other joyfuIly. and there was half
hour of excited talk before dinner was
announced.
Presently Mrs. Clifton appeared, a
small, delicate looking little lady with
snow white hair and brown eyes. Jack
Hilliard bowed low over her little hand.
stained as it was with preparations
for the Thanksgiving feast. She was
as gracious and self possessed as his
own mother, whose fingers had never
prepared a meal in her life.
1--WE are rather old fashioned people.
Mr. Hilliard," she said. I'VE cling to
old family customs, and we do like
to observe our festivals at home.
Thanksgiving dinner eaten in a fash
ionable restaurant never tastes quite
so good to me-"
II feel sure that this is going to
mark an era in festivals with me"
smiled Jack, and then he stopped short
and was guilty Of staring.
He had been seated facing an old
fashioned pier glass between the front
windows, and now he saw reflected
in Its depths the form Of his brown
eyed girl-the girl he had seen. twice,
the girl he had dreamed about. 1t
was too wonderful to be true, and yet
1t must be true, for Harry and Man
son had arisen, and Jack found him
self on his feet and turning to be in
troduced to Alice Clifton. When their
eyes met he was sure there was a
gleam of recognition In their brown
depths.
Alice Clifton was wearing pale pink
frock, and pink was undoubtedly her
color. 1t flushed her delicately until
she looked like a sweet pink rose.
ITO think of what l might have
missed if ! had thrown over Harry's
invitation" said Jack to himself, as
they went in to dinner and he found
himself facing Alice Clifton. ITO
think of what would have missed If
had not come tonight! It's all too
wonderful for anything-to have old
Manson here too!''
It was a delicious dinner and was
r..1-@ H.,