The Williamson enterprise. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1907-1911, 1911-03-30
CHAPTER TX. icontinued.)

Betty had been making tea for Aunt
Selma, and of course when she heard
us up there, she followed, tray and all,
and we drank Aunt Se1fna's tea and
had the first really nice time OF the
day. Bella had come up, too. but she
was still standofflsh and queer, and
she stood leaning against a chimney
and staring out over the river. After
q little Mr.. HARRISON put down his cup
and went over to her, and they talked
quite conf1dentially for a long time.
thought It bad taste In Bella. under
the circumstances, after Stumbling Dali
las and Max. and of course treating
Jim like the dirt under her feet, to
turn right around and be lovely to
Mr.. HARRISON. It was hard for Jim.
Max came and sat beside me, and
Flanagan, who had been sent down
for more cups, passed tea, putting the
tray on top Of the chimney. Jim was
sitting grumpily on the roof. with his
feet folded under him, playing Garfield
IN the shadow Of the parapet, buying
the deck out OF one pocket and putting
his winnings In the other. He was
watching Bella. too. and she knew 1t,
and she strained point to captivate
Mr.. HARRISON. Any one could see that.
And that was the picture that came
out IN the next mornings papers, tea
cups, cards and all For when some
one looked up. there were four news
paper photographers on the roof OF the
next house, and they had the imperti-
nence to thank us!
Flanagan had seen Bella by that
time, but as he still didn't understand
the situation, things were just the
same. But his manner to me puzzled
me-; whenever he came near me he
winked prodigiously. and during an
the search he kept one eye on me,
and seemed TO be amused about some
thing.
When the rest had gone down to
dress for dinner. which was being sent
in, thank goodness, still sat on the
parape& and watched thu darksning
river. felt terribly lonely. all at
once, and sad. There wasn't any one
any nearer than father, in the West,
or mother In Bermuda, who really
cared rap whether sat on that par
apet al night or not. or who would
pc sorry If I leaped to the dirty bricks
OF the next door-yard-not that
meant to, of course.
The lights came out across the
river. and made purple and yellow
streaks on the water, and one Of the
motor-boats came painting back to the
yacht club, coughing and gasping as II
II had oyerdone Down on the street
automobiles were starting and stop
ping, cabs rolling. doors slamming, all
the maddening. delightful hustle OF
people who are footfree to dine nut,
to dance. to go to the theater, to do
any Of the thousand possibilities OF
long February evening. And above
them sat on the roof and cried. Yes,
cried.
was reused by some one coughing
just behind me. and tried to straight
an my face before turned. 1t was
Flanagan. his double row Of brass
buttons cleaning in the twilight.
Excuse me. miss" he said affably,
but the boy from the hotel has left
the dinner on the doorstep and run,
the cowardly little divil! What'll do
with II? went to Mrs Wilson. but
she Says it's no concern of hers" Elan
nigan was evidently bewildered.
You'd better Keep it warm. Elan
nigan." l replied. You needn't wait; /
I'm coming" But he did not go.
tiff you'll excuse me. miss he
said. don't you think ye'd better tell
themf''
Tel them what?"
"The whole thing-the Joke" he
said conf lentially. coming closer
ats been great sport. now. hasn't it?
But I'm afraid they will get on to I'll
soon, and-some of them might not be
agreeable. A pearl necklace is a pearl
necklace. miss. and the lady's wild"
what do you meang" gasped.
you dom, think--why, FIannigan-"
He merely grinned at me and thrust
his hand down in his pocket When
he brought It up he had Bella's brace
let on his psim. glittering In the faint
Hight
Where did you get it7- Between
relief anf the absurdity OF the thing. !
was alpost hysterical. But Flanni-
gkn did not Fivs me the bracelet; In
stead. II struck me his tone was sud-
oou1y se3ore