Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1911-05-11


especially when shes nof--in your
4 set? Perhaps-wen, perhaps she had
nothing 10 wear 10 grand opera Time
Z has been when Il took the combined
duds OF the four Of If girls 10 send
one out In style 70 represent the fam
( ily,"
4 Kate nodded her wise head, and the
others laughed. but John Stanley gave
I al inner start And perhaps-you' d
find out what allied her If you had the
nerve 10 ask her straight and fat
That would be something definite. De
liver me from doubt-and lover who
is afraid Of me-"
Kate darted away in her Inpish
fashion while the Others stared al
her unwonted display Of worldly wis
dom. Then other callers entered and
{ The subject Was dropped; but John
/ Stanley felt something arise in his
heart. II was logged determination
7 feeling that he had been fool for
/ false delicacy He left early, and
went out into the splendor Of the
moonlit April night
1 He walked about for he knew not
how long through the park, down
streets strange 10 him, recalling the
4 brief weeks Of the time Of his happy
4 expectation. All he knew about
Maidie WIS the look Of her and the
I little she had casually told him Of
/ herself Her only sister had just died
before she came 10 the city to work.
I They had been orphaned some years
4 before and had lost their little prop
erty through some negligence OF a
4 guardian. She was alone, but her
fine reserve never let him see her any
thing but cheerful He trembled for
her inexperleDce and tenderness. he
wanted TO shield her youth and beauty.
Hates sudden outbreak stuck in his
memory
Late that night he went TO bed
after deciding TO see Maidie and ask
her If he might come TO see her. No,
be would moi ask-he would 60. The
thought brought sleep and rest TO him,
The next evening found him at the
door Of her decent but Etufy boarding
house handing his card to the land.
lady The sharp-fsced woman gave
him 3 shrewd glance as he asked for
Miss Martin, and sbuffed away after
seating him IN the unspe8kable par.
Ior
Il bit h. ~
came down She walked straight tc
him, tall and slim in her little blue
dress and offered him her hand proud
( " enough. Her dark hair framed her
face softly, and she was very pale as
sbe seated herself opposite him, hel
hands folded in her lap.
He tried 10 speak Of generRlities. bui
they would not DO, and rs be searched
for thing he could lay his glanct
caught q glimpse OF the l8ndlady's facs
al half-opened door The woman
was watching them, Anger surged u;
within him and flushed his face HI
spoke quite aloud TO MRidie.
Miss Martin. viii you not come 70
a little walk IL Ia beautiful ouf-an,
only little after eight. ! wiz branl
lyou back as aeafTs as you like won
roE come ?"
The child-she was hardly NOR
than that, rose slowly, but with risihli
reluctance. Nevertheless she wen
out 10 the street with him, adjusting
her hat as they went For q littl.
they were silent
Would you prefer that i-xhouli
not come to See Maidier" H.
turned his head, looking eagerly int
her downcas1 face. Does NY COMING
make ii harder for YOU here" Sh.
nodded her head silently. VIVA
makes you stay where that horrii
woman is" She did not answer. 70
they were crossing q noisy street, bu
in q moment they were in & little coo
park where the young leaves weT-
/ tender on the trees. and tulips liftel
their heads from the soft Young grass
'It's-as good q place as can al
/ ford" she said silently. IT doesn't d
me any good to-hare you come"
He stopped short and looked al he,
: then the words rushed to lis lips. Sd.
YVES looking al him in queer, fright
eDed little way
"Yoa know / love you. Msidie, b
= said You have made me very mis-
cradle and unhappy all winter
somehow dared TO imagine that 20
were beginning TO care last winter
and al Of sudden you wouldn't al
) ceyt any invitation Of any sort D
Z matter how nice. Did your coolnes
4 mean you couldn't-care for me: Va
= that it"'
She looked al him moment an
o then shook her head slowly. But b
caught ar her and drew her toward
Q him. unyielding as she was i var
;, you to marry me, Maidie! Can't 70
4 see. Come and live in my home-yo
] needn't be seen in public with me u
q Tgtya ,-rrs