The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-02-05

the big chair known as his" and
leaned back.
Il shall want three cups of tea
he said in that queer, slow, hoarse
way of his, "and-s-several mullins" "
The three women laughed with
pleasure.
Il knew you'd be late" Lady Law
less returned, so on.y rang for
tea minute ago, and we have had
ours, and here is a teapot all for
you-and the water boils!"
Awful"
The two girls looked at him GU
riously, as he lazily watched the
making of the tea.
Lady Lawless had no daughters,
and these two young things had come
from opposite ends Of England to
visit her. They had both arrived
three days before, and We're both,
apparently, still thrilled by the ex-
citement of living under the same
roof with Bddulph Nettlefold.
And he, drinking his tea, con-
suming his three muffins-for the
man ate enormously while he was
working-understo this and smiled
his queer, crooked smile as he watch
ed them watching him.
Suddenly Pansy Petre, the younger
of the two, broke the silence in
most unexpected way.
Well she burst out with an
affectation of affability to which the
expression of her delightful face gave
the lie, 'how is the book coming
on?'
Lady Lawless stared at her. and
then she and Bddulph looked at
each other and laughed.
The book" he croaked, handing
back his cup with yes, please"
in his eye, ''is coming on finely. 1t
is going to be-outrageous.'
Jane Lydden, the other girl, gig
gled and Lady Lawless poured out.
rs it going to be as bad as He
Who Will Not?"" persisted Pansy,
sitting on the club-fender and fixing
him with a steady gaze.
Good outlines, he noticed, show
themselves well against a background
of blazing wood.
After pause, during which he
stirred his tea thoughtfully, he AN
swered her.
Did you ever read Mother Goose
Well, this book is to He Who Will
Not what it is to Mother Goose.
1t is a most awful book
His cadaverous, and curiously i'm
passive face, wrinkled slowly into
a smile of infinite Orientalism as
he watched his questioner.
"H-have you" he went on, drawl-
ing as no one else would, in these
hasty times, be allowed to drawl,
''read all my books?'
The blood he drew came only to
the surface of her agitated young
face, but he had drawn it, and
watched her blush with delight.
NO." she answered, IL never
read any of 'em, of course
Then how did you k-know?"
1t was little Jane Lydden who
answered breathlessly but bravely.
Everyone knows, don't they, Lady
Lawless? And, of course, we have
heard 'em talked about
'W-would you be so kind as to
give me a bit of sugar? | always
want each succeeding cup sweeter
than the last. Thanks. Oh. so you
hear 'em talked about That must
be very bad for you"
''Oh, why?" cried Lady Lawless.
'The plots are-fairly presentable,
it's only the-the expression of
things that is
"Corrupting?' he suggested, his
eyes quite hidden under the wrin-
killed. lids.
Pansy burst out laughing. What
delicious word, l say, Mr.. Nettle
fold, if the plots are all right, do
tell us the plot of this last one.
Well never tell; we'll give you our
word of honor. oh, please do"
Lady Lawless, VINO, contrary to
all laws of expectation. was not,
and never had been in love with her
friend. leaned back with
a hand screen between her and the
fire and watched, well-pleased, the
relaxation of the lion. He set down
his cup, lighted IA cigaret, and
made himself comfortable before he
answered the daring creatures re-
quest.
"All right Word of honor, please"
The two girls gave it in unison.