Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-02-22

BIRTHDAY
chair opposite me and purred sweetly.
Nov that you're back you'll cure me
of it, dear, won't your"
In the light of this remark it is I'M
necessary to explain that l am Mrs.
Courts most intimate friend. But her
courtship and marriage had occurred
during my absence in Europe.
ut is very nice-fOr Washington"
mused-"having Mr.. Courts jour de
naissance fall on the same day as his
own. You would certainly be JUST
fed in naming the baby G. VIZ
Nina regarded me uncertainty for a
moment. Then she spoke with the
frankness we were wont to indulge in
in the days when we had cheeks like
red apples and pigtails down our
backs.
q believe you are growing sarcas.
tic" she observed with strong disap,
prevail Its wretched form for an
unmarried girlw Then her face clear
ed, and a reminiscent smile played
about her lips. | waited in serene 81
lence, knowing of old that Nina's emo
tons soon reach the point of overflow
'When you know Gerald BETTER
she observed as if il were a matter OF
profound Importance, you will be
surprised to learn that he is in reality
very jealous. You see, liked him
Nina's pauses are at least as ex
pressive as her speech.
Eyes, 1 think l see-indeed, any one
ought to be able to see-that you like
Gerald!'
1t seemed an amiable thing to say
but Nina looked up at me in a way
that suggested that there were traits
about me to which she would give at
tention later on.
Eyes, liked Gerald from the first!
1.-THE first of what?" l asked frivo
lousy. Because it sounds like a lease
or something? Besides, it seems tC
me that you always did like then
from the first" I went ON. But Nina
whose face had grown all soft and
misty with memories, paid no heed t.
my gibes
81 liked him so well,' she resumed
in a tone as soft as Il caress, that /
was scared positively scared-lest he
that reason / was nice to the others. y
II haven't the smallest doubt of it,
my DEAR said | soothingly, and
somewhat Modified, she proceeded
with her narrative.
She told the story somewhat inco.
herently, with tortuous windings and
significant elisions, but by reading be.
tween the lines l gathered that she
had blown hot and blown cold, hold
ing Gerald in high favor one day and
treating him with disdain the next
until, weary of it all, he had rebelled.
$50 he broke the silken cords and
,bolted, did hep l laughed, and Nina
threw off carelessly.
''He really behaved in a very domi
neering manner and assured me that
the time for nonsense was over. OF
course l was not going to stand that
] liked him too well. SO / told him
we would better give each other up"
''At that he just folded his arms and
looked down at me very hard and said
In queer voice: It's for the last time
Nina. VIII you marry me or not?
1.-THE tears were coming, and could
not speak, but | smiled and shook my
head quite gayly. Without word
Gerald turned on his heel and left me,
perhaps / wasn't the most miser.
able girl in Washington for the next
few weeks! Perhaps l didn't think
seriously of joining a sisterhood!
wanted to devote my life to something
sensible and
She hesitated for a word.
"Unfiirtatious p / suggested.
''It was horrible but there was moth
ing to do but to go on living, and l
must say that the others
1.-THE whatP' l gasped. ST thought
you said you were thinking of con-
,ventr
She met my surprise with a long
speculative glance and evidently de-
cided to cut out this portion of her life
story.
wei, anyway, we decided that IL
was best to hide our break from other
people as much as possible-to avoid
gossip, you know. SO we talked the
matter over Seriously
With the rudeness Of intimacy IN
serrupted her smoothly flowing speech
"Walt a moment, dear; I'm all mixed
up. I thought Gerald had gone FOR
ever! You will have to explain to me
how you managed to have further
talk in the matter"
"Oh, sent him a note she admit
ted, with suspicion Of a blush. u
didn't want the poor boy to do any
thing desperate, you know"
/ nodded like a mandarin. Then,
just to show how extremely well l
understood I added.