Evening star., 1911-01-15

She d1d-she-may l not be permitted
little modesty?"
'As much as you like" she answered
heartily. glad to know he had at least
speaking acquaintance with the word. Par
don my question. 1t was probably unfair,
i've shall be good friends he answered
confidently. Il naturally expect to see
rather lot of the little girl"
A CLATTER of hoofs, as OF cavalcade,
"A intruded itself through the window,
followed almost at once by silence.
Then a footman appeared at the open
door and engaged the attention Of his mis-
tress She crossed to him at once.
MIR. Stetson, Madam, if you please an
nounced the servant quietly. "Shall speak
to Miss Thurley, Madam"
"At once, James," She smiled back at
Gailard. You will excuse me just a mo-
ment?" and she hastened to the reception
room, where Stetson was waiting, as blush
ing and self conscious as girl.
''Oh, here you are, Alice!" he said, at
tempting to laugh away his nervousness.
"You see, l didn't know. of course. what
carriage Miss Thurley might prefer; SO
brought them all.
Brought them ALL! echoed Alice, NOV
ing at once to the window and sweeping aside
the fil1ny traceries of lace. In Heavens S
name, Willie Stetson, did you come to take
a whole asylum for a drive?"
1t appeared very much as if he had. There
was very cavalcade of vehicles out by the
curb, each with man in attendance. Every
known and unknown contrivance on wheels
was represented carts, drags. hacks, cabs,
landaus, victorias, phaetons, an automobile,
everything save baby perambulator and
a u,haa1harrou
well, she might as well have her choice,
mightn't she?" inquired the embarrassed
Willie. Mother, you see, has no prefer
ence. really. Shed ride in anything | sug-
gested. Deuced clever little mother!'
Mother" was seated in the foremost rig
at the moment She was harmless, mind
less little person, immovably persuaded that
the universe pivoted somewhere in Willie's
system.
Il see" said Alice. "Your plan is at least
unique"
Thurley having seen the arrival of Will
lies procession, was already coming down
when James was halfway to the floor above
What is it?" she said, as she entered the
room. "Oh, Mr. Stetson, how do you do3"
Nicely thank you" said Willie, once
more bushing profusely. "Awfully jolly
to see you again. | was just telling Alice
brought everything around to give you
something of a choice. She says my plan is
unique. l was hoping it might seem differ
ent, not too beastly commonplace.
Thurley came to the window and cast a
glance up and down the imposing line. Z" |
don't believe quite understand she con-
fessed. I'VE couldn't ride in them ALL
why not?" asked Willie. IF we like
you like. mean. thought we'd start in
the one you prefer and the Others could fol-
low behind, in case you'd like to change, you
know, or anything like that
"Oh, my! Please send them away, all
but the one your mothers in,' said Thurley.
"That is your mother, suppose?"
That's the mater, all right; but-send
them away? Are you sure that's the one you
prefer? If you'd like any other horses put
to the carriage"
Willie, go take your drive, like rational
being!" Alice interrupted. Il never heard
of anything like it in my life!"
'All right" said Willie cheerfully. Real
ly, it doesn't make the slightest bit of differ
ence to Mother or me-"
He went out, and like the dismember-
ment of circus, the vehicles started away
round the corner and down the avenue with
the most diverting variety of PAGES. Then
Willie, Mother, and Thurley disappeared,
the Princes" gaily but discreetly waving
to Alice, still standing by the window.
Dear grill she murmured to herself and