St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-01-07
Without Introduction
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright, 1910, by Associated Literary Press)

know the supper is to be delicious to-
night"
I'VE will have our share" said
Claiming decidedly. Il will return
in a few minutes. if you will wait"
He was gone then, and Nan looked
after his tall form with growing adj
miration. For several years she had
been familiar with Howard Chan
ning's name. She knew that of all
the eligible men her clever mother
had in mind as possible husbands for
Evelyn and Florence, Claiming stood
highest in Mrs. Bowrings esteem
1t was tedious waiting for the two
older girls to marry and make way
for her own appearance on the social
! stage. She was twenty now. yet Mrs.
Bowring had postponed the coming
out of her youngest and most beauti-
| full daughter until another season.
Once or twice before this Nan had
| watched a similar scene in the ball
room, but the meeting with Howard
Claiming made the present occasion
| one not to be forgotten. The music
| seemed sweeter than she had ever
heard it before, the lights were more
alluring, the scent of flowers more
exquisite, and somehow she did not
seem to care whether she ever came
out Officially" or not Tonight she
lived for the first time.
Once more the hangings were part
ed and Claiming entered. bearing a
carefully prepared tray.
Supper is being served now" he
said gayly.
Claiming set the tray carefully be-
tween them on another chair, and to
the soft strains of solitary harp in
the opposite balcony they ate their
first meal together Most of the
dancers had adjourned to the supper
room and they were quite alone in
their retreat
When the meal was concluded they
felt like old friends. Claiming told
her of his youthful escapades, of his
college days, and the busy present
day ups and downs in the Street Nan
related a free, open-air life on her
fathers country estate and subsequent
uneventful years in the schoolroom,
followed by European tour, accom-
panied by stern German governess.
Next year was to witness her formal
coming out.
This is my real coming out party
she said prettily.
I'm glad came,' smiled Chan.
ming.
An unlimited guest!"
IAN unwelcome one, perhaps?"
She blushed rosily and shook her
head. Charming decided that her face
was like the pinkest oleander blossom
just above her dusky hair. Il am
very glad you came to my party, Mr..
Charming. / was feeling very dull
now. Mother would be so vexed if
she knew-especially- She arose
with sudden haste and turned toward
the door. A recollection of what she
had done-the conventions she had
dared, seemed to assail her with sud.
den misgiving.
"Especially?" Claiming had arisen
also and was looking down at her
from his six feet of confident strength
Nan was saved the trouble of an.
swering his question, for just then
her little fluttering hands went up to
her heart with a frightened gesture
as the curtains were parted and the
majestic figure of Mrs. Bowring con.
fronted them.
Nancy" she exclaimed sternly,
what are you doing here? And Mr..
Channing-I do not understand" Her
frown relaxed into a puzzled smile as
her eyes met those of Howard Chan
ming
Confession is good for the soul,
Miss Man," he suggested, with a COM
forting little laugh; "let us tell your
mother about our adventure am
sure she will forgive us"
Nan did so, her face suffused with
charming bushes, and Mrs Bowring,
astute woman of the world, noted
Channing's interest, and inwardly re
joiced. Forgiveness was merely
matter of words. She had granted
Nan dissolution at the first glimpse Of
Channing's face.
Nevertheless. she carried Nan of to
bed, with an invitation to Claiming
to come and drink cup of tea the
next day.
As Nan followed her mother
through the doorway, Claiming hold
ing back the curtain, leaned forward
"Especially-?" he asked tenderly.
Nan reached back and plucked a
pink oleander blossom from the tree
He held out his hand and she dropped
the flower in it and was instantly
gone.
And Claiming wore the flower
home and dreamed of the earliest day
when he might come again and carry
sweet Nancy Off forever.
just So!