The Falls City tribune., 1911-05-19

without 1t, and it would be only n of
these for him. Lord, Billy Is too much
of an artist to live with a homely wom-
an. | never saw him with one who
wouldn't make any escort proud"
u tell you, Billy is a born captiya-
tor of the ladies'! He knew he could
do all he said. I'd bet within an ace
of all | possess that this Syracuse girl
Is a dashing young woman. I'd trust
Billy to pick out one for mel"
Syracuse girl" Is she ?" the second
man asked. I'm sorry for her. |
never did think much of Billy, and
after what you've told me, | consider
him the most cold-blooded, concsited,
full-fedged cad"
oh, pshaw!" the first exclaimed,
with the same easy laugh of enjoy
ment. Its a question what any girl
is going to get in marriage. The girl
who gets Billy will be the envy of her
tribe. He'll stick to her, you know.
There isn't a serious fault in his
makeup"
Il disagree with you," said the other
man.
Mildred heard their chairs pushed
back from tho table, heard their re-
treating footsteps, heard, last of all,
the pleasant, diminishing laugh of the
bachelor who had ~endeayored to per-
suade Billy not to follow his example.
The waiter had removed the CON
somme, which mademoiselle had evi-
IDENTIFY only cared to taste; and the
rest of the light repast she had or
dered was still before her. She tried
for appearances sake to eat, but the
effort of swallowing was too hard.
So that had been Billy's determine
ton, which he had carried out-open-
ly discussed among his friends-men!
Billy had picked her out as nearest
to his Ideal, among the moneyed ones,
and had won her-won her! 1t was
bitter. And all of it was gossip among
his friends. They were even ready to
lay wagers upon her qualifications.
Mildred stared into the box hedge
with an intensity that made her face
look cruel. She was thinking, with
terrible, definite accuracy, before her
heart should begin to live again, and
her brain to feel rather than to rea-
son. After a while, she raised her
head. She felt desperately that she
must get to some place where she
could cry her agony or that her heart
would burst with pain, and she strug-
gled to her feet.
Il will say to him." she told herself
In a gasping, half-uttered whisper, "all
that | know; and that | despise him.
Oh, l am so glad that | found out in
time-So glad! So gladl"
With a swift realization that her
condition was becoming almost hys-
terieal and therefore noticeable, she
made a tremendous effort to be calm,
resumed the seat which the obse-
queous waiter had already drawn
away, and with trembling finger pulled
on her gloves.
She saw that some one was ap-
preaching the table, probably the wait
er bringing Congratulated had
nearly forgotten to pay her bill. The
person stood beside her, but she did
not look up, knowing that her eyes
were blinded with tears.
Mildred" said a voice, deep and
beautiful to her ear as the music of a
low cord.
Her hands dropped nervelessly into
her lap.
The man seated himself opposite her
and leaned across the table.
GAI;1lraJ Joo,p Ia. aa;J etuLo4 L..
the matter? Look at me-"
What is the matter?" she felt her
self answering, though the words
never left her throat. You are base.
l know you, and despise you"
My dear girl" he was saying, in a
tone of concern. Are you i'll? You
look all in. Do speak to me-. |
haven't offended o by coming in,
have l? was passing in a cab and
caught a glimpse of you above the
wall. | would know the turn of your
head anywhere, If | saw 1t for a sec
ond." His one changed now to n
she knew so well, that made the pulses
hammer In her ears. You can't be
angry with me for stopping instantly
and coming IT, Just Tor a WORD with
you-one look from your eyes
Mildred"
She grew steadier and raised her
eyes, to give him n look, though not
the look he craved; but when she met
his eyes, deep-blue, so near to hers, so
eloquent, her lids dropped again, and
when once more they were raised, her
eyes were overlooking with tears.
She only looked at him. at his
clean-cut, masterful face, his fine
shoulders, his perfect clothes, his
strong, well-kept hand. and again his
eyes.
you are tired out, beloved, from
shopping" he said. 81 am going to
take you home"
Unresisting, Mildred let him take
her away, dimly conscious that every