The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-12-28

Matters

AVAN8 ~ -
1T was very good and neighborly of
you to come to see me so soon," said
Mrs. Ashby to Miss Gordon, who was
making a first call. You know we
were perfect strangers out here in
Brentwood when we arrived last
week."
why, George Thompkins is a friend
Of yours, isn't he?" asked Miss Cor
don, with smile that Mrs. Ashley
thought she understood.
We'll, yes, we do know him." she
replied. "He is a business acquaint-
ance of my husbands, but, Of course,
we have never had anything to do
with him socially. He is odd, isn't he?
But Mr.. Ashley says he's bright in
business, notwithstanding his crudi-
tiles.
1T often happens, doesn't 1t" went
on Mrs. Ashley, warming to her sub
ject. that men who care nothing for
the little amenities Of life are won
derfully successful commercially? But,
for my part" Mrs. Ashley went on
complacently, '1'd rather my husband
should have his own good manners and
excellent taste than all the money that
aggressive people like Mr. Thompkins
find 1t SO easy to make. Shouldn't you
feel that way?"
why, really, never thought much
about the matter" answered Miss Cor
don as she took her leave.
II don't believe you'll be lonesome
very long out here In Brentwood" said
Ashley that night at dinner. You'll
probably get acquainted quickly, for
saw Thompkins today, and he told
me that he had set the ball rolling by
asking his f1ancee to call on you"
What's her name?' asked Mrs,
Ashley, with more interest than she
cared to show.
81 believe it's Gordon"
"She was here today" Mrs. Ashley
said, trifle family. Il must return
her call very SOON"
1t was difficult for Mrs. Ashley to
carry out this good resolution, for the
thought of seeing Miss Gordon again
made her extremely uncomfortable. So
1t was not until several weeks had
passed that she brought herself to
the point of ringing the Gordon door
bell.
She kept hoping during the rather
languid conversation that Miss Gordon
would mention Thompkins, but his
name was not spoken until the caller
herself dragged 1t into the talk in a
manner she strove to make casua,
I'VE have scarcely seen anything OF
our one friend in common. Mr.. Thomp-
kins, since we came to Brentwood"
and I'm sorry, for I'm sure he would be
a delightful person to know well.
used to be foolish enough to think him
well, little brusque, you know,
but that was because | didn't appre-
ciate his frankness. There's 30 much
pretense and affectation in the world
that it's great pleasure to meet peo-
pie who-well, who are just their own
selves. I'm beginning to find that ]
care very little for an elaborate man
ner in any one"
"Really? was all the comment Miss
Gordon made to this somewhat labor
ed speech.
Mrs. Ashley left the house, feeling
that somehow her efforts at making
amends had not been quite success
full.
II don't believe Miss Gordon and
can ever be very congenial," she re-
marked to her husband that evening.
"She is SO cold and selfcontained and
she seems to be half-smiling all the
time at something in her own
thoughts"
Maybe she's smiling with satisfac-
ton because her engagement with
Thompkins is broken" returned Ash
ley.
Good gracious, is her engage
ment broken?'
yes, didn't I mention 1t to you!
Thompkins told me several weeks
ago."
why in the world didn't you tell
me? don't see how you could be so
thoughtless and inconsiderate."
"Thoughtless and inconsiderate ?" re-
peatsd Ashley, startled from his usual
calm by his wifes sudden burst of vex-
alton. why, never supposed you
took such frantic interest in that
engagement. In fact thought you
didn't care much for poor old Thomp-
kins."
81 DON'T don't care anything about
either OF them-him or her!" exclaim-
ed Mrs. Ashley Historically, "but I've
been perfect goose"
When Ashley heard the story he
laughed so heartily that his wife con.
sidered him highly unsympathetic,
though she could not help laughing q
little herself.
Crows Raid on Golf Balls.