The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-23


me about something, but what the
devil was It?
And just then I remembered an
other clever idea Of Pugsley's-what
he said was a corking good way Of
diverting their minds.
"I say, you know" I said suddenly
and though I threw a whole lot OF
enthusiasm into my face in carrying
out his idea, didn't have to try very
hard-"I think that's ripping gown.
White is ever so much more your
style than-than--"
By Jove, / swallowed just in time!
But it had reused her. I could see
her brighten.
"Oh!' she said. LET me see-what
is it you remember" And she kind
Of buttered, Perhaps I can tell from
that"
She paused expectantly.
"Oh, I say, you know!" And I
twirled the hat, feeling bit ratified.
Why the deuce did she want to rub
it in?
'But want you to tell me-" Her
beautiful eyes were teasing.
"You know-it's black" I twirled
the hat faster.
Black" She stared, her exquisite
lips standing apart like the two petals
of rose. why, never wore black
in my life. You know you never saw
me in black"
felt hurt. couldn't blame her for
wanting to appear to forget about it.,
but still
She must have seen my face fall,
for know, by Jove, I could just feel
it kind of collapse, I was that hurt
and disappointed Her face softened
kindly and 1 took courage, for my
devilishly alert mind just then hit up
on another explanation. I recalled
that she had thoughtlessly left the pa
jamas in my rooms. l also realized
with dismay that Foxy Grandpa had
promised, or rather the officers had
promised for him, that they should be
returned promptly. And, by Jove, I
had forgotten all about them!
Never mind" I said, thinking
aloud, as 1 frequently do. "I'll tele-
phone about them as soon as we get
to Wolhurst." Then a terrible shock
struck me. "Oh, I say, you didn't
have your name on them, did you?''
"On what?" How kindly, even If
ouizzically, she was regarding me!
The big white hat shifted an inch or
two nearer. realized with joy that
she was beginning to forget about be-
ing put out with me.
"Why-" 1 looked about cautiously
and dropped my voice, thor : it was
not likely any one could hear above
the culver of the train. Why in
your black pajamas you left in my
room"
A kind of little gasp was all heard,
and then she was on her feet and
looking-not at me-, but above my
head-looking away off down the
length of the car. Somehow-why, l
couldn't understand had weird,
horrible feeling Of abasement, as
though l had killed a child, or had
done some other dashed unreasonable
thing like that. Her face had flushed
but now was deadly white. And then,
by Joye, I saw she was looking for
another chair.
jumped up at once and moved into
the aisle.
I'm so sorry" I said mlseraDly, 80
sorry, dear, hurt you. I didn't mean
ever to speak of the pajamas. l knew
you wanted to forget about the other
night, and 1 knew you wanted me to
forget, too"
"Oh, please" She shrank back,
her beautiful eyes like those OF a
frightened deer. But it was the last
car, and I blocked the aisle. 1 didn't
realize at the time that 1 was doing
1t. It came to me afterward, and was
one Of the things 1 kicked myself
about for hours, more or less. Just
at the moment I was so dashed wild
about setting myself right with her.
The only other thing had presence
Of mind to remember was the near
ness about US Of a lot Of beady-eyed
cats, and so I drew nearer and low
cred my voice so none could hear.
For had another feeling Of insptra-
ton as to what really was the matter
with her!
"Why, Frances-sweetheart,'
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
her to hear above the train, Il know
you are put out with me because yol
found me gone the next morning, but
honestly, dear, 1 acted for the best
indeed, I did" And to be on the safe