The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-10

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fing complacently.
/ looked him straight in the eye.
Frankly, don't, If you must know"
olurted. Then I screwed my monocle
tight and Strengthened forward. by
Jove, 1 think you ought to be ashamed
of yourself, you know"
"Wh-what's that?-Lightnut! He
turned a beet color and grasped the
arms of his chair.
ooh, do I stood up and he fol-
lowed. 81 think if that poor child had
had little-er-forbearance and
kindness-that sort of thtng-oh, dash
it, I just think you've been Internally
harsh always-yes, do"
We'll, I'll be" He swallowed it,
neck forward, and stood painting bit.
Harsh, eh?" he jerked at me. UNI"
He stood there, his feet braced apart,
his white brows beetling at the floor.
Harsh" He cooked his head on one
side, thrusting out his heavy under
lip. Then came a sniff and grunt,
and oh, he looked black!
And just then came quick breath,
and I caught murmur: Il wonder
now if, after all, that is true! BY
George, they say children and" The
mutter trailed off. Here, here, my
boy-sit down." he exclaimed sudden
ly; and he made me.
81 want to thank you, Lightnut," he
said impressively. "It may be that
you are right. Perhaps the better
course would be gently to reason with
Francis"
"Oh, judge, am sure Of it" urged
feelingly.
"Well, well, my boy-weIl see." He
patted me on the knee. Pm going
to try your way-by George, I'll do it
tonight" His eyes seemed to hold
me with a more kindly and personal
interest. "Do you know 1 can't tell
you how glad I am that you find so
much in Francis to like; indeed, am
delighted" Sill studying me atten-
lively, he musingly reached for fresh
light "In point Of fact, Lightnut, l
am free to say 1 hope the intimacy
begun between you two will grow clos
er. 1t would be laundering good
thing for Francis and great comfort
to me-"
And, by Jove, he smiled at me-a
devilish pleasant smile!
So 1 just leaned forward and made
a go:
Thanks awfully; and-er-by the
way" Then 1 stuck, boggled wildly
an instant and went on: That is to
say, this intimacy, you know-has it
been too short to Justify" l gulped.
'Er-would you be willing to trust
And I lost the dashed idea again,
noundered bit and took another shy:
ooh, say, you know, have your
permission to speak to Frances-er-
you know2"
"You speak to Francis ?"-he just
leaped toward me "Why, my boy!"
And he was wringing my arm with
one hand while the other clasped my
shoulder. my de-e-ear boy-why,
Lightnut!" By Jove, he almost
gushed! You're not joking now, are
you?" He peered anxiously into my
face. "No, by George, believe you
really mean it," And he went to
pumping like mad. How awfully
good of u-self-sacrihcing is the
word! Are you quite sure you don't
mind?"
"Mind?" By Jove, 1 think I looked
what 1 felt at such dashed silly
question.
well! we'll! we'll! My dear young
friend!" And oh, he went on in the
most disgusting way-why, dash it,
you would have thought l was doing
him some favor! guessed, though,
that it was the usual custom, but it
seemed rum-for l should have
thought that in giving your daughter
away, you put the thanks up to the
other fellow. But Pugsley says the
rule varies-Quite often varies! Any
how, felt so gratified that had TAX.
en- the honorable course and spoken
to her father-understand so many dc
not at all, you know. AS 1t was, 1t
gave me quite a comfortable glow OF
pride, and I reflected how much bet,
ter it always is to follow the wise
dictates of your what's-its-name!
AsBy Jove!" 1 thought, as I nodded
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