The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-09
what!

what she was talking about. Hadn't
any sisters myself, don't you know,
and never had learned much about
other fellows sisters; but, dash it,
knew something about faces, and I
would have staked my life on hers.
You can nearly always tell, you know.
But, anyhow, I thought I had better
go now.
got up. 81 say, you want to just
make yourself at home" said. And
if you don't mind, I'll see you at the
boat in the morning
She stood up, too, looking rather
surprised. You're not going away?"
"Oh, no; not out Of town." thought
that was what she meant. I added:
"And as l go out, III stop downstairs
and have some one come up and stay
with you"
She dropped to the arm of the chair,
her pretty face showing dispay.
"Oh, but see here! I'm running you
off know I am. Say, Mr.. Lightnut,
1 don't want to do that I thought
sure you were going to be here. Broth
er insisted you would be-"
Brother! Nice brother, indeed, for
her-poor little thing!
"Oh, you'll be all right" I said re-
assuringly. 'rm just going over to
the club, don't you know-not far
away"
She came right up to me and placed
a hand on each shoulder.
Honest Injun, now," she said-and
her smile was ravishing. Honest,
now, Mr.. Lightnut, you're going just
because I'm here. Say now, own up!"
And, dash 1t, there was nothing to
do but admit it.
Cali right" she said; and thought
her eyes flashed little. Then I go
to a hotel-that's ALT"
ga hotel! Why, you can't do that
oh, I say!"
why can't II" She was downright
angry could see it; and how dis
tractingly lovely she was with that
fame in her cheeks!
But she was just child-an inno-
cent little child; and how the deuce
could I ever make her understand?
l stammered: "Why-er-not in
New York, you know. They won't take
a lady in at this time of night. They"
She snapped her fingers. "Oh, 1
say, Mr.. Lightnut, play easier on that
grille and lady pedal; cook up fresh
gag! I tell you, I've put all that be-
hind me. Say, wait till you've known
me a little, and III bet purse you
never call me lady again! Lady!
Say, that's funny!"
And it certainly seemed to strike
her sense of humor. She gave me
sudden punch in the side that fairly
left me breathless, and her laughter
rang out birdlike, joyous. OF sud-
den I felt devilish awkward and fool
ish.
"Oh, please stop stringing me, Mr..
Lightnut-don't treat me like kid.
I want to get acquainted" Then her
bright face sobered. Say, was that
on the level-that about your going
to leave me? See here I'm not both
ering you, an I, Mr.. Lightnut?"
"Bothering me-" calculated. Both
ering ne? 1 should say not!"
I think I must have said it heartily
and convincingly, don't you know, for
her lovely face looked pleased.
Because if 1 an" she said earn
estly, "I'n fade away into my own lit
tie room there" Her glance ranged
toward her door, 'It's sure some
swell, that room"
$50 jolly glad you like it," I said.
"Well, I should say!" Then her
beautiful eyes looked at me full.
'You know, I didn't expect this-I
mean having room all to myself.
Never"
And then, while I gasped, she went
on, sweetly and calmly:
"Why, Mr.. Lightnut, Brother Jack
would throw seventeen thousand fits
if I went to hotel, because" She
laughed deliciously. well, promised
him that if he would let me come
home by New York would stay right
here with you and behave myself
Behave yourself!" echoed indig-
nantly. why, look here, do you mean
to say Jack Billings-your own broth
er, you know-thought you wouldn't
-er-do that at a hotel?"
Thought" Her laugh this time
was explosive. "No, he never thought;
it; he knew I wouldn't! He knew l
would be tearing around all night with
the boys-that's what!"
And dash me, if she didn't throw
herself back with kind Of swagger,
by JoVe!
"Why, you-you wouldn't do such a
thing!" I uttered family.
Wouldn't -" She Strengthened sud-
denly. and her lovely blue eyes mar
rowed at me. "Say, Mr. Lightnut, L