The Washington herald., 1912-08-25

MI DdlCnclOr, SdlQ she.
do WHAT" asked the Watermelon
leaning forward The Watermelon
never lacked self-assurance under an,
circumstances, and before a pretty cir
it merely grew in adverse ratio to tn,
girls years and in direct ratio to he,
good looks. Henrietta was not pretty
but she had charm and grace and gooc
breeding, and a combination of tn.
three sometimes equals prettiness.
Make us believe that you are a.
lazy as you are trying to-"
IF can't do it, | won't try" laugh.
ed the Watermelon. But you can't dc
IT, either"
DO what" q
Make me believe that you are tht
generals daughter" returned the Wat.
ermelon, letting his voice fall, gent,
and softly. The general was busy al
that moment preventing the car from
climbing a tree and trying to decide
between Maine and Virginia as the
best place for the Watermelon to in
vest in his country estate. Personally
he preferred Maine in summer and Vir-
ginia in winter. Was it therefore pre-
ferable to roast in summer and be
comfortable in winter, or to freeze in
winter and enjoy yourself in summer
Don't l look like him?" asked Hen
rietta, wishing that she had not made
the conversation quite so personal thus
early in their acquaintance.
you look like him." admitted the
Watermelon. Out"
Henrietta laughed family. "You
wouldn't take me for his sister. would
your" she questioned. fearing he would
say yes. William Hargrave Bachelor
had spent his youth peddling papers
and backing boots A frank disregard
for all social graces and hypocrisies
was doubtless one of his most pro-
nounced characteristics. The little So
cial amenities would hardly be required
in the strenuous existence of newsboy
and bootblack.
For his granddaughter" said the
Watermelon.
"Of course" said the general. aloud,
Maine has finished shooting in win
ter"
None of Maine for mine" declared
the Watermelon conclusively. Maine
is prohibition State"
The general frowned. You don't
drink, | hope, young man."
Drink" said the Watermelon, max
ing Henrietta think unreasonably Of a
minister, Drink causes a psychology
cal condition which each man should
experience to obtain a clear insight into
the normal condition of the mind He
paused impressively and Henrietta felt
almost compelled TO say Amen for
what reason she did not know. But"
added the youth in the solemn tones of
the benediction, when l get-lit, | like
to do it on whisky and not poison"
The general. who had intended a
scathing reply, and firm but gentle
counsel to lead back to the narrow
path this promising young man hover
ing on the brink of ruin, with all his
glorious possibilities, found himself
agreeing.
The car had reached the top of the
steep hill, and suddenly left the trees,
the narrow, woodland road, with the
columbine and wild roses nodding at
them from the underbrush. and swept
out on to wide, well-kept driveway,
with smooth rolling lawns on each side
and a majestic white building as a
GROWING glory on the top of the hill.
Grandview did not belle its name
High on the topmost ridge. it looked
over valley and woods and streams be-
yond to farther hills. peak after peak,
range after range, fading into blue
shadow against the sky. 1t was a big,
square, garish building. gaunt and I'M
lovely among its lovely surroundings.
There were two porches, one upstairs
and one below. They were filled with
chairs and gay, brightly fringed ham,
mocks. Behind the hotel was a stable
and garage. white and gaunt and
square like the main building.
1t was the dinner hour and in the
country there is never any need to urge
one TO the table. So. save for a man
and a girl, waiting on the steps, there
was no one in sight.
There are the Bartletts now" cried
Henrietta, as the train of cars approach
ed the porch. Poor dears, we have
kept them waiting"
Sunday"
Nothing else to do" suggested Hen
rietta, but eat"
The car stopped and she started to
alight, but the Watermelon was be-
fore, offering his hand with a grace
Dleu Vi dpSoiule INCONSISTENCIES OF
self.
"Alphonse can take your car to the
garage and fill it with gasoline" said
the general. He always felt that after
he had done his best to put car out
Of order for good. he practically owned
the car and its owner.
"Aw. don't bother" protested the
"Tush, tush, man, it is no bother"
and the general turned to the coldly re-
Spectful Alphonse.
Henrietta had started toward the
steps and the Watermelon turned to
follow her, when he saw her standing |
On the top step. looking straight at |
MIN across Henrietta's shoulder. His
irst impulse was to stand and stare, his |
second, to turn and run back to Mike
and James and his old clothes, his
bird, which he followed blindly, was
% stumble forward, hat in hand. not
rom any respect for woman in the alb
tract, but just for her, her tiny feet,
Ter small white teeth, her dimple She
would not come up to his shoulder by
It least six inches, she was very slen-
Ter. and in her high-waisted, yellow
rock, she seemed mere wisp Of girl.