The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-12
CHAPTER Vii.
ConGdenceS.

Condolences.
This beautiful creature had pro-
posed to me!
By Jove, that's what it amounted to
practically; and now, as she sald' 1t
was up to me. Yet I couldn't say a
word!
well, what must I do about the
other one?" she insisted.
The question reminded me of the
.entanglement to which her frank sim
pIicity had confessed. And she ex-
pected me, of all others, to tell her
what to do! Hooked up into the ra-
diant, crimsoned face as she bent
forward slightly, her lips parted, her
eyes eager-expectant. She was hang
ing upon my reply.
l coughed slightly. THAT question
is hardly fair, you know" I said mean
ingly. "You see, it hits me rather
personally"
"Oh!" she said.
nodded and tried to find her hand
as l looked oOWn.
$50 that's where the shoes pinch.
es!" And she whistled thoughtfully.
And just then my upward reaching
hand found hers. And yet no, 1t
couldn't be her hand, either; it felt
like the crash cover of the cushion
rough and fbrous. And yet, by Jove,
it was a hand, for it gave mine grip
that almost broke my fingers and
then dropped them. By the time
looked up, I saw only her little palm
resting upward on her knee.
It was funny; but had other things
to think about than puzzles.
She sighed. "Well, I'm the one that
can feel for you, Dicky." Here the sigh
lifted and her laugh pealed like a
chime of silver bells. 81 guess Broth
er Jack doesn't know as much about
your affairs as he thinks, does he
eh? Why, he told me you were more
afraid of a girl than Of mad dog.
And slapping grip fell on my
shoulder that made me tingle from
head to foot. And yet I wished she
wouldn't do that; if she did 1t again,
[ should just lose my head knew L
should.
But here she rose, stretched her
arms, and dropped into the wicker
armchair. She hitched it nearer to
me-
"You see, it's like this she began,
assuming confidential air. You
know nay sisters up at school at Cam
bridge, too"
ded.
"why, yes. Well, it's her room
mattel"
"Eh? I don't believe /" / paused
perplexedly.
That's right-her roommate, I tell
you! And in a day or two she's COM
ing home with Sis for visit, want
you to come Np for a week end
won't you-and look her over-l
mean. see her and tell me what you
think of her. You'll go crazy about
her-oh, 1 know you will"
I entered protest. "Oh, say now,
you know, there's only one girl ever
saw would care to look at twice"
She smiled adorably. "Oh, don't
know all about how you feel? But
just want you to see this girl-she's
the prettiest and swellest that's been
around Boston for many day; and
on Sunday morning she could give
the flag to all the avenue. Why
Dicky, she's from China!"
"China!" must have looked the
scorn I felt. ooh, come now, you don't
think a Chinese girl is"
mot Chinese, Dicky." In her Gag,
erness, she moved so near, the silk OF
her pajamas brushed my hand. shes
English. Her dads the British Gov
ernor General of Hong Kong-Colonel
FRANCIS Kirkland, you know-beefy-
looking old chap with white mutton
chops-I saw his picture.
Hong Kong! I wondered if she
knew Mastermann, the chap who had
sent me the red pajamas. Why, dash
If of course she would; for this fel
low Mastermann was out there on gov
ernment business, and he and the
governor must be thrown together a
good deal.
Her musical laugh broke in on my
specuIations. But the funniest thing
is, Dicky, her names the same as
mine"
Her name. By Joye, and until this