Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-04-11

fer you some refreshment," suggest
ed, rising. l knew it sounded devil
ish stiff; and knew, moreover, that
looked like a jolly muff. ct.
Perhaps WILL" she CHI Say,
don't urge me too hard, Nj. .shtnut;
you might embarrass me-"
l did not want to embarrass her
II thought perhaps a lemon soda
would refresh you," 1 explained. "Or,
II you will allow me, will have Jen-
kins make you one Of his famous self
ger lemonades. Perhaps, though. you
would prefer just plain"
halted in confusion. for she was
Laughing at me.
"A plain cup Of tea" she gurgled,
"or q creme de menthe!" And then
her laughter burst deliciously. Say,
DO you know, honestly. I'm only just
emitting en- to that dry humor OF
yours. You've had me fooled. You do
It with such a serious face; you know.
Say. it's greati"
tried to smile, but I knew 1t was
q devilish sickly go-the more 90. be-
cause just at that moment her slender
fingers discarded the remnant OF her
last cigarette and reached for a cigar.
Another instant, and she had deity
clipped and lighted 1t.
decided I wouldn't ring for Jeu-
kins. '
felt ashamed as I looked in the
cellarette. and wondered what the
deuce l should offer her. Couldn't
think Of anything had ever heard OF
boarding-school girls going in for ex-
cept ice-cream soda; and, dash It, /
didn't have any ice-cream soda. Near.
est thing would be little settler and
ginger ale. That would do. @
"oh. l say. I'm going to make you q
highball." / said. trying to assume =
frtsky. ocular air.
Her voice lifted in alarm. May.
may. Clarencs-not for met" she urged
hastily.
But it's only"
mo fixzy authorizations In mine
not on your life" She followed me
across the room. "Just give me the
straight, pure goods--anything. just
90 It's whisky" .t.a,
And before I could say O word-if,
indeed. could have said a word-shs
had selected a decanter OF Scotch, and
with cigar tilted upward In her tender
mouth, was absorbingly pouring q
shining stream of the amber fluid.
To see the slow curving of that
delicately nodded wrist. the challeng
ing fash of the saucy eyes OF blue
by Jove, 1t made me just forget all
about what she was doing till the
fluid ran over the brim. And then
before could intercept her, she had
lightly gestured her glass to mine
and In flash the stuff was gone.
Gone! A full whisky glass; and
recalled with a SILVER of horror that
1t was very high proof liquor-some
thing l seldom touched myself, but
kept on hand for certain of my
friends.
II say, you know" gasped in con
sternation. I'm awfully afraid tina,
will-er-will-" I gulped wordlessly
The coral lips curved scornfully.
Get me jingled?" She looked as she
might have II 1 had insulted her
Maybe so In those girlie-gtrlie days
you were trying to josh me about
but not since these two years I've
been at college" She shook her love
ly, bright head, and followed Ions
enjoyable pull at the cigar, projected
five perfect rings at frescoed cherul
in the ceiling.
She leaned forward eagerly.
Look here, do wish you would LEI
me call you 'Dicky.'"
"Oh, say-wili your" exploded
from my mouth.
''Will II" Her look made my bloot
leap. "You just watch me-DickyI
Oh, say, this is great; maybe 1t won'
take a fall out of old Jack-alwayi
| Dragging that you allow only two o.
three to call you that"
Il hope you will always call m,
Dicky," said--and said 1t very soft
ly By Jove. l could hardly keep from
taking her handl