Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-05-03

QeVll was II:
And Just then I remembered an
other clever idea OF Pugsley's-what
he said was a corking good way OF
diverting their minds.
81 say, you know" l said suddenly
and though l threw a whole lot OF
enthusiasm into my face in carrying
out his idea, l didn't have to try very
hard-''l think that's a ripping gown.
White IS ever SO much more your
ST., Lhan-than-"
by Jove, | swallowed just In timei
But it had reused her. l could see
her brighten.
OH" she said. Let me see-what
Is it you remembers" And she kind
of buttered, Perhaps l can tell from
that"
She paused expectantly.
"Oh, ] say, you know" And ]
twirled the hat feeling bit rattled
Why The deuce did she want to rub
1t in?
but I want you to tell me-" Her
beautiful eyes were teasing.
You know-it's black" | twirled
the hat faster.
"Black!" She stared, her exquisite
lips standing apart like the two petals
of a rose. why. I never wore black
in my life. You know you never saw
me In black"
feit hurt. I couldn't blame her for
wanting to appear to forget about 1t,
but still
She must have seen my face fall,
tor I know, by JCve, I could just feel
It kind of collapse, was that hurt
and disappointed. Her face softened
kindly and I took courage, for ny
devilislly alert mind just then hit up
On another explanation. l recalled
that she had thoushtlessly left the pa
jamas In my rooms. | also realized
with dtsmay that Foxy Grandpa han
promised, or rather the officers had
promised for him, that they should be
returned promptly, And, by Jove, l
had forgotten all about them!
Never mind" I said, thinking
aloud, as I frequently do. I'll tele-
rhone about them as soon as we get
. Wolhurst." Then terrible shock
struck me. "Oh, ! say, you didn't
bave your name on them, did you?"
ION what?" How kindly, even II
uuizzically, she was regarding me!
The big white hat shifted an inch or
two nearer. I realized with joy that
she was beginning to forget about be-
Ing put out with me.
why" looked about cautiously
and dropped my voice, though it was
not likely any one could hear above
the culver of the train. why, in
your black pajamas you left In my
room"
A kind OF little gasp was all I heard,
and then she wac on her feet and
looking mot at me, but above my
head-iooking away Off down the
lelgtl of the car. Somehow-why,
couldn't understands had weird,
horrible feeling CT abasement, as
though l had kille1 child, or had
done some other dashed unreasonable
thing like that. Her face had flushed
but now was deadly white. And then,
by Jove, | saw She was looking for
another chair.
jumped up at once and moved into
the, aisle.
I'm so sorry" I said miserably, so
sorry, dear, hurt you. I didn't mean
ever to speak of the pajamas. knew
you wanted to forget about the other
night, and knew you wanted ME to
forget, too"
"Oh, please" She shrank back,
her beautiful eyes like those of a
frightened deer. But it was the last
car, and l blocked the aisle. l didn't
realize at the time that | was doing
1t. 1t came to me afterward, and was
one of the things / kicked myself
about for hours, MORE or less. Just
at the moment I was so dashed wild
about setting myself right with her.
The only other thing l had presence
Of mind to remember was the near
ness about us OF a lot OF beady-eyed
cats, and so l drew nearer and low
cred my voice so none could hear.
For ] had another feeling of inspira-
ton as to what really was the matter
with her!
why, Frances-sweethears," !
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
her to hear above the train, II kntW
you are put out with me because you
found me gone the next morning, but
honestly, dear, | acted for the best
indeed, l did" And to be on the safe
side, I profited by another 1nspira-
ton: And, my darling girl, I'll never
mention the pajamas and the other
night-never any more-as long as We
live, nor the cigarettes nor cigars nor
whisky. Why, don't care II you
"TarrytoWn-all out for larry
town." came in a high tenor voice
from the end of the car, and some
thing bowled down the aisle and
brushed me aside. 1t was the trump.
Come on, Frances!" she exclaimed
sharply; our station" Next instant
they were streaking 1t for the door,
with me a good second. I saw Fran
ces look behind once with-oh, such
a look! Dashed If it didn't shrivel
me, you know-that sort. And, by
Joye, 1 knew Pugsley was right, and
that had failed to put the ball over!i
I was not six feet behind as they