The Meeker herald., 1913-02-08

up. boy! Look as II you were seeing
ghosts. doesn't be. Molly7 Miss Nc
Coiiourh. Mr.. Van Holden. Did you
order lunch. old chap?'
~ did" said Van Holden steadily.
IT ought TO he here IN GlomenI
Mrs. BerdeI. nit here. then the light
won't I've In your eyer"
He changed seats with her deity and
faced ncrOss the white tabieclOth. me-
cusing gray eyes under wide brim-
med gray hat with pale r0ses. There
was hint of color In the face.
Say. van." cried the Frepressibie
Borden. you ought to- hear Miss Nc.
Coliough's story Of the way she wis
done by an antique dealer today
promised to hold desk Or something
for her
Don't tell on me-" pleaded Miss Sic.
ColiouGh nervously. please. MIR. Ber
den."
"Oh. the jokes not on you" aaid fser
den consolingiy And when she went
there she found chap engaged In buy-
ing her piece-a very decent looking
chap. she says"
"Do mike him hush. Molly" Miss
McCollough's glass Of water answered
despairing and surreptitious push BY
lowing across the tablecloth on to
Berden's knees
Miss Mccullough gasped.
"Oh. that's all right" aaid Berden.
jumping up. He beckoned a waiter
and presently resumed his seat and his
story.
Chap was nwfuIly good looking" he
ratified on. "weli dressed manner
whnt was his manner. Molly? Oh. yes
the perfection Of Indifference and the
dearest SMILE"
The quick crimson swept M to the
gray hat brim. but Rerden was merci
less.
"She insisted on having the thing: 40
did he She spoke Of paying $40 for II
He let out that ne was getting 1t for
$50 tell you those dealers are ragu
lar sharks So she didn't take II. and
listen TO this. vnn Holden-she says
she's willing to lose the furniture for
the sake of the ndventure-says she's
found her affinity"
"for PHYS snke. Robbie. hush!" cried
his wife Cant you zee you're wor
rying Nora? DO cat your lunch"
Ibid the man get the desk. Miss Nc.
Colloueh2'' inquired Van Holden. with
courteous interest.
Probably 80 left him there" abe
answered vindictively. mir. Rerien. II
the old Hotel Royal open to visiiors?"
why don't you go back and seer
ooh t.x In lot.
emily.
.-rhe hotel.' she inquired. surprised.
mo: the antique store
.Recause am not suficiently inter
ested.'' Van Holden smiled confident
| ~ ind applied hlmself to the salad
With the arrival Of the 0nRer bowia
the conversations by easy stages. 70
which Berden's new motor. the Inst
regatta and a projected, house party
across the lake were discussed. came
bnck to Miss McCoiiough's adventure.
$50 yon think the man bought yonr
-desk?" said Van Holden. ''if he
dldn't-Tli wnger he will. Only It was
not desk but davenport"
Mrs. Borden arose. shaking ont her
skirts. .If he saw his affinity as she
siw hers. she lnughed ne may ndVs
bought it for her snke."
81 was thinking Of that" said Van
Holden.
"And some day" said Mrs, Rertien
teasinsly. "she may sit on 1t before
his library fire-in soft gray gown
the davenport WINS to be upholstered
In dull green. YOU know"
"DOnt be silly. Molly. We shall he
late II you tnik no long" Miss Me
Coliongh insisted feverishiy.
well. you never cnn tell" said Ber.
den "Anything might happen. eh.
van?''
~ should think that was quite posi-
ble." said Van Holden.
"Of COURSE" said Berden. "Come mp
and see us. old chap"
Were going to motor out to West
End for dlnn-r tomorrow night Don't
\ you want to comey echoed his wife.
~ do said Van Holden earnestly.
"Rnt Miss Mccullough hasn't asked
me yet"
"wml yon conner asked Miss Nc
Collough. with level defiance and
something else In her gray eyes.
That day Mr.. Montague sold the
davenport
Origin Of the Manor.