The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-08-12

call society queen.
Lord" he growled, "are you trying
&c ring social standing in on meat
this stage of the game?"
"Ir Won care to put it that wav." shT
answered more seriously, II certainly
am"
What rot!"
Yes? Yet I notice you didn't come
across to speak to me until Governor
Robertson had gone away. And you
never have thought to introduce him
to me when you and he have passed
here together. He has been governor
of New York. He may some day be
president. Would 1t make any sort OF
hit with him to have his brother-in-law
marry a telephone girl that half his
political friends have always been try.
ing to jolly? Would he care to say to
Mr.. Neligan, for instance: Remember
that little hello girl you wanted to
kiss and who slapped your face for II?
Well she's my wife's sister-in-law.
DON'T" exclaimed Tom Blake. at
isn't true. And"
"And" pursued Wanda, would your
sister call on me at my boarding
house? Would she ask me to come
and see her."
would she?" cried Tom, clustering
to drown a twinge of reasonable
doubt. you bet she would! You don't
know Grace. She's all right AS white
as they make them. If she knew |
loved any girl at all-no matter who
she'd be the very first to put her arms
around her and--and-"
"Then," said Wanda gently, don't
tell her; and keep your ideal"
"Oh!" he scoffed, nettled, "you
think"
II think" she finished, I'VE belong
in the twentieth century and not in
Laura Jean Libbey novel. l like you.
You're all right-except what hap
pened to you. But I'm not in your
class. had an education. A real
one. A pretty good school and all that
before father died. But it's hard
cash that scores every time over edu.
cation. All education can do for a girl
today is to make her sick to get out
of the class her bank account puts her
in. That's why I'm here and why I've
got to talk and act like this. 1t makes
1t easier. It's a sort OF armor Things
don't hurt so much"
Don't say such things. They hurt,
Isn't there any more congenial work
that you could take up? With your
education, you could"
81 could starve in a dozen daintily
genteel ways. I started my profession.
al life as a stenographer. But soon
found it was pleasanter to work for
corporation. You see, a corporation
doesn't try to kiss you or want to take
you out to lunch. Don't look disguised
please. I'm right in not marrying
you. I've got as much pride in my
own way, I guess, as you have. Maybe
more"
Pride doesn't come on in this scene
at ALL" he protested. Look here,
Wanda. hate to repeat myself SO
often and to make a specialist of my.
self on a single subject. But you've
got to marry me. love you. Just
say yes and save US both a whole lot
Of trouble. Pleased"
She shook her head until the metal
band that held the receiver to her ear
threw off a dozen silvery reflections
from the dusk of her hair.
Then" he demanded, give me one
good sane reason for saying no."
ooh, haven't given you enough rea.
sons?"
Punk reasons, every one Of 'em. A
good reason, said"
There Is one great reason" she
said slowly. zone that I haven't told
you"
"You mean you don't care for me?'
Il didn't say so. We needn't go into
that. But L"
Buz-Z-zl
With little sigh she turned to the
transmitter.
yes" she droned. Eyes. Mr.. Stand
ish is stopping here. No. don't think
he's come back from the capitol yet
No. I'm sure he hasn't Shall | tell
him to call you up when he comes in:
No? A'ri."