Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-08-28
LUCID AS HER SEX
Confusion Of Roses and Middle
Names Importing in Matri-
monial Affairs.
by ETHEL HARRINGTON.


TO him what is that? Oh, you poor
child. ! wish l could" Here fol-
lowed long explanation about
mamma" and friends to dine," to
which Miss Claire's guest paid scant
heed He had risen, looking with I'M
mistakable interest at a small photo
graph With a hasty glance. to make
sure he WIS unobserved, he studied
the pictured face, winsome to a de-
gree even in the photograph.
It's too good a face to be hard,
and cold. and tickle" was his verdict.
Tho picture continued to smile up at
him in the most disarming fashion,
and so intent did he become that he
failed to notice Miss Claire's return,
until she stood at his side. He set
the photograph down. turning over
in his mind several things a fellow
might say under the circumstances,
yet somehow they all stuck in his
throat.
Perfect likeness, don't you think?"
commented Miss Claire, when the ST.
lence had lasted as long as good
manners permitted. Did you know
it was she at the 'phone?"
mo" trying not to look interested.
She is sick and alone" Miss
! Claire's tone was half tragic.
All there was no attempt, this
time, at indifference.
Neither of you will be frank with
me-" complained the mutual friend
signing. Il don't know what it is all
about, but I'm sorry it happened"
Lucid, as your SEX" laughed the
young man shortly. still, you are
no more in the dark than L. nor is it
quite so rough on you"
Can it be something your cousin
has done?"
"They don't even know each
other"
Miss Claire folded her arms, de-
handing with judicial air, Gordon
Hearst Mitchell. if you could straight
en- it out. would you? Enough, call
this afternoon" she laughed gaily at
his look Of indecision, adding before
he could formulate objections: Put
your pride in your pocket. or wher-
ever it can be conveniently hidden,
and do as tell you"
Impossible; I've not seen her for
three months"
sit down! That's more sociable
Now listen; Gerda, suffering from a
severe cold, is alone in the fiat, has
been for a week. The heavy storm
prevented her asking anyone to take
pity on her before. 1t is the psyche
logical moment. She is so lonely
that she intimated a welcome for hel
worst enemy if he'd only call"
Did she? By George, you are a
brick" The balance of Mr.. Mitch
els remark was lost, as he struggled
into his overcoat.
A half-hour later found him face
to face with Gerda Muir, and so real
was, the girls establishment on seeing
her visitor that for a moment she for.
got her role, and was neither hard
nor cold.
The maid did not tell me-" she
began, recovering her composure.
Il told her not; but learning you
were sick and deserted. as it were, by
your family, | came"
Most charitable of you. Will you
have tea? 1t is cold out"
Thanks; / like the weather; but
when people take upon themselves
the same characteristics, and sudden
ly freeze, it's not quite so pleasant" "
The girls mouth curved into a sar-
castle little smile. Has she really
frozen? Well, fancy you will sur
vive. Put the tray here, Nora" turn
ing her attention to the maid
Il brought yen some CT your favor
ite flowers" pursued Gordon, display.
ing a few exquisite American beauty
roses. but the girl scarcely vouch,
safed them a look.
The perfume is so-overpoweI~
ing" she remarked, growing a shade
paler, "One or two lumps?" posing
the sugar tongs in the air.
None" returned the young man
gloomily. He would have enjoyed
shaking her for pretending ignorance
Of his taste, only she seemed more
adorable than ever with the sugges
ton of languor due to her cold. She
kept the conversation skimmine
merely the surface OF things, and
though several times he essayed tC
introduce the personal note, she
evaded II lightly. At length, tugginl
angrily at his msstache, he rose tC
go. His hostess. glancing at the
clock, suddenly became more cordial
Don't go yet. am expecting &
friend. | know you will be charmed
when you find out who"
Il came TO see you"
And Unexpectedly reap your re
ward for disinterestedness. Their,
she is now" as the bell rang. Mis-.
Muir hurried into the hall, where
writing her small teeth, she resolved
IL won't show l care. He shall
never know but what | was flirting
too. To dare 20 bring me roses agaiI