The Adair County news., 1913-12-10
AN UNPAID
DEBT
By MANTON HENDERSON

cutters were returning TO town. Ex-
pecttng an aunt whom I was to meet
and see through the city to her home,
l went to the station to meet her. I
didn't meet my aunt She had delayed
her coming. but I met with an adven-
ture
Those waiting for the train were
roped off to inspect those who left It
and to pounce on those we expected
when they came along. Among the last
was a young lady whose face the mo-
ment she saw me broke into a smile.
and, advancing to the rope, she drop
ped suit case she was carrying and,
clasping my hand, put up her lips to
be kissed. She was a stranger to me.
1 defy any man, be his intentions
the most scrupulOus, to have a pretty
girl put up her mouth to be kissed to
draw back. Why, it would be an In
suit to the girl. At any rate, kissed
the young lady, fervently since was
about 1t, and awaited developments. 1
confess l wondered should my aunt
come along what she would think Of
the proceeding. Then I was afraid she
would come along and bring about an
explanation before an explanation was
called for.
I'm so glad you've come" said the
girl. Did you get the telegram? I'm
tired out carrying this suit case
And, taking it up, she handed it to me
Have you got carriage? You have
changed ever SO much
Now, IL she had stopped for an an
swer to the first of these questions I
would have been in honor bound to
explain But she didn't, and, taking
the suit case from her, letting her do
all the talking, upon which she SEEM
ed bent, / escorted her to the street,
called carriage and. my conscience
prompting me to go no further, stood
still. She looked at me with wonder In
her big brown eyes and said:
"Why, what are you waiting for?''
This ratified me. and l got into the
carriage and shut the door.
where to, sir:'' called the driver.
L hesitated a moment, got out the
word Number" hesitated again, and
the girl supplied the information. Thep
we ratified away, feeling as though 1
had been committing a forgery and
expecting an arrest at any moment
Unfortunately the girl subsidized from
her loquacity, and 1 felt bound to say
something l thought it good time tc
confess-that Is, if / could pump up
the courage to do so.
II feel 1t my duty to tell you"-t
began.
"Oh, heavens! What is it? Any
one dead?'
This ratified me again. 1 hadn't the
sand to go on in the vein had start
ed. switched off,
"Oh, no." l said. mot that at all.
What 1 was going to say is that for a
few days ! shall be loaded down to
the guards with work and shall not be
able to show you the same attention
as if''-
Dear me. how you frightened mel
| know Uncle Ben Is quite Ill. and 1
feared you were going to tell me that
the poor old man had gone"
Not at all, not at all. l assure
you I had no such intention"
mopped my face with my handkerchief
All the while the carriage was bowl
ing toward the address given the cab
man, and was thinking Of that day
Of wrath when l should meet those
who would uncover my unattended de-
ception and make me an object Of
contempt. -- - -
DO you know" said my COMPANION.
turning to look at me with her face.
her lips dangerously near mine, that
had l not been looking for you I
wouldn't have known you"
You, too. are changed" l replied,
and a method Of saving myself flashed
into my brain. Why shouldn't pre-
tend to have made a mistake as well as
she? Splendid idea. Now was the
time. SO I continued, this time with
perfect confidence: But, Lou. the
change is for the better You were
pretty when saw you last Now you
ire beautiful"
I'm glad you continue TO call me by
ny first name" she replied Il was
lfraid you would Miss me-"
Great heavens. ratified again. had
struck her name. Instead
# wondering that l didn't call her
Alice or Evelyn or some name other
Ian her own, thus bringing out the
lOuble blunder. she was glad did 1t.
The carriage swerved to the curb. I
vas lost. In a moment persons would
re running out to meet the girl and
i've me away. Miserable me, what
hOuld l do? Oh. for a little more
ime.
Before we alight," she said. II wish
o say something. You won't feel hurt,
viii you?"
Certainly not! Go on"
please don't see me to the door.
hey don't know anything about this
Meeting. and | don't care at present
D have them know"
l gave mute thanks to heaven. "I
hink you are quite right" I said II
7ill remain in the carriage"
The devil had been sick and would