The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-01-02
A QUESTION OF CASTE
BY BELLE MANDATES.


ly, but they had met in most uncon-
ventional way, and there seemed to be
a tacit, though unspoken. agreement
between them that their meetings
should be clandestine.
Cleo was naturally interested and
excited when she found the house
next to theirs, which had been vacant
for so long, had been sold and was
TO be occupied.
Her first surreptitious inspection of
one member of the new family was
from window overlooking their back
yard.
Johns, tall and straight, was critic
ally examining and testing stupen.
dous touring car.
Cleo's heart beat pleasurably. She
was born coquette, and presently,
attired in the most delectable of
white-embroidered linen gowns, white
shoes and chiffon hat, she sauntered
into the back garden and began pick
ing some flowers. Eventually she
gave sidelong glance. Cleo was not
conventional.
Won't you have rose?" she asked
With eager haste and thanks he
crossed the boundary line to the two
gardens.
Il think we should be neighborly,"
she said, with little laugh.
Il quite agree with you," he replied,
decorously, land since there is no one
present to introduce me, l will do my
self the honor of presenting myself,
Carter Johns"
My name is Cleo Rivers" she said,
with naivete. did you just move in
last night? We heard the place had
been sold.'
I'VE are only partly moved" he
said, smiling. II was anxious to see
If my new car came through safely.
l think it is in good shape. Do you
like to ride?"
Indeed do" she cried, enthusiast
tically.
He couldn't tell afterwards how it
really happened, or which one of them
first made the suggestion, but, any
way, he had an engagement to take
her out in the automobile that night.
He was afraid she would think him
presumptuous, but she had seemed
pleased, and blushed as she told him
she would have to meet him at the
stable-that they" would never con-
sent
She looked very elegant in her dark
attire, as she met him that night back
of the stable.
They quickly sped away from the
crowded streets, and when they came
to a road that was free, Carter "let
her out" in way that was intoxicat-
ing to Cleo.
He is simply grand!" she thought,
with little thrill of recollection
when she was safely back in her own
room.
The next afternoon as she was walk
ing through the park, he passed her in
his bluish-white car. She bowed, and
he lifted his hat courteously and
passed on. Before he had gone very
far his car stopped, and he got out to
investigate the cause. She came on
and up TO him
Something wrong?" she asked,
shyly
Not much out of gear. l will adj
just it in moment, May | take you
home?"
Certainly" she replied, joyously.
Cant we ride out into the coun-
try?" he asked, entreatingly.
She assented and they rode on out
into the open country, where speed
limit laws were not enforced. They
came home more slowly and senti-
mentally.
And Cleo in her little white bed that
night lay awake to>live over and over
again the joys Of this beautiful and
secreted time.
They met chance-directed in many
places, and the evening flights in the
big car were uninterrupted until fate
in the shape of settled rain preclud-
ed the carrying out of the usual pro-
gram.
There is a little summer house in
our garden, he said, wistfully, as she
came to the rear of the stable that
night to tell him how disappointed she
was. Cant we have a little visit
there?"
In the coy little arbored house,
listening to the soft music of the sum-
mer rain, Carters feelings reached
climax
"Cleo" he murmured, IL love you!"
But she had slipped from him and
sped across the lawn.
She spent the night crying over the
inditing of letter which she handed
to him over the hedge the next morn.
ing.
Il shouldn't have let you say that
last night. It's all mistake. The
first time I met you / guessed what
you thought-that was one of the
family. let you think so. I am maid
to Miss Lorraine. Forgive me.
CLEO"
Presently a district messenger
brought note to Miss Cleo Rivers.
Dearest Cleo: am the chauffeur!
Only the servants have moved in here
as yet. Meet me usual place tonight,