Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-03

peaceful state.
4Kittibudget, what the deuce is all this
about? You've been crying!"
@Supposing I have3" came muffled from
the pillows.
aWhat have you been doing to Thomasa'
"I3" she shot back, sitting up, her eyes
blazing. Gle kissed me, Dad, as he proba-
bly, kisses his English barmaids!'
kitty girl, you as pretty as a prirn-
rose | don't think Thomas was really ac-
countable.'
aAre you defending him9" blankly.
3No. The strange part of it is, l don't
think Thomas wants to be defended. A few
minutes ago he came to me and told me
what he had done. He is leaving"
The anger went out of her eyes, snuff
candle wise. aLeaving?'
Leaving. He asked me for the motor to
the station"
Leaving! Well, that's about the only
possible thing he could do, under the cir
cumstances. He has good excuse" Ex-
cuse! Kttys nimble mind reached out and
touched Thomas's Machiavellian inspira-
ton.
Hang it, Kitty, had to run out into the
lilacs to laugh! Can't this be smoothed
over some wayl 1 like that boy. | don't
care if he is a Britisher and sometimes as
simple as a fool. When think of the other
light-headed buffers who call themselves
gentlemen Pah! They drink my whis-
kies, smoke my cigars, and dub me an old
Mick behind my back. They run around
with silly chorus girls, and play poker till
sunup, and never do an honest days work.
1t takes brave man to come to me and
frankly say that he has insulted my daugh
ter"
aHe said that?" Behind her lips Kitty
was already smiling "You are acting very
strangely, Dad
II know. Ordinarily I'd have taken him
by the collar and hustled him into the road.
And if it had been one Of those young
bachelors who are coming down tonight,
I'd have done it. l like Thomas; and 1
don't think he kissed you either to affront
or to insult you"
@Indeed!" Jelly.
Il dare say l stole kiss or two in my
day
Back in the old country, when l was
lad. It's a normal impulse There amt
young man alive who can look upon pretty
girls face without wishing to kiss it. l
don't believe Thomas will repeat the ofense.
The trouble, Girl, is this: You've been living
in false atmosphere, where people hide all
their generous impulses because to be natur
al is not fashionable"
II marvel at you more and more. Is it
generous, then, to kiss girl without so
much as by your leave? If he had been
sorry, if he had apologized, l might overlook
the deed. But he kissed me and walked
away. Do you realize what such an action
means to any young woman with pride1
Very we'll If he apologies, he may stay;
but no longer on the basis of friendship. 1t
must be purely business. When my guests
arrive shall not consider it necessary to
ask him to join any of our amusements.
aPoor devil! He'll have to pay for that
kiss"
"Next l suppose you'll be wanting me to
marry him!" Kitty volleyed. But she wasn't
half SO angry as she pretended.
what! Thomas
@Ah, that's different, isn't it3 There,
there! I've promised to overlook the offense
on condition that he apologize and keep his
place. l have always said that you'd rather
have a man about than me-"
well, perhaps l could understand man
better"
go down to breakfast. l hear Mother
moving about. I'll ring for what need. l
must battle and dress. Some of the people
will motor in for lunch"
KILLIGREW, subdued and mystifed,
N went in search of Thomas, and discov-
cred him in almost the exact spot he had