Middletown transcript., 1914-06-27

"I thought you told me that you
wanted to be thrilled" l observed
meekly. The fact was that a realiza-
ton Of my own audacity had been
growing upon me ever since the event,
and / could not but admit that my
scolding was more than justified.
"But with an unknown man." said
Agnes. "And Frenchman, too. You
know what sort Of reputation French
men have"
"My father was a Frenchman,"
answered coldiy.
Estelle kissed me. well, my dear,
III say no more about it," she con-
cluded. "And / must confess you GER
tainly were a mascot, for you won
big prize for him. He ought to have
odered you a share in it." Her face
lit ND. "Ah, doubtless that was why
he hurried away afterward without
waiting to speak to us-he didn't
want to divide with you"
~It is not true" l exclaimed hOtly.
HE was a gentleman. He knew in
stinctiveiy that l would not have &C.
cepted any share in the prize. He"
But my protests, died away upon my
Nps. The fact is, was furiOUsly an
CRY with the unknown; angry first,
because l had so passively permitted
that airy Irritation on the part Of a
complete stranger; then, again, be-
cause Of the unceremonious nature Of
his departure, without mentioning his
name. That was no way to treat Anne
Ives, who generally gave as good as
she got, better, and was not used to
cavalier treatment. Smarting under
the sting of my humiliation, longeG
for another encounter with the un-
known that l might prove to him that
he had held me In too cheap estima-
ton
A few days later on the very eve
of the Coronation, an answer came
from the Lord Chamberlain to the let
ter which Estelle Christie had sent
him, asking for seats in the Abbey as
the accredited representative Of Cedar
Plank, Iowa. It was Of the most for
NAL character, and briefly regretted
that he had no seats in the Abbey to
place at her disposal. Estelle wept
after she had read it.
at is't for myself 1 care at all" she
sobbed. "But how can ever face the
citizens Of Cedar Plank, Iowa, again,
and say that 1 could not obtain per-
mission to witness the Coronation.
when they have elected me special
delegate to represent them, by a plu-
rality of seventy-hve?'
Estelle had been so sure Of obtain
ing leave that she had not even pur-
chased a seat upon any Of the high
stands that had been erected through
out the city, from which one could
at least obtain a view of the process
sion. Now it would be impossible.
had an inspiration.
Listen, EsteIlel" l exclaimed. do
you know what l have always found ?
That If you want anything done for
you you must do it yourself. It's no
use applying to anybody else. Dan
gers exist" I continued, rising to a
heroic pitch, 'just to be conquered.
Let us apply In person at the AoDey
doors"
But suppose they turn US down, -
said Estelle, ceasing to weep and re-
garding me with eyes wide with won
der.
Then, at least, We shall have tried
before accepting defeat" answered,
bravely. But we shall not fail. No,
am confident of success. Have l not
told you that I am a mascot? 1 al
ways bring others l1ck"
Estelle began to catch the contagion
of my mood. I'VE will" she cried, her
spirits rising with the rapidity Of the
thermometer after a thunder-shower
on a warm day. We'll start tomor-
row early, so as to be an hour ahead
of time"
I laughed her to scorn. Come
herel" 1 cried, and dragged her to the