The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-01-30

He never even saw her. His eyes
| lighted on Miss Patty's face and
stayed there. Mr. Sam was there. but
what could ne do? Mr.. Pierce walked
over to Miss Patty. took her hand,
said, Hello there!" and kissed her. It
was awful.
Most women will do anything to
save a scene, and that helped us, for
she never turned hair. But when
Mr.. Sam got him by the arm and led
him toward the stairs. she turned so
that the old cats sitting around could
not see her and her face was scarlet.
She went over to the wood fire-our
lobby is sort of big room with chairs
and tables and palms. and an open
fire in the winter-and sat down.
don't think she knew herself whether
she was most astonished or angry.
Mrs. Biggs gave nasty laugh.
Your brother didn't see you," she
said to Mrs. Van Alstyne. Il dare say
sister doesn't count much when a
| future princess is around"
Mrs. Van Alstyne was still staring
up the staircase. but she came to her
self at that. She had some grit in
her, if she did look like French doll
my brother and Miss Jennings are
very old friends" she remarked qui-
city. believe that was what she
thought, too. l don't think she had
seen the other red rose, and what was
she to think but that Mr.. Pierce had
known Miss Jennings somewhere? She
was dazed, Mrs. Sam was. But she
carried off the situation anyhow, and
gave us time to breathe. We needed it..
IF were his highness," said Miss
Cobb, spreading the Irish lace collar
she was making over her knee and
fancee to be more-er-dignified.
Those old Austrian families are very
naughty. They would not understand
our American habit of oscillation"
was pretty mad at that, for any
body could have seen Miss Patty
didn't kiss him.
IF by OSCILLATION you mean kissing,
Miss Cobb" l said, going over to her,
Il guess you don't remember the Aus
i trian count who was head waiter
fhere. If there was anything in the
sIway OF OSCILLATION that that member
of an old Austrian family didn't
know, I've got to find it out He
could kiss all around any American
ever saw!"
Y | went back to my news stand.
was shaking so my knees would hard
ly hold me. All could think of was
that they had swallowed Mr. Pierce
bait and hook, and that for time we
were saved, although in the electric
light Mr.. Pierce was a good bit less
Hike Dieky Carter than he had seemed
to be in the spring-house by the fire
Well, Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof"
Everybody went to bed early. Mr.
Thoburn came over and bought cigar
on his way upstairs, and he was as
gloomy as he had been cheerful before
We'll" l said, Il guess you won't
put dancing floor In the dining-roon
just yet, Mr.. Thoburn."
I'm not in a hurry" he snapped
ITS only January. and l don't want
the place until May. I'll get it wher
I'm ready for it. l had a good lool
at young Carter, and he's got toe
square jaw to run a successful neu
rasthenics home"
| went to the pantry shelf at ter
O'Clock and fixed tray of supper fol-
Mr.. Pierce. found some chicken anC
got bottle of the old doctors wine
had kept the key of his wine-cellal
since he died-and carried the tray III
to Mr.. Pierce's sitting-room. He ha(
the old doctors suite.
The door was open an inch or so
and as | was about to knock | hearc
girls voice. 1t was Miss Patty!
: How can you deny it?" she wa.
saying angrily 81 dare say you vii
even deny that you ever saw this let
ter beforel"
There was a minutes pause while
suppose he looked at the letter.
Il never did" he said solemnly.
Perhaps" said Miss Patty, "yo,
also deny that you were In Ohio th,
+, day before yesterday"
i was in Ohio, but positively as
sert-"
, Mr.. Carter, have asked my ones
| ton twice now and l am waiting 70
| an answer"
] But don't know the answer," n
said miserably. I'll assure YOU In
absolutely in the dark. don't know
/ what's In the letter. / haven't alwav
: done what should. dare saw. bu
my conduct in the state of Ohio durIn
r the last few weeks has been withou
/ stain-unless I've forgotten-but II
! had been anything very heinous. +
} remember. don't you Think"
/ Somebody crossed the room. and
paper rustled.
r Read that!" said Miss Patty's vote,
] And then silence for a minute.
/ Good Lordl" exclaimed Mr.. Plerc
! DO you deny that?'
} Absolutely" he said firmly. O.
have never even heard of the Reye
end Dwight Johnstone-"
!. And that is all you will say?" d
/ manded Miss Patty scornfully. eYc
). don't know there's a mistake va
. navar aau tho Iaftar haforat, ~,