The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-06-08

the gentleman az ner left, the name,
"Mr. James Sheridan, Jr." And from
that moment Roscoe had little enough
cause for wondering what he ought to
reply to her disturbing coquetries.
Mr.. James Sheridan had been any
lousy waiting for the dazzling visitor
to get through with old Roscoe and
give q bachelor a chance. "Old Ros-
coe" was the younger, but he had al
ways been the steady wheel horse OF
the family. AS their father ~habitually
boosted, both brothers were capable.
Woodworking young business men,
Physically neither was of the height.
breadth or depth Of the father. Both
wore young business mems mustaches,
and either could have sat for the tailor
shop Autographs OF young business men
wearing erich suitings In dark mix
lures"
Jim, approving warmly Of his neigh
boris profile, perceived her access Of
color, which increased his approba-
ton. whats that old Roscoe saying
TO you. Miss Yertrees?" he asked.
These young married men are mighty
forward nowadays. but you mustn't let
'em make you blush"
Am | blushing?" she said. "Are
you sure?" And with that she gave
him ample opportunity to make sure.
repeating with interest the look
wasted upon Roscoe. Il think you
must be mistaken" she continued. II
think it's your brother who is bush
ing. I've thrown him into confusion"
How"
She laughed, and then, leaning to him
a little, said in a tone as confidential
as she could make il. under cover Of
the uproar, by trying to begin with
him a courtship meant for you!"
This might well be a style new TO
jim; and it was. He supposed il Il
~nonsensical form of badinage, and yet
it took his breath. He realized that he
wished what she said to be the literal
truth, and he was instantly shared by
that realization.
by George!" he said. II guess
you're the kind Of girl that can say
anything-yes, and get away With it,
tool"
She laughed again-in her way, so
that he could not tell whether she was
laughing at him or at herself or ut the
nonsense she was talking; and she
said:
But you see / don't care whether /
get away with it or not. | wish you'd
tell me frankly If you think I've got a
chance to get away with you?"
More like if you've got a chance to
get away from met" Jim was inspired
to reply. Not one in the world, espe-
cially after beginning by making fun
Of me like that"
Il mlghtn't be so much in fun as
you think" she said, regarding him
with sudden gravity.
well" said jim, in simple honesty,
you're a funny girl!'
Her gravity continued an instant
longer. II may not turn out to be
funny for you"
$50 long as you turn out to be any
thing at all for me, / expect | can
manage to be satisfied" And with
that, to his own surprise, it was his
turn to blush, w~hercupon she laughed
again.
Yes" he said, pialntively, not
wholly lacking intuition, Il can see
you're the sort Of girl that would laugh
The minute you see a man really means
a%nything!'
Laugh" she cried, gayly. why
1t might be a matter Of life and death
But IL you want tragedy, I'd better pu'
the question at once, considering the
mistake | made with your brother
Jim was dazed. She seemed to be
playing a little game of mockery and
nonsense with him, but he had
gllmpses OF n flashing danger in it; he
was but too sensible Of being out
classed, and had somewhere a con
seriousness that he could never quite
know this giddy and alluring lady, nc
matter how long it pleased her to play
with him. But he nightly wanted hel
to keep on playing with him.
Put what question:" he said, breath
lessly.
AS you are a new neighbor Of mine
and of my family she returned
speaking slowly and with a eross-ex
aminer's severity, 81 think 1t would bt
well for me to know at one whether
you are already walking out with any
young lady or not. Mr.. Sheridan, thinf
well! Are You spoken for?"
Not yet" he gasped. Are your
"No.' she cried, and with that they
both laughed again; anG the pastimt
proceeded, increasing both in its gayetJ
and in its gravity.
Observing its continuance, Mr.. Rob
ert Lamhorn. opposite, turned from 9
lively conversation with Edith aud re
marked covertly to Sibyl that Miss.yer
trees was starting rather picturesque
iy with jim" And he added, ianguid
ly, "Do you suppose she would?"
For the moment Slbyl gave no sigr
of having heard him, but seemed inter
ested in the clasp of a long "rope' OF
pearls, a loop Of which she was allow
ing TO swing from her fingers. rest