The Tomahawk., 1916-11-23

I hear talst you are one of the oldest
| patrons of the house."
''Thank you-thank you!" said John,
| completely embarrassed. Eyes, in
deed !-ha, ha. Oh, yes-yes-really,
we must be quite old friends, assure
you, Mrs.-Mrs.-"
"Mrs. Miller" smilingly prompted
| the little woman.
Eyes, all, yes-Mrs. Miller. Lovely
morning, Mrs. Miller" said John, edg-
ing past her and backing toward his
room.
But as Mrs. Miller was laughing out
| right, for some mysterious reason, and
gave no affirmation in response to his
| proposition as to the quality of the
| weather, John, utterly abashed and
nonplused, darted into his room and
closed the door. "Deucedly extraordi-
nary woman!" he thought; "wonder
| what's her ideal"
| He remained locked in his room till
the dinner hour; and, when he prompt
ly emerged for that occasion, there
was q noticeable improvement in his
personal appearance, in point of dress,
at least, though there still fingered
| about his smoothly shaven features a
certain haggard, care-worn, anxious
| look that would not out.
Next his own at the table he found
a chair tilted forward, as though in
reservation for some Aonored guest.
What did it mean? Oh, he remem-
bered now. Told the boy to tell his
mother he would have friend to dine
with him. Bertrand, blast the fel-
low WAS, doubtless, dining then with
a far-preferable companion-his wife
in palace car on the p, @. & st. L.,
a hundred miles away. The thought
was maddening. Of course, now, the
landlady would have material for a
new assault. And how could he avert
it? A despairing film blurred his sight
for the moment-then the eyes flashed
daringly. II will meet it like a man !"
he said, mentally-"yea, like states
attorney-I will invite it! Let her Go
her worst!"
He called servant, giving some
message in an undertone.
Eyes, SIR" said the agreeable serv-
ant; 'I'll go right away, sir,' and left
the room.
Five minutes elapsed, and then a
| voice at his shoulder startled him:
did you send for me, Mr.. McKin-
ney? What is it I can do?"
| "You are very kind, Mrs.-Mrs.-"
"Mrs. Miller" said the lady, with
a smile that he remembered.
''Now, please spare me even the
mildest Of rebukes. I deserve your
censure, but can't stand it, can't
positively" and there was pleading
look in Johns lifted eyes that changed
the little woman's smile to an express
sion of real solicitude. II have sent
for you," continued John, ITO ask of
| you three great favors. Please be
seated while I enumerate them. First
II want you to forgive and forget that
ill-natured, uncalled-for grumbling Of
mine this morning when you awakened
me-"
"Why. certainly" said the landlady,
again smiling, though quite seriously.
II thank you," said John with dig
nifty. "And, second" he continued
II want your assurance that my ex-
IRENE confusion and awkwardness on
the occasion Of our meeting later were
rightly interpreted"
"Certainly-certainly said the land
lady with the kindliest sympathy.
II am grateful-utterly," said John,
with newer dignity. "And then," he
went on-"after informing you that it
is impossible for the best friend I have
in the world to be with me at this
hour, as intended, want you to do
me the very great honor of dining with
me. Will your
"Why certainly" said the charming
little landlady-'and a thousand
thanks besides! But tell me some
thing of your FRIEND" she continued,
as they were being served. "What
| is he like-and what is his name
and where is hep
SWELL" said John warily "-he's like
all young fellows of his age. He's
| quite young, you know-not over
thirty, should say-a mere boy, in
| fact, but charlottesville"
"-Unmarried, Of course" said the
! chatty little woman.
"Oh, yes!" said John, in matter-of-
course tone-but he caught himself alb
ruptly-then stared intently at his
! napkin-glanced evasively at the side
face Of his questioner, and said-"Oh,
yes! Yes, indeed! He's unmarried
| old bachelor like myself, you know.
Ha! Hal"
$50 he's not like the young man
| here that distinguished himself last
| night?' said the little woman archly.
The fork in Johns hand, half.lifted
to his lips, faltered and fell back to-
ward his plate.
"Why, what's that?' said John in a
strange voice. II hadn't heard any
thing about i'll mean haven't heard