The Ordway new era., 1916-09-01

u
| the gentleman At her left. the nams
"Mr. James Sheridan. Jr." And from
that moment Roscoe had little enougf
cause for wondering what he ought q
reply to her disturbing coquetries.
Mr.. James Sheridan had been anx
iously waiting for the dazzling visitol
to "get through with old Roscoe" and
give a 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
hard-working 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 .'rich 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 Vertrees?" he asked.
These young married men are mighty
forward nowadays. but you mustn't let
em make you blush"
Am l 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 its your brother who is blush
i'm. I've thrown him into confusion"
How"
She laughed. and then, leaning to him
little, said in tone as confidential
as she could make it. under cover OF
the uproar. by trying 10 begin with
him n courtship l meant for your
This might well be n style new to
Jim; and it was. He supposed it
nonse.slcal 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.
too!'
She laughed again-in her way, SO
that he could not tell whether she was
laughing at him or at herself or at the
nonsense she was talking; and she
said:
But you see l don't care whether
get away with 1t or not. l wish you'd
tell me frankly il you think I've got
chance to get away with your
More like II you've got chance to
get away from me" Jim was Inspired
to reply. Not one in the world. espe-
cially after beginning by making fun
of me like that"
Il mightn't be so much In fun as
you think" she said. regarding him
with sudden gravity.
WELL" said Jim, in simple honesty.
"you're funny girl"'
Her gravity continued an Instant
longer. Il may not turn out to be
funny for you"
$50 long as you turn out to be any.
thing at all for me, l expect l can
manage to be satisfied" And with
that, to his own surprise, it was his
turn to blush. whereupon she laughed
again.
Yes" he said. plaintively, not
wholly lacking intuition, Il can see
you're the sort of girl that would laugh
the minute you see man really means
anything"
laugh" she cried, gayly. "Why,
1t might be matter of life and death.
But II you want tragedy, I'd better put
the question at once, considering the
mistake l made with your brother"
Jim was dazed. She seemed to be
playing little game of mockery and
nonsense with him. but he had
glimpses Of flashing danger In 1t; he
was but too sensible of being out
classed, and had somewhere a con.
sciousness that he could never quite
know this giddy and alluring lady, no
matter how long it pleased her to play
with him. But he nightly wanted her
to keep on playing with him.
Put what question" z" he said, breath
lessly.
las you are 4 new nelghbor Of mine
and OF my family she returned,
speaking slowly and with cross -ex-
aminer's severity. Il think It would be
well for me TO know at once whether
you are already walking out with any
young lady or not. Mr. Sheridan, think
well. Are you spoken forT'
Not yet" he gasped. Are your
"SoH she cried. and with that they
both laughed again; and the pastime
projected, increasing both In It's gayety
and in It's gravity.
Observing its continue nee. hr. Rob
ert I-auaborn. opposite, turned from a
I bTejy conversation With Edith and re-
marked coTertiy TO SIbyI that Mlsxyer-
trees was starting rather picturesque
~ with jim" And he added, lsnguid.
~, "Do you suppose she wouldrr