The Glasgow courier., 1916-07-07

ana subsequently shot questioning
LOOK at his wife. She was frowning in
considerable perplexity and biting her
URN. red lips. Count QuinnOx cOOlly
arose ana excused himself with the re-
mark that he was of to dress for din
hef. He also looked at his watch.
winch certainly was an act that one
would hardly have expected of a diplo-
mat
well, WELL" said Mr.. Blithers pro-
1oundly. Then he looked at his own
"atch-and settled back in his chair,
somewhat dogged compression about
MS Jaws. He was not the man to be
thwarted. You certainly have a cozy
httle place here. King" he remarked
a1ter a moment or two.
We like it," said King. twiddling
MS fingers behind his back. Humble.
but homelike."
Mrs. Blithers has been planning to
come over for some time. Mrs. King.
told her she oughtn't to put it off
oe heighborly, don't you know. That's
me. I'm for being neighborly with my
nelshbors. But women, they-well,
you know how it is. Mrs. King. Al
ways something turning up to keep
EN- from doing the things they want
to do most. And Mrs. Blithers has so
many sociable obi l beg pardon?"
Il was just wondering If you would
stay and have dinner with us. Mr..
blltllers.' said she, utterly helpless.
She couldn't look her husband in the
eye-and 1t was quite fortunate that
she was unable to do so, for it would
nave resulted in laughing duet that
could never have been explained.
why" said Mr.. Blithers, arising
and looking at his watch again, "bless
my soul, it is past dinner time, isn't
it? had no idea it was so late. Pom
my soul, it's good Of you, Mrs. King!
You see, We have dinner at up at
Blitherwood, and-I declare, it's half
past now. don't see where the time
has gone. Thanks! l will stay if you
really mean to he kind to poor old
beggar. Don't do anything extra on
my account. though-just your regular
dinner, you know. No. frills, if you
please" He looked himself over in
some uncertainty. Twill this rag of
lline dog
Pray do not think of it," she cried
THE men change. Of course. after
they've been playing tennis. but We
we-well, YOU see, you haven't been
playing she concluded quite breath
lessly.
At that instant the sprightly Feltons
dashed pellmell down the steps and
across the lawn homeward. shrieking
something unintelligible to Mrs. King
as they passed.
'They are dears." said Mrs. King.
'The-er-prince attracted by either
one Of emp he queried.
''He barely knows them, Mr.. Blth-
ers."
II see. Shouldn't think they'd ap-
peal to him. Rather light. l should
say-l mean up here" and he tapped
his forehead SO that she wouldn't think
that he referred to pounds and ounces.
II don't believe Maud knows 'em. az
the little one said. Maud is rather
1T is possible they have mistaken
come one else for your daughter" said
she very gently.
"1mpQeelble!" said he. with force.
They are coming back here for din
ner," she said, and her eyes sparkled
with mischief. Il shall put you be-
tween them, Mr.. Blithers. You will
fnd that they are very bright, ~attrac-
tive girls"
We'll see," said he succinctly.
King caught them up at the top Of
the steps. He seemed to be slightly
out Of breath.
"MAke yourself At home, Mr.. Blith-
srs. must get into something be-
sides these duds I'm wearing" he
said. "Would you like to-er-wash
up while we're''-
"No. thanks" interposed Mr.. Blith-
ers. "1'm as clean as whistle. Don't
mind me. please. Run along and
dress. both Of you. III sit out here
and-count the minutes" the last
with a very elaborate bow to Mrs.
King.
Dinners at half past g." said she
and disappeared. Mr.. Blithers re-
called his last glance at his watch
and calculated that he would have at
least fifty minutes to count. provided
dinner was served promptly on the
dot. So he settled himself in the big
porch chair and scowled more deeply
than before.
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