The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1916-11-16

/ hear that you are one of the Oldest
patrons of the house."
"Thank you-thank you!" said John,
completely embarrassed. "Yes, in
deed !--ha, ha. Oh, yes-yes-really, |
we must be quite old friends, l assure |
you, Mrs.-AIrs.-"
Mrs. Miller" smilingly prompted |
the little woman.
eyes, ah. 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 idea !"
He remained locked in his room till
the dinner hour; and, when he prompt
ly emerged for that occasion, there
was a noticeable Improvement i'm his
personal appearance, in point of dress,
at least, though there still fingered
about his smoothly shaver features
certain haggard, care-worn, anxious
look that would not out.
Next his own at the table he found
chair tilted forward, as though in
reservation for some honored 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 fell
low was, doubtless. dining then with
a far-preferable companion-his wife
in palace car on the F., c. & 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 a states
Attorney will invite it! Let her do
her worst!
He called a servant, giving some
message IN an undertone.
Yes, sir" said the agreeable serv-
ant; "T'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 ne, Mr.. McKin-
ney? What is it 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
censUe, but 1 can't stand it can't
positively" and there was n pleading
look in Johns lifted eyes that changed
the little woman's smile 10 an express
sion of real solicitude. II have sent
for you" continued John, "tO ask Of
you three great favors. Please be
seated while I enumerate them. First
II want you TO forgive and forget that
ill-natured, urcalled-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
81 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 have
in the world to be with me at this
hour. as intended, 1 want you to do
me the very great honor of dining with
me. viii your"
"Why certainly" said the charming
little landlady-"and 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 he?"
"Well," said John warily "-hes like
all young fellows of his age. He's
quite young, you know-not over
thirty, 1 should say-a mere boy, in
fact, but charlottesville. J"
Unmarried, Of course" said the
chatty little woman.
J "Oh, yes !" said John, in a 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,
| yesl Yes, indeed He's unmarried
old bachelor like myself, you know.
Hal Hap
, $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 it, mean haven't heard
anything about any young man. What
, was it?'