The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-02-08

cure! ne Querleu, studying her curl
Ously.
Il couldn't help hearing some re-
marks when / stood there alone. One
man said to another: Gorgeous. isn't
itr Awfully new" And the other one
said: Yes. just smells of money. Then
| heard girl say: Look! there is
young Purcell, the son and heir" and
the other one answered: He isn't
much of a locker, is hcT"
We'll, he isn't" laughed the young
man. Have you seen him?"
NO, but l don't think III say such
things about my host in his own house
anyway
Now, as to these brushes. suppose
rich people feel lis expected of them,
that they are obliged to entertain" he
added.
Well, if l We're rich, wouldn't feel
obliged to be like everyone else. I'd
be glad l could be different" she
said.
You are different without being
rich"
Il see" she added quickly. You do
not agree with me-"
He looked the girl squarcly in the
eyes. But l do" he said with con.
viCtiOn.
The conversation went on unheeding
time. Through ii all the music kept
up its rhythmic undertone, and twiXt
the palm leaves round moon
Streamed in undimmed by the soft
lights beyond. Charlotte seemed 10 be
in new and wonderful world. Sud
denly the spell was broken by the
sharp tones of her aunt'S voice.
"Oh, there's where you are. Well,
you've given NE a pretty hunt.
didn't know whether YOU We're lost,
Strayed or stolen"
I'm sorry" began Charlotte but
the young man rose, interrupting her.
It's all my fault, Mrs. Twombly. l
stepped on your niece's foot. ! hope l
haven't famed her for life
Aunt Maude looked questioningly at
the man, scrutinizing him with near
sighted eyes.
We'll, declare" she exclaimed. Il
haven't seen you since you We're in
knee pants
Il guess you mean Arthur; l was at
college when you left"
"Oh, yes, you're Dan. But there's
such q strong likeness between the
Purcells."
"PurcellS." gasped Charlotte.
We'll, what's the matterT" asked
Mrs. Twombly. Has Mr. Purcell been
sailing under an assumed Nance"
Il think" he stammered rather
shamefacedly, lit was no name at
ALL" Then he added: "Will you ask
your niece if l may call, and try 10
make it all right?"
You may CALL" put in Charlotte,
with flushed face and eyes turned
away, but l don't think I'll be home. "
I'm not easily discouraged" he
laughed. as Aunt Maude with q reas-
surfing smile took the dazed and en-
barrassed young lady to the cloak
room.
II believe" whispered Aunt Maude
triumphantly, you've made q con-
quest"
II believe" answered her niece,
I've made a fool OF myself"
When three weeks had passed, and
Purcell had not called. Aunt Maude
expressed her mystifcation to Char
lotte.
"Oh, he never intended to-" retorted
the girl. He saw me standing there
alone, and he thought it his duty to
ask me to dance. Then he thought
because he had stepped on my foot 50
couldn't dance he ought TO entertain
me-and he was being amused. Well,
l don't care whether l ever see him
again"
Which last was not strictly true. But
when a girls heart has been touched
and forgotten she is really quite eX-
cusable for covering up that hurt
Shortly after this When crossing the
street, the sudden toot of 4 motor al.
most startled her so that in her hurry
to get out of the way she tripped and
fell. Someone lifted her up, and
asked If she was hurt. II was Dan
Purcell.
MY car is here. Let me take you
home" he urged.
Thank you, I'm not hurt was the
very icy reply, and she turned and
walked quickly away.
That evening Purcell called. Aunt
Maude undertook TO arbitrate, and
knocked on her niece's door.
you see," she began, "he had to
leave town unexpectedly on business
he didn't think he had any right TO ex-
plain by letter, and he only got back
today"
Charlotte consented to appear. Mr.
Purcell certainly made up for lost time
after that, and Aunt Maude seemed nc
longer necessary in the scheme OF
things. One evening he said to Char.
lotte: you know l did agree with
you that q big ballroom wasn't neces-
sary to happiness, and you can have
any kind of home you want, if you'll
let me have 1t with you"
The answer was rather indistinct
E>x., Aarxua1I.ne Han CNu;v,