Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-06-27


rapidly, pausing for an Instant to look
at the superscrlption upon a small,
square envelope, the handwriting or
which he did not recognize. This he
laid aside for the moment for more
pressing business and then forgot 1t.
This was strange, for 1t was an In
sistent thing, lying as ii did alone upon
the desk in front of him. Once his
eyes fell upon 1t and he stretched out
his hand to take it up but was inter
rupted and not until he left the office,
hours later, was he conscious that the
letter was still unread.
He picked 1t up and slipped 1t into
his pocket, thinking to read it at his
leisure and again it was forgotten
Yet he was neither a careless nor for
getful man. but at this time he was
absorbed by an important case that
claimed all his energy and determine
ton to carry II to a successful issue.
Beside this, he believed 1t to be an In
vitntion which he had no time TO ac-
cert.
Fwo months later as he was passing
the White House he collided with a
woman in white who had suddenly
stopped in his path to read the suffrage
banner held aloft by a very tired
looking girl. With an apology he was
about to pass on, when he caught a
side view of the face under the broad
| brimmed hat "You," he said, stopping
short and holding out his hand. II
| thought you were in California"
81 was until two months ago" Mary
Bowie answered, "and It is good to be
| back, even if my throat does contract
| with an ache every time uniform
| passes me. War seemed farther away
| out there. but here, where almost every
oker man you meet is in khaki, it is
| very near"
yes" he said, looking at her with
| appreciative eyes, Giving in Washing
ton we are in the midst of things and
the war is brought very close. But
suppose we forget it for time. Come
| and take lunch with me. | know a
place where they give you wonderful
rolls and delicious salad. That u.s. of
course, unless you prefer a hotel"
my tastes are still simple" she re
| piled with a laugh. "Rolls and salad
sound good to hungry woman"
ut is rather a shabby little place.
he answered, almost in apology
"What matter? Washington is a
| city of extremes. Two blocks up the
avenue from the White House is
shabbiness indeed Walk down Seven
teenth street until you reach the Cor
coran Art gallery. What do you
pass? Gentility, nothing more until
| you come to the wonderful group of
buildings further on That is the one
thing about Washington-its strong
| contrasts"
Il did not bring you to lunch to talk
about contrasts and extremes. l want
to hear about yourself. Why didn't
you let me know you were in town."
Don't you read the daily papersY
| she asked carelessly. 81 believe | was
announced even to the details of my
| travelling dress. which was an old one
by the way, and did not deserve no
| toriety."
Il never read the society news and
friyolity does not sit well upon you,
my dear young lady. What reason
did you have for not sending me your
card?"
"Are you sure I did notf"
"Quite sure. II would have reached
me If you had sent It."
II forgot your address and did not
think to look in the directory. You
can give 1t to me now, If you will"
He looked at her steadily. "Are you
quite sure that was the reason2'
"Why not? 1t is the best I can
think of on the spur of the moment"
she returned lightly.
why should there be reason?" he
asked again. =
'Why do you always look for oneT
she countered back. Think of it as
woman's whim."
Neither whims nor frivolity be-
comes you" he replied shortly, "but
will give you my card" He drew
hat case from his pocket and, not find
HaN what ht NT8AtNus iAIu several
papers upon the table. UppermoSt on
the pile was the unopened letter re-
ceiyed two months before.
Mary Bowie's eyes widened, then
became expressionless as she glanced
from 1t to her companion, still search
ing for his elusive card As he raised
his eyes they, also, were caught and
held by the square envelope
Il forgot it," he said simply. at
reached me when | was absorbed In
an important case. OF course IT was
lnexcusable. | meant TO read ii when
| had leisure, but whenever started to
open it | was interrupted If you win
pardon me l will look over Ii now"
Let 1t wait. An hour or so win
now make little difference TO your cor
respondent"
Il have never correSponded with
woman in my life, and / doubt If this
is anything more important than an in.
vitauon"
She placed a hand over the letter,
still lying on the table. aust a little
longer" she said gayly. There is no
telling what news II may contain and
Won may wish ynu had road IL e1nrau