Omaha daily bee., 1918-09-09
Author OF "Pollyanna.

SQulte lalled or It's purpose, Tor Mr.
Smith did not offer to take her with
him. He changed the subject, indeed
so abruptly, that Miss Maggie bit her
lip and flushed a little, throwing a
swift glance into his apparently
serene countenance.
Miss Maggie herself, in the after
noon, with an errand for an excuse
walked slowly by the tennis court
She saw Mr.. Smith at once-but he
did not seem at all interested in the
playing, He had his back to the court,
III fact He was talking very ami
matedly with Mellicent Blaisdell. He
was still talking with her-though
on the opposite side of the court
when Miss Maggie went by again on
her way home.
Miss. Maggie frowned and said
something just under her breath
about that child--hirting as usuall'
Then she went on, walking very fast,
and without another glance toward
the tennis ground. But a little far
Their on Miss Maggie's step Jagged
perceptibly, and her head lost its
proud poise. Miss Maggie, for rea-
son she could not have explained her
self. was feeling suddenly old, and
weary, and very much alone.
10 the image in the mirror as she
took off her hat few minutes later
in her own hall, she said scornfully:
well, why shouldn't you feel old?
You are old. You are oldw Miss
Maggie had habit of talking to her
self in the mirror-but never before
had she said anything like this to
herself.
An hour later Mr.. Smith came
home to supper
We'll, how did the game go?"
queried Miss Maggie, without look
ing up from the stocking she was
mending.
Game? Go? Dhy, I don't remem-
Der who did win finally" he answered.
Nor did it apparently occur to him
that for one who was so greatly inter-
ested in tennis. he was curiously in
formed.
1t did occur to Miss Maggie, how
ever.
The next day Mr.. Smith left the
houses soon after breakfast, and con-
trary to his usual custom. did not
mention where he was going. Miss
Maggie was Surprised and displeased.
More especially was she displeased
because she was displeased. As if it
mattered to her where he went, she
told herself scornfully.
The next day and the next it was
much the same. On the third day she
saw Jane.
where's Mr.. Smith" demanded
Jane, without preamble, glancing at |
the vacant chair by the table in the
corner.
Miss Maggie, to her disgust could |
feel the color burning in her cheeks,
but she managed to smile as if |
amused.
Il don't know, I'm sure. I'm not
Mr.. Smiths keeper, Jane"
We'll, if you were, I should ask
you to keep him away from Melli-
cent" retorted Mrs. Jane tartly.
What do you mean?"
81 mean he's been hanging around
Mellicent almost every day for a
week"
Miss Maggie flushed painfully.
Nonsense, janet He's more than
twice her age. Mr.. Smith is so if he's
a day."
Pm not saying he isn't" shifted
Jane, her nose uptilted. "But l do
say, No fool like an old foolr"
Nonsense" scorned Miss Maggie
again. "Mr. Smith has always been
fond of Mellicent, and-and interested
in her. But l don't believe he cares
for her-that way"
Then why does he come to see her
and take her auto riding, and hang
around her every minute he gets
chances" snapped Jane. Il know how
he acts at the house, and | hear he
scarcely left her side at the tennis
match the other day."
Eyes, /" Miss Maggie did not
1nish her sentence. A slow change
,ame to her countenance. The flush
-eceded, leaving her face bit white.
Il wonder # the man really thinks I
~ o'oiiuo any ShdiiSC! SplultCiSu
'ane. ignoring Miss Maggie's unfn-
shed sentence. "Why, he's worse
han that Donald Gray. He not only
lasn't got the money, but he's old, as
veil"
Eyes, we're a1l-getting old. Jane"
Miss Maggie tossed the words off
lightly, and smiled as she uttered
hem. But after Mrs. Jane had gone
he went to the little mirror above
he mantel and gazed at herself long
nd fixedly. Il
"Well. what if he does? It's moth
ng to you, Maggie Duff she NUT
cred under her breath. Then reso-
utely she turned away, picked up her
work, and fell to sewing very fast.
Two days later Mellicent went back
o school. Bessie went, too. Fred
nd Benny had already gone. To Miss
Maggie things seemed to settle back
nto their old ways again then. With
nr. Smith she took drives and motor