The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-06-06
SQUIRREL FOOD

delightful. whether with HIM or o.,
him. Il was infectious. he echoed u
with mi~E.yinRs.
But seriously you're not sure.
are you. Mr.. Sybaritsf"
only. Miss Lessins" he said SO
berry. "of my futile. my painfully
futile good will"
gh. seemed 10 start TO speak, to
think better OF u. to fall silent In
sudden, shy constraint. lie stoie a
rideloug glance. troubled wondering
u perhaps he had yentured too i'm.
pud.ntiy. pursuing his whim TO the
point OF trespass upon the inviolablc
confines Of her reserve.
she wore a sweet. grave face. en-
profile: her eyes veiled with long
lAshez. the haunts Of tender shHd
ows: her mouth Of gracious lips un.
smiling. a little triste. compunc-
lions ssnotc him: with his crude and
clumsy banter he had contrived to
tune her thoughts to sadness. III.
would have given worlds TO undo
that bluudcr. to show her that he
had mean, neither rudene~s nor q
wish TO desecratc her reticsnce. but
only an indirect assurance OF graf.
l,ude 20 her for suffering him and
willingness To serve her within the
compass OF his povcrty-stricken pow
ers. For In retrospect his invitation
assumed the proportions OF an i'm
portunity. an earezious piece Of pre-
sumption. so that he could have
groaned 10 contemplate H.
He didn't groan. save inwardly,
but respected her silence. and held
his own in humility and mortifica.
ton of spirit until they were near
the dooryard OF their boarding house
And even then II was the girl who
ioosed his tongue,
why - where are theyg" abe
asked In surprise.
startled out OF the deeps OF self
contempt. r. sybari,e discovered
that she meant Violet and George.
who were nowhere visible.
Violet said something about a
little supper in her room. explained
the girl
II know" he replied. crackers
and cheese. beer and badinaEe. our
humble pleasures. You'il be bored
10 extinction--but you1i come. won't
your
"why. OF course. counted on
IT, But =
They must have hurried on 10
make things ready-Violet TO set her
room to rights. George to tote the
wash-pItcher TO the corner for the
beer. And very likely. pending our
arrival. they're lingering at the head
of the stairs for a kiss or two"
The girl paused at the gate. Then
we needn't hurry" she suggested.
smiling
I'VE needn't delay" he countered
| amiably. III somebody doesn't In.
terrupt em before long. George will
be TOO late to get the pitcher filled.
This town shuts up tight at mid
night, Saturdays you want to be.
ieve anything you henr. SO there's
/ no need OF being too indulgent with
our infatuated fellow inmates"
"But-just minute. Mr.. 50.
barite." she insisted
Just as many as you wish" nc
laughed. "As matter OF fact. ]
loathe draught beer"
do be serious" she begged. II
want TO thank you"
He was aware OF "A proffered hand
slender and fine In shabby glove
ana took IT in his own, uneasily con
scious OF curious disturbance In
his bosom, OF a strange and not un.
| pleasant sense OF commingled expec.
fancy, pleasure and diffidence CAS- far
as he was able TO analyze--or cared
to--at that Instant.
ut was kind Of you to come" he
said jerkily. in his embarrassment.
II enjoyed every moment" she
said warmly. But that wasn't all
I meant when | thanked you"
His eyebrows climbed with sur.
| prise.
what else. Miss Lessing?"
"Your dclicacy in letting me know