The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-08-14
By HOLWORTHY HALL

didn't intend to send You a remem-
brance at ALL intended to bring It..
planned to give it t. you before din
ner. but when / was so late, and
everybody was waiting"
She turned VITA gratifying quick
ness.
Did YOU bring it,
Eyes" he said, II brought 1t. I'm
not quite sure whether you'll like it
or not"
"Ill like anything you brought J"
The prOnoun had an infinitesimal en-
phasis all to itself.
billiard cleared his throat.
"When- was young"
Il beg your pardon?"
He laughed at high pressure and be-
gan over again.
when I was young Mother Grumpy
hal a very small collection to choose
from-books and candy and flowers.
If I'd send you anything by mail, !
think I'd have had to obey the rules.
Ny early training was pretty severe.
But | thought If ! brought 1t myself,
perhaps i could be more original"
"How originate she asked, with
pretty animation.
| His heart was pounding relentlessly !;
he had lost the elaborate recital which
h. carefully prepared; and 1t was gone
without trace. He had to depend
on presence of mind.
| oc,...oo r a.s,Id,s+ I-,o, RI INV nod
ule, I've been saving il up to give you
when everything was propitlous." He
rendered her a package. tied with holly
ribbon; It was smaller than book.
and smaller than any orthodox carrier
of confection. Don't open 1t just yet,
please
She looked at 1t. pinched it, dropped
| 1t In her lap, and laughed softly.
rs there such a mystery about ir2''
"Yes, there is" billiard felt himself
begin to go with, the current of his
mood. He sat UP awkwardly. "All
that you could ever think Of asking
about me ;. where I've been and
what I've done . is in that box.
It's everything biography, and a
history and it's my gift to you,
too. But before you open it" He
had to pause to collect himself. I'm
have to make an explanation" He
/ fought with It and found his lips
strangely sealed.
as it so very hard to maker she
asked at length. n
4 ;,,,vnccihIa IL
seeing black and red Even if every
body had expected him to do this
thing fas Angela had long since as
sured him) what reason did he have
to hope for pardon? "What would
you think" he asked, perilously, "of a
man who cared enough about you to
risk. everything he had in the world
!. not his valuables in the sense of
money &. but all his ambitions for
everything; all his dreams; all his
Ideals; all his hopes . on a Christ
mas gift? What would your"
| She frowned adorably.
And :. he's not just little bit
guixotic?"
Not at all =. suppose he did II
deliberately, and after great deal OF
thought. Just on the chance that II
might please you? When it would
either do that-or end their friend
ship?"
She fingered the small package over
and over.
| "Why, l should think that IL this
;. mythical person were so very anx-
ious to please me he wouldn't take
quite so much risk"
"But when I'm the mythical person
myself--that's different, isn't it?"
"Why should 1t be?" She gave him
no opportunity to see her face.
you've forgotten great deal.
told you once that If you knew all that
I've been {. all that I've done :.
you might not be SO willing to have my
friendship, anyway"
mo-" she said, subdued. I've not
forgotten, but you have! said that
didn't believe you."
you're holding 1t all in your hands,
said Hillard. His expression, as he
gazed at her, was infinitely yearning
L