Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-10
Bu ELIZABETH JORDAN

dared not again mention Kittie of course, nor
his past. which might conflict with what she hao
been told of him by "Uncle James He realized
that she did not even know his name. He had
hurried to her side straight from the hotcl DESK
and she had accepted him without question as
the man she had expected to meet her. Inc
reflection reminded him of a new danger he
often dined at the Briarclf Inn 1t was a
favorite spot of his. and the walters knew him'
If one of them addressed him by name
1t was at this precise moment in his medi-
tations and as il evoked by them that the head
waiter approached the table bearing down upon
the couple with the affability of his type lie
had been out of the room when they arrived
but he made up for this flaw in the service oy
putting into his greeting something more thah
mere cordiality. There was hint of the hos
pitality of "od home week. in his welcome to
the reluctant diner he now addressed,
"Oh good evening, Mr. Smith We haven't
had you with us for several weeks. he added,
expansively "Is everything all right?"
John looked up at him and allowed rapid
succession of changes to sweep across MS eX-
pressive face. 1t artistic performance
for the changes took in first surprise, then an
instant Of puzzement, and finally courteous
comprehension.
"Oh, yes, quite all right, thank you," he
said, and nodded kindly at the man. AS the
latter retreated John made casual but sur
f1cient comment on the incident.
Some head WATERS he announced; 'ap-
near to call all diners Smith, just the same
as some men call all walters George"
He was quite satisfied with this effort, but
the ladys comment wiped the smile from his
face.
"But they ought to do much better than
Smith" she suggested. Don't most men resent
being called Smith,"
John was under the ice now, cold and
gasping, but he rallied feeby.
"Oh, don't think so. You see, there are
so many-er-distinguis Smiths, and it's a
name of such fine traditions"
He was glad to be interrupted by walter,
who served another course. Also the inter-
ruption gave him time for saving remembrance
Your own name is Smith, you know he
could not help reminding her. THAT alone
lends luster to it,
"r know it is Smith"-she spoke sadly tg-
noring the compliment and with an erect OF
dwelling on what now appeared to be the haw
in happy life. 1--WE always hated it. She
smiled the smile that so enchanted hlm
hope to change it some day.
Under the shock of these simple words John
Smith went under the ice again and for per-
ceptible interval remained there. When ne
emerged and spoke his voice was unnatural
"You haven't yet made .any-any arrange
ment to change it-haVe your
She suspended the action of her fork and
looked at him with raised eyebrows. Her eX-
preston showed surprise and suggestion OF
disapproyal, but he met her eyes with some
thing in his that touched her.
.'Please tell me-" he begged. care you en-
gagged to be married." In a desperate attempt
to seem normal he caught at the name he had
so carefully avoided "Uncle James didn't tell
me you were," he added, with unconscious
pathos. .-.-.-..
Miss Mary Smith drank half glass of wa
ter She drank it very slowly, and when She
set down the glass there was an odd light in her
ewes which had not been there before. But she
spoke indifferently.
There's no reason why 1 should not an
swer your question: she said as she resumed
her dinner. II not engaged to be married :
Her host drew a deep breath and, leaning
back in his chair, beamed at her ecstatically
His relief was obvious and almost pathetic
but an unsympathetic nature seemed to lie
under Miss Smiths beautiful exterior. She ate
her dinner with expression of detachment
as if her thoughts were elsewhere. John
pulled himself together and gallantly went into
action again.
"These little personal prejudices are very
interesting things" he said. 1--WE got a few
myself, but I make special point Of not in
dulging them. To yield to them is too narrow
ing I'm sure you feel the same way. For ex-
ample Just suppose you learned to love mar
named Smith. Surely you wouldn't refuse tc
marry him merely because his name was Smith
would you?'
He asked the question in what he fondly
hoped was careless manner, hut his heart
dropped beat as he waited for her reply. Fol
a moment it did not come. Miss Smith was
absorbed in head dress worn by woman
guest who had just taken seat at a table near
her She seemed hardly to have heard his
question and almost started when he urgently
repeated: would you?" He could see heI
mind return to him if from a little journey.
would 1 refuse any one named Smith Z?
she asked, rather vaguely. "Why. l have never
thought about it." She smiled again. Fate ISM
as relentless as we think" she said. Il don't
believe she would play such a shabby trick or
me as to let fall in love with man named
Smith. You see I have had the name for q
years. as it is. think / have had my share OF
it."
Her companion again submerged like sub
marine The attention of Miss Smith returned
IVY