The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-06-10

suitcase and the embarrassing mo-
ment when she and the man had faced
each other in the hallway. She de-
cided at once that she had been too
cordial. too kind, too free with this
unknown, unpresented man.
The next time Miss Barton met the
major on the stairs she merely bowed
and dropped her eyes, whereat the
major SO far forgot himself as to turn
and stare. The major had looked for,
better treatment. The majors remem-
brance Of that charming afternoon in
the restful room, where lived the
woman with sun-fecked hair and
peach-blOom cheeks, was very vivid;
while the majors recollection Of the
suitcase episode was growing fainter
every day.
Weeks passed. The little mother
came to number four bringing cheer
and comfort, and sense OF home /;
but she had not been there two months
before she was summoned to a distant
state to see a sick daughter, where
upon the major resumed mis- old habit
OF going out for his meals. His neigh
Dor he seldom saw; when he did see
her there were only the grave bow
and the quickly averted eyes to greet
him. He began to wonder II that de-
lightfM afternoon in the homelike
room at number three were only a
dream after all.
Did the major forget on that day
Just a week after his mother left?-
or was he shamelessly making q
shrewd attempt to find out for GER
tainty whether that afternoon was a
dream or not? At all events, one
o'clock and Miss Barton found him
seated ON the topmost step Of the
stairway.
I'm locked out again." he an
nounced cheerfully, as he rose to his
feet. "And, II you'll believe it, that in
considerable janitor has gone to Brook
lyn, too"
Miss Barton raised her head. For an
instant a repetition Of the invitation
trembled on her lips; then certain
exultation In the mans voice, an eager
expectancy in his eyes, sent swift
suspicion to her mind.
Perhaps-what IL he had done this
thing on purpose? What il
II am sorry" she said gravely, and
passed to her own door.
"Well, by Jove-by Jove!" muttered
the major as the door shut her from
view. Then he sat down on the top
most step and thought.
It was on q pleasant morning not
long afterwards that Mrs. Todd left
the house to spend the day in shopping.
At ten, dressed in cool gray and white,
Miss Josephine Barton opened the door
and stepped into the hall. She had
scarcely crossed the threshold when q
gust of wind from the rear blew the
door to with bang.
my keyi" gasped the lady. her
small teeth seeking her under lip. Then
q relieved look come into her eyes
"Never mind-Aunt Emma will be here
long before I get back from larry
town."
She took one step forward, then
stopped. She pulled gently, then with
force, at her gray draperies. With q
quick indrawing Of her breath she
turned and looked behind her. Fully
three inches Of the hem Of her skirt
law under the clOse-shut door.
"Ohl" she cried softly. and tugged
again. "Oh, oh. what shall ! dor
At that moment came a click across
the hall. Miss Barton turned right
about face on the instant. She opened
her purse and began carefully to scru
tinize Its contents.
The door across the hall opened and
the major stepped out. There was ar
almost imperceptible pause while hi
waited for her recognition. 1t was
then that Miss Barton made her first
mistake. In her anxiety to appear nat
ural and unconcerned she gave, no
the usual cold bow and mute dropping
Of her eyes. but dazzling smile.
"Good morning major" she sale
brightly. I'VE must all be improving
this beautiful day, you see."
It was the mans visible start of sur
prise that opened Miss barton's eyes
She froze instantly.
Certainly, certainly" beamed thu
major; then he caught sight Of hel
stern, unsmiling face. "Er-certainly.'
he mumbled, as he turned and hurriet
downstairs, wondering the while If i
were his ears or his eyes that wer'
playing him false this time.
When silence once mere reigned IL
the hall Miss Barton dropped YEARLY
to her knees, twisted her body about
and brought both hands to bear on tn
gray skirt. It was useless.
"Oh, dear! Oh, dear !" m0aned MIS-
Barton. what can do? l can't sta!
here all day!"
A clatter Of steps from the foo
above brought her painfully to he
feet: and again she scrutinized tn
contents OF her purse. This time
tenant from number five passed dow
the stairs. Four times was this repeated
At the end OF an hour she was lean
ing. white and exhausted, against tn
casing when the main door downstair
banged shut. She had just time t
open her purse and begin the countinl
Of coins that to her seemed alread.
worn thin by the process, when tn
major reached the top Of the stairs.
why" he began.
Miss Barton looked full In his rae
and bowed gravely. Then she droppe'
her eyes. The major stumbled to nj