The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1922-05-05

major on the stairs size merely b0we'
and dropped her eyes, whereat ~
major 50 far forgot himself as 70 turl
and stare. The major had looked 70
better treatment The majors remem
brance Of that charming afternoon i
the restful room. where lived the
woman with sun-hecked hair ant
peach-bloom cheeks was very vivid
while the majors recollection Of III
suitcase episode was growing fainte
every day.
Weeks passed. The little mothe
came to number four bringing chec
and comfort. and a sense Of home
but she had not been there two months
before she was summoned 10 distun
state to see sick daughter, where
upon the major resumed his old habi
OF going out for his meals. His neigh
bor he seldom saw; when he did set
her there were only the grave bow
and the quickly averted eyes to gree
him. He began to wonder If that de
lightfnl afternoon In the h0meIiks
room at number three were only O
dream after all.
Did the major forget on that day
Just d week after his mother left -
or was he shamelessly making .
shrewd attempt to find out for Ger.
tainty whether that afternoon was q
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
snounced cheerfully. as he rose TO his
feet. And. If you'll believe It, that in
considerate janitor has gone to Brook
lyn, too"
Miss Barton raised her head. For an
inshsnt n repetition of the invitation
trembled on her lips; then n certain
exultation in the mans voice, an eager
expectancy in his eyes. sent swift
suspicion to her mind.
Perhaps--what II he had done this
thing on purpose? What II
Il am sorry" she said grayely, and
AAES[Q w AiSA VNA AVVts
"Well. by Jove--by Jove!" muttered
the major as the door shut her from
view. Then he snt down on the top
most step and thought.
1t was on 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
scnrely crossed the threshold when a
gust Of wind from the rear blew the
door to with a bang.
MY key!" gasped the lady. her
small teeth seeking her under lip. Then
a relieved look come into her eyes.
"Never mind-Aunt Emma will be here
long before get back from Tarry-
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
lay under the close-shut door.
"Oh!" she cried softly. and tugged
again. "Oh, oh. what shall doi"
At that moment came click across
the hail. Miss Barton turned right
about face OH 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 an
almost imperceptible pause while he
waited for her recognition. II was
then that Miss Barton made her first
mistake. In her anxiety to appear nat.
ural and unconcerned she gave. not
the usual cold bow and mute dropping
Of her eyes. but a dazzling smile
Good morning. MAJOR she said
brightly. "We must all be improving
this beautiful day, you see"
1t was the mans visible start OF sur
prise that opened Miss Barton's eyes.
She froxe instantly.
Certainly. certainly" beaIned the
major; then he caught sight Of her
stern, unsmIling face. "Er- certainly
he mumbled. as he turned and hurried
downstairs, wondering the while IL II
were his ears or his eyes that were
playing him false this time.
When silence once more reigned In
the hall Miss Barton dropped wearlly