The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1922-03-31
THE MENT
BY JANE JORDAN.

Copyrig hit, 1921, Western Newspaper Union
Coralie looked down into the street
a frown pickering her pretty brows
Bobby was due an hour ago and his
present unreliable attitude troubled
her. Not two months since Mr.. Robert
Hampstead, whom she met at hei
aunt's tea party, had been all prompt
hess and eagerness. Now she realized,
in humiliation, il was usually she who
suggested their evenings together, and
impatientiy awaited his arrival.
Coralie was vastly proud of her low
er's growing success. Sweetly submits
sive, apparently, to his professions
call. But there was more than all this
in Boobies embarrassed e~vasions.
Lily, the old colored woman who had
been Coralie's nurse and was still q
privileged adviser, came to pat her
adored ones hair.
Honey" she comforted, don't you
go an fret bout Mistah Hampstead.
He's boun' to come round all right,
though he is kinda mixed up in his
'tentions.
That's all count of that playin'
friend of his what everybody's crazy
bout. Women, you see, honey, sort Of
turn that musical mans head, till he
don't think much of any of 'em. l
hear him an Mistah Robert talking
the evening you was out, an the sing
In nan came over here after him, an
he says to Mistah Robert to go slow,
that gettin' into marriage was easier
than gettin' out; and marriage was
mostly a mistake anyways to tempera-
mental folks like them, an Mistah
Robert he seemed sorta uncertain, yet
believin' like, as the two went away
together.
Reckon he amt really done sur
rendered yet, Mis- Coralie, for all his
loyin' of you"
The black eyes twinkled.
AN this yere maneuvering round
is hurtin' him more than 1t hurts you,
honey lamb"
Coralie went forward to meet the
tall young man who came at last, con
fidently, through the doorway. This
time there was no excuse.
"Coralie," Bob Hampstead said abb
I'm going away. Just time to
make my train. Signed up with the
business office in Chicago for two
months. Goodby, DEAR" the last words
grudgingly.
why goodby, Bob" answered Cor
allie, her tone was quite even.
you see," he burst out, Il may as
we'll be frank. I've been growing al
fond of you lately-too fond;
Pm not in a position to marry. So"
Bob floundered hopelessly-'I thought
I'd better go away"
When he had gone Coralie stood con-
;idering, then an odd little smile
twisted her lips.
$50 this is the influence of the play
ng man."
well, he will have to be punished"
Coralie took down the telephone re.
please" she asked sweetly of the
masculine voice that answered, may
speak to Mr.. Raphael Vernon? This
S Mr.. Vernon? Coralie Richmond
peaking. You may remember my
lame. Yes, a friend of Bobby Hemp
tead's. / would like very much to
ak with you concerning this new
usiness venture of Bobbie's. You see,
am much interested. Could you
pare an hour to me this evening. l
now Robert values your advice so
ighly. l, too, would like YOU opin- /
IN. The wrinkles d%eepened in Lily's
eyes is her nursing turned,
from the telephone.
What dress you-all gwine to wear
,r this ebening, honey?" she asked.
de one you looks mostest like an
ngel in is the plain white wild de big
lue SASH"
Robert Hampstead missed Coralie
ore than he had believed possible.
though a big and busy place,
,emed strangely lacking in entertain
emf. Also. away from Raphael Ver-
ms caustic offerings, marriage APP
Jared to be far from the undesirable
ing he had made it. Bob began to
industriously regarding bunga-
AS he plaintively hummed 1.-The
we Nest" and wondered if Coralie's
es would be as blue in, reality as
had haan In hic draope DC -.
rgiveness because of his silence he