The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-01-05
THE PUNISHMENT


Coralle looked down into the street.
frown pnckering 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 Der
aunt's tea party. had been ell prompt
ness and eagerness. Now she realized,
In humiliation, II was usually she who
suggested their evenings together, and
impatiently awaited bis arrival.
Coralie was vastly proud Of her low
er's growing success. Sweetly submIs-
sive, apparently, to his professions
call. But there wns more than all this
In Boobies embarrassed evasions
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
90 an fret bout Mistah Hampstead
lies 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.
hear him an Mistah Robert talking
the evening you was out, an the sing
in man came over here after him, an
he says to Mistah Robert to 20 slow.
that gettin' into marriage was easier
than gettin' out; and marriage was
mostly q 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
lovih' Of you"
The black eyes twinkled-
"An' this we're maneuvering round
is hurtin' him more than II hurts you.
honey lamb"
COralie went forward to meet the
tall young man who came at last, con
fdently, through the doorway. This
time there was no excuse.
"Coralie," Bob Hampstead said alb
ruptly. 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, II may as
well be frank. I've been growing al
mighty fond Of you lately-too fond !;
I'm not in position to marry. So"
Bob floundered hopelessly-'T thought
I'd better go away"
When he had gone Coralie stood con-
sidering. then an odd little smile
twisted her lips.
$50 this is the influence of the play
Ing man."
''Well he will have to be punished"
Coralie took down the telephone re-
ceiver.
masculine voice that answered. may
! speak to Mr.. Raphael Vermont This
is Mr.. Vernon? COralie Richmond
speaking. You may remember my
name Yes, friend of Bobby Hemp
stead's. / would like very much to
talk with you concerning this new
business venture of Boobies. You see
| am much interested. Gould you
spare an hour to me this evening.
know Robert values your advice so
highly. l, too, would like your opln-
ion. The twinkles deeRened in Lily's
black eyes as her nursing turned,
dimpling, from the telephone.
"What dress you-all gwine to wear
for this ebening. honey?" she asked.
de >one you looks mostest like an
angel in is the plain white wild de big
blue SASH"
Robert Hampstead missed Coralie
more than he had believed possible.
Chicago, though big and busy place,
seemed strangely lacking in entertain
ment Also away from Raphael Yer
mons caustic offerings, marriage APP
peared to be far from the undesirable
thing he had made it. Bob began TO
figure industriously regarding bunga.
lows. AS he plain6vely hummed "The
Love Nest" and wondered If Coralie's
eyes would be as blue In reality as
they had been in his dreams. OF her
forgiveness because Of his silence he
was sure Had Coralle not always
awaited his comingl SO Robert Hemp
stead took a trip back home.
Lily admitted him to the pretty
apartment rooms which were Coralie's
home. She was at the piano. LILY told
him, practicing new song.
Bobby slipped In unannounced and
stood pressing his fingers In boyish
fashion over the girls closed eyelids.
Guess whof" he joyously whispered
Ooralie's loved laughter rippled forth.
"Why." she answered softly, ats
Raphael. Of course"
"Raphaelr' he sharply repeated the
name as she turned 20 face him. Slow
ly but eloquently Coralle nodded.