Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-02-09
THE PUNISHMENT
BY JANE JORDAN.

COruHe looked down INTO the street,
frown puckering 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 her
aunt's tea party, had been all prompt
ness and eagerness. Now she realized,
In humiliation, 1t was usually she who
suggested their evenings together, and
impatiently 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 evasions.
Lily, the old colored woman who had
been Coralie's nurse and was still a
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'
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 Mlstah Robert to go slow,
that gettin' into marriage was easier
than gettln out; and marriage was
mostly 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
lovln' of you"
The black eyes twlnkled.
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-
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
why goodby, Bob" answered Cor
allie, her tone was quite even.
"You see," he burst out, II may az
we'll be frank. I've been growing al
mighty fond of you lately-too fond;
I'm not In position to marry. So
Bob foundered hopelessly-"I thought
I'd better go away"
When he had gone Coralie stood con-
then an odd little smile
twisted her lips.
$50 this is the influence of the play
ng man,"
swell, he will have to be punished"
Coralie took down the telephone re-
,eiver.
please" she asked sweetly of the
masculine voice that answered, may
speak to Mr.. Raphael Vernon? This
5 Mr.. Vernon? Coralie Richmond
peaking. You may remember my ,
ame. Yes, a friend Of Bobby Hemp
teads. would like very much 10
ak with you concerning this new
uslness venture Of Bobbie's. You see,
am much interested. Gould you
pare an hour to me this evening. III
now Robert values your advice 20
ighly. l, too, would like your opin- =
IN. The wrinkles deepened In Lily's
lack eyes as her nursing turned,
mpling, from the telephone.
What dress you-all gwine to wear
II this ebening, honeyf" she asked
DE one you looks mostest like an
lgel In is the plain white wild de big @
ue SASH"
Robert Hampstead missed Coraie
ore than he had believed possible.
licago, though big and busy place.
emed strangely lacking In entertain 81
ant. Also, away from Raphael Yer
MS caustic offerings. marriage ap-
AIRED to be far from the undesirable
ng he had made II. Bob began 10
ure industriously regarding bunga-
VS.. AS he plaintively hummed 'The
We Nest" and wondered II CoralIe's
IS would be as blue in reality as HI
y had been in his dreams. or her
giveness because of his silence he
sure. Had Coralie not always
aited his coming? So Robert Hemp
nd took a trip back home.
ily admitted him to the pretty
rtment rooms which were Coralie's M
ne. She was at the piano, Lily told
!, practicing new song.
obby slipped In unannounced and DIs
ID pressing HIS fingers In boyish
lion over the girls closed eyelids.
ess who?" he Joyously whispered.
llie's loved laughter rIppled forth. ~,
Why" she answered softly, ats W.
hazel, of course"
'aphaelY' he sharply repeated the
as she turned to face him. Slow.
ut eloquently Coralie nodded.
aphael and / are encaoad to n.