The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-06-02

suitcase and the embarrassing mo-
each other In tile hallway. She de-
cfded 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 ais to turn
and stare. The major had looked for
better treatment. The majors remem-
brance Of that charming afternoon In
the restfuI room, where lived the
woman with sun-iiecked 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 sick daughter, where
upon the major resumed his 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 IL that de-
| llghtful afternoon In the hoInelIke
| room at number three were only a
dream after all.
Did the major forget on that day
| just week after his mother left r.
| or was he shameIessly making a
shrewd attempt to find out for GER
tainty whether that afternoon was q
dream or not2 At ali events, one
O'clock md Miss Barton found him
seated ON the topmost step Of tile
stairway.
| I'm locked out again." he an
nounced cleerfully, as he rose TO his
feet. "And, II you'll believe it, that In
conslderate jnnltor has gone to Brook
lyn, too"
Miss Barton raised her head. For an
instant repetition Of the invitation
trembled on her lips; then a certain
exultation In the mans voice, an eager
expectancy In his eyes, seat a swift
suspicion to her mind.
Perhapswh If he had done this
thing on purpose? What if
/ Il am sorry" she said gravely, and
4 passed to her own door.
"Well, by lovely love !" muttered
| the major as the door shut her from
view. Then he sat down on the top
most step and thought
1t was on a pleasant morning not
long afterwards that Mrs. Todd left
i the house TO spend the day In shopping.
i At ten, dressed In cool gray and white,
1 Miss Josephine Barton opened the door
| and stepped into the hall. She had
| scarcely crossed tile threshold when a
/ gust Of wind from the rear blew the
door to with bang.
i "AIy key!" gasped the lady. her
small teeth seeking her under lip, Then
i relieved look come into her eyes.
Never mind Aunt Emma win be here
long before get back from larry
town.
She took one step forward, then
stopped. She pulled gently, then with
force, at her gray draperles. With a
4 quick indrawing Of her breath she
turned and looked behind her. Fully
three inches Of the hem of her skirt
i lay under the close-shu door.
i "ohi" She cried softly, and tugged
again. "oh. OH, what shall ! do?'
Az that moment came click across
the hall. Miss Barton turned right
about face on tile instant. She opened
her purse and began carefully 10 scru-
tini2e its contents.
Tie door across the hail opened and
the major stepped out. There was an
almost lmperceptible pause While he
waited for her recognition. IL was
then thar Miss Barton made aer first
mistake. In her anxiety TO ap 3ear nat.
urnl and unconcerned she rave. NOT
the usual cold bow and mute dropping
of her eyes, but dazzling smile,
| Good morning, major" SHE sad
brightly. I'VE must all be improving
this beautiful day you see"
II was the mans visible start of sur.
prise that opened Miss barton's eyes
She tr0Ie instantly.
"CertainIy, certainly" beamed the
major: then he caught sight Of her
stern, unsmiling face, certainly,
he mumhed. as he turned and hurried
downstairs. wondering the while II Il
were his ears or his eyes thar We're
playing him false this time.
When silence once more relgned In
the hall Miss Barton dropped NEARLY
to her knees. twisted her body about
aud brought both hands TO bear ON the
gray skirt. 1t was useless
soh dearl oh. dear" mcaned Miss
Barton. what can dos | cant sta.
here nil day !"
A clutter OF steps from the tiool
above brought her painfully 10 hel
feet; and again she scrutinized IN,
contents of her purse. This time /
tenant from number five passed duvI
the stairs. Four times was this repeated
| | AT the end of an hour she was lean