Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-05-11

suitcase and the embarrassing mo.
ment when she and the man had faced
each other In tile hallway. She de-
cided 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 as to turn
and stare. The major had looked for
better treatment. The majors remem-
brance Of that charming afternoon in
the restful room. where lived the
woman with sun-fecked 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 distant
state to see sick daughter, where
upon the major resumed mis- 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 If that de-
.lightful afternoon in the homelike
room at number three were only a
dream after all. s s
Did the major forget on that day
just week after his mother left?-
or was he shamelessly making q
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. .r
"1'm. locked out again." he an
nounced' cheerfully, as he rose to his
feet, ,"And, If you'll believe 1t, that in
considerate' janitor has gone to Brook
llyn, too"
Miss Barton raised her head. For an
instant repetition Of the. invitation
IL CluUlCu AtCl lips LuOu u SCl LuAA
exultation in the mans voice, an eager
expectancy in his eyes, seat swift
suspicion to her mind.
Perhaps-what If he had done this
thing on purpose? What if
Il am sorry" she said grayely, and
passed to her own door.
'Well, by Jove-by Joye!" muttered
the major as the door shut her from
view. Then he sat 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
scarcely crossed the threshold when a
gust of wind from the rear blew the
door to with bang. =
"My key!" gasped the lady, her
small teeth seeking her under lip. Then
relieved look come into her eyes.
"Never mind-Aunt Emma will 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 draperies. With
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. ooh, oh, what shall do?"
At that moment came a click across
the hall. Miss Barton turned right
about face on 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. It 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 dazzling smile.
"Good morning, major" she said
brightly. 1--WE must all be improving
this beautiful day, you see"
It was the mans visible start Of sur
prise that opened Miss Barton's eyes.
She froze instantly.
Certainly, certainly" beamed 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 it
were his ears or his eyes that were
playing him false this time.
When silence once more reigned in
the hall Miss Barton dropped YEARLY
to her knees twisted her body about,
and brought both hands to bear on the
gray skirt. It was useless.
"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" moaned Miss
Barton. what can l do? can't stay
here all dayi"
A clatter Of steps from the floor
above brought her painfully to her
/; feet; and again she scrutinized the
I. contents Of her. purse. This time a
tenant from number five passed down
! the stairs. Four times was this repeated.
AT the end Of IN hour she was lean