Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-11-02

| thought. And she had been out OF
town and unaware that he had de-
liberately avoided her. Had taken
for granted that he had been po-
| lite enough to call--and had left
his cards at home.
Should he go? He'd have his
breakfast first and do his thinking
afterward.
He did ample justice to the
breakfast, which was also lunch,
read his newspapers, cursed the
printers Of his own for two typo
graphical errors he found in his
column, then called up her house,
Feeling as normal and unromantic
as man generally does when di-
costing a meal and the news, he
concluded that to refuse her invita-
ton, to attempt to avoid her, in
short, would not only be futile, as
he was bound to respond to that
magnet sooner or later, but would
be a further confession OF coward
ice. Whatever his fate, he'd see Il
through.
He gave his acceptance to the
butler, went out and took a brisk
walk. returned and wrote his col.
umn for the next day, then visited
his club and talked with cOngenial
souls until it was time to dress for
dinner No more thinking at pres.
ent.
Nevertheless, he assembled her
steps at exactly half-past eight
with the blood pounding in his
ears and his heart acting like a
schooiboys in his first attack Of
calf love. But he managed to com
pose himself before the footman
leisurely answered his ring. II
there was one point upon which he
was primarily determined ii was to
keep his head. If he gave her a
hint that she had reduced him to a
state of imbecility before his mo-
ment came-if it ever did!--his
chances would be done for-diah-
ed He looked more saturniue
than ever as he strobe into tie
hall.
D.rHor viii be served in the
library ST. said the footman
Madame will be down in mo-
ment'
A tete-a-tete by the fire! Worse
and worse. II" pad been fortified
by the thought o! the butler aad
iootman ~ hour under THEN Su'
percilioas cr"* would mean the
most impers92'' tnd OF small talk.
Rut they'd hardly stand round the
library
However. the small table ]. '''"
the hle2inS logs looked very "S'
and the imposing rc"a va: iH'I ~
mellow light, Two Gc'hf"
had been drawn to the tab" Tho"
at least, looked gaco''''-'.'N'
enough to avert sen.ime~t' Mi
that he felt sentimental, Fl" vas
holding down something q pn1d
deal stronger than sentiment hH'
he tlattered himself that BE- i'~b"1
as saturnine "a Satan himself IS
he warmed his back at the fire He
hoped She had cold in her Bead
But she had not. AS she ea'ar"d,
dressed in a white tea 2"w' of
chiffon and lace, she looked Ike
moonbeam, and as if no mortal in
disposition had ever brushed her
in passing. Instead Of her pearls
she wore "a long thin necklace Of
diamonds that seemed to frost her
gown. She was smiling and gra-
cious and infinitely remote, The
effect was as cold and steadying as
his mornings icy shower,
He shook her hand firmly. Scr
ry you've been seedy. Hope it
didn't lay you up
Oh no, fancy merely want
ed an excuse to see Atlantic City.
1t was Just a touch OF bronchitis
and fed at once,
Like Atlantic City?
No. It is merely an iterminable
line of ostentatiously rich hotels
on board walk None OF the
grace ana dignity of Ostend-poor
Ostend as it used to be, The digue
was one of the most brilliant
sights in Europe--but no doubt
you have seen it" she added po-
litely
Yes, 1 spent a week there once,
but Bruges Interested me more. l
was very young at the time"