Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-28
XVI

CHAPTER XVI
Kathleen felt herself flushin- 10 5
had told a great deal IN those few
words, and kathleen was uncomfort-
able. She felt a sense Of guilt-as
though she should tell Lois hat she
and BOZ were engaged. For a mo-
ment, she felt vastly inadequate TO
the man she loved. What had she
10 offer in comparison with tlis eX-
quisite creature?
And Lois. too. was embarrassed.
She had been betrayed by the depth
Of her emotion into q confession III {
see scarcely dared 10 make 70 her
self. She glanced at her jeweled
wrist watch and rose hurriedly. AS
she crossed the room, she saw her
father turn and direct a remark 10
Kathleen. He was superb tonight, the
perfect host. watching his guests IN
obstruciyely and laboring nightly
and successfully-to put them az
eaze.
Lois busted herself IN the pantry.
She had followed Peter Borden's
lead. No butler-no maid. She ar
ranged a tea wagon with a pla-e OF
little cakes and a cut-glass bowl
filled with ambrosia; grapefruit and
oranges and maraschino cherries CIT
up small ard s%prinkled hberaIly
with shredded ~cocoanut. She return
ed 10 the room to find Kathleen and
her father absorbed in conversation
She served the simple refreshments
with the perfect manner OF the born
hostess.
Todd was visibly embarrassed By
the fragile china which ne 80,
forced Ia handle on his knee. HI
manipulated the tiny silver spoor
~awkwardly. joking loudly TO hide hi:
own discomfort.
The rest Of the evening passed
with amazing speed. Afterwards. M
what they had talked about. II wa:
an evening Of small words. small
thoGFhts-and hidden drama.
But at the door. when Todd anc
Kathleen were going. the drama
came from its place OF concealment
Lois assisted Kathleen with =. Coz,
and for a second the girls faced
each other. brown eyes looking
steadily into blue.
said Lois: II like you. Kathleen
Shannon
And | like you, Lois"
ave have a great deal in com.
mon-and | want to see you again."
Kathleen did not answer at once
Then he said: Il hope you will. Oul
lives don't run together naturally
But any time there Is anything you
wait 10 dscUss-"
Her land came out. Lois graspec
IL warmly.
Ard then the adieu. were said a-t
the guest deDarted. Bob Terry
smiled sheepishly az Lois.
did o like them. Lois"
She answered with a fervor which
he could not understand.
"She is wonderful, Bob love
her."
Peter Borden glanced at the card
Y Then he gave an order 10 his office
boy.
show Mr.. Richardson in."
Within q minute the lad retur cl
4 followed by the shy. diffiGent fig
ure Of Bruce 7 .chardson. The youn,
man was visibly rvo His man
Iner-never too pOsitive-was aEolo.
I Eetic, vet there was a firmness abouI
the lips which marked a certain
strength Of character whifi no on,
save his most Intimate friends sus
pected.
The office boy withdrew. ana, g
Borden's invitation. Richardson seet
ed himself. He was plainly dress
ed. but clothes sat well upon him
lie did not seem to fit into tn
austere business atmosphere Of TIT
steel plant office.
Borden looked upon the young mar
with genuine affection.
And what brings you here
Bruce ="
Richardson looked up. almost Al
though frightened.
Something deucedly UNPLEASANT"
"You don't mean that"
II do. Ii is frankly. Mr.. Borden
something which is none o. my bus
mess. ! am ~ ming the risk Of De
ing thought a contemplate cad. Ger
tainly ! am mixing into an affair
which isn't mine"
, II see. And that is"
an the first place. II isn't ca Y
You may think a good deal less 81
me when I'm finished. I've though
It all out. Mr.. Border, and IN spite
of the risk-I haven't the right no
the courage 70 keep silent"
Borden was amazed. He had know