Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast

Bradish walked to one of the windows. He stared sharply at the girl who

hurried in. Her hat and face were shrouded in an automobile veil, and

the cloistered light of the big room helped to conceal her features.

But Bradish seemed to recognize something about her in spite of the

vagueness of outline. When she spoke to her father the young man's eyes

snapped in true astonishment.

"I couldn't explain it very well over the telephone, papa, so I came

right down. Do forgive me if I bother you for just a minute." She

glanced quickly at the young man beside the window, but found him merely

an outline against the light.

"Only one of our clerks," said her father. "What is it, my girl?"

"It's Nan Burgess's house-party at Kingston! There's to be an automobile

parade--all decorated--at the fête, and I want to go in our big car,

and have it two days. I was afraid you'd say no if I asked you over the

telephone, but now that I'm right here, looking you in the eyes with all

the coaxing power of my soul, you just can't refuse, can you, papa?"

"I think perhaps I would have consented over the telephone, Alma."

"Then I may take the car?" Her playful tones rose in ecstatic crescendo.

The impulsiveness of her nature was displayed by her manner in accepting

this favor. She danced to her father and threw her arms about him.

She exhibited as much delight as if he had bestowed upon her a gift of

priceless pearls. The exuberance of her joy appeared to annoy him a bit.

"Gently, gently, Alma! If you waste your thanks in this manner for a

little favor, what will you do some day for superlatives when you are

really eager to thank some-body for a big gift?"

"Oh, I'll always have thanks enough to go around--that's my disposition.

The folks who love me, I can love them twice as much. You're a dear old

dad, and I know you want me to run along so that you can go to making a

lot more money. So I'll just take myself out from underfoot."

When she turned she glanced again at the person near the window, and

this time she got a good look at his face. Even the veil could not

hide from Bradish the color which spread into her cheeks. She was so

conscious of her embarrassment and of her appearance that she did not

turn her face to her father when he spoke to her.