Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-05-11
"His hair is cut so we'll"

know it. He simply follows me like
my shadow. If go on the pier, he ID
there. II l take a book and sit on the
parade, he Is there again. can only
escape him nv Using my bike, ana
can't be always hiking. Besides, the
roads are not very good about Eastsea
It's a perfect shame we don't know
each other. I am certain he Is a gen.
tleman-in spite Of what Bob and Mabel
say. He has that lordly bearing and
those aristocratic features one reads OF
in novels. OF course, Bob and Mabel
know nothing of such matters.
To tell the truth, I'm bit disguised
with him. / shouldn't mind SO very
much II he did speak to me, but l can't
very well tell him so. l suppose he's
afraid should snub him. OF course I
should have to pretend to be very
angry.
And then there's Mabel. II she found
out-well, l should be packed Off home
at once. Still, something must be done.
He is growing desperate. So am I.
have found a way. 1t is simple, yet
effective. lam going to tumble of my
"bike"-on purpose-and he will come
to my rescue. 1t is an original idea and
rather takes my breath away. l won
der what Mabel would say II she knew.
Really, think she would faint.
have arranged everything beauti-
fully. Between and 8 every evening
he PAGES the parade, smoking. This Is
the hour when l shall put my design
into execution. I shall pass him, van
ish around the corner, quickly dis
mount, lay my machine in the road, and
sit on the curbstone nursing my ankle.
If all goes well he will be the first per-
son to find me. l shall explain that 1
have had a nasty spill and damaged
myself. He will give me his arm and
assist me home. Thus we shall become
acquainted.
All goes well. l pass him, turn sharp
ly around the corner, jump off, lay my
machine down, and sit on the curbstone
with a woebegone expression on my
face. A few minutes later he comes In
sight, naturally looks after me, sees
me hors de combat, and files to my as
sistance.
"You are hurt?" he says, eagerly.
looked up in feigned agony.
at is my ankle" I murmur; 81 think
have sprained It," and rub 1t gently.
am glad put on my best silk stock
ings and my newest shoes.
II will fetch a cab" he goes on.
II think-i think l could manage II
you gave me your arm" answer. ut
isn't very far"
He helps me up. I manage to limp
very prettily, though I'm afraid I'm not
so pale as ought to be. However, |
succeed In concealing this little def
cheney by holding my handkerchief to
my face.
Shall ever forget Mabe's expression
when she sees us? 1t Is all can do to
keep from laughing. She opens the
door for US, and l explain matters. She
thanks my rescuer with frlgid polite
ness and helps me to the sofa.
"Thank you very much, Mr.. -"
murmur, sweetly, as / give him my
hand.
my name is cunningham" he
stammers. "C-Captain Cunningham"
Then he bows himself out. Captain
Cunningham! knew he was well con-
nected. And how he pressed my hand.
As the door closes on him Mabel, who
has been in state of suppressed
wrath, practically explodes. answer
that I couldn't help falling. A fib is
necessary here. Then ask her If she
doesn't think it lucky he happened to
be passing. She only bites her lip in
silence. / smile.
My sprained ankle causes me some IN
convenience. Mabel, who fuses about
a pin scratch, insists on keeping me on
the couch for a couple Of days and
anolnts the injured place with quarts
of embrOcatiOn.
This has a wonderful effect. I am
better In no time. With the aid of n
stick Ut won't do to recover all at once
l get out on the front, eager, expectant.
The captain has called twice to inquire
after me, and now he hastens to my
side.
We spend a very pleasant morning.
His acquaintance with the titled class
es Is extraordinary. He Ia a personal
friend of the Prince Of Wales and has
stayed at Sandringham. He says he
has come to Eastsea to recuperate. He
tells me there are times when he tires
of the constant whirl Of pleasure In
which he lives; times when he loves TO
steal away to some retired spot with q
sympathetic companion. Here he gives
me look that cannot be misconstrued
fancy he is a poetist. shall ask
him to write some verses In my album.
see him often now. ! ask him In to
afternoon tea. He pleads an engage
ment, however. As n matter of fact,
don't think he cares for Mabel. am
not surprised. Her attitude, toward
him is-well, rude.
wonder IL am In love with him. He
Is with me.
On the Friday evening Bob brings
papa back with him to stay till Mon
day. This doesn't upset me In the least.
l can twist papa round my little finger.
Nevertheless, secretly wonder what
he will think Of the captain.
After dinner l take a seat In the win
dow. He walks up and down the
parade at this hOur-waiting for me.
Papa comes to look at the sunset. He
is certain to see Ferdinand (Ferdinand
Is the captains name, one CT them at
least; he has nearly DOZEN.