Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-08-25
IN JEST.

Dick" she said suddenly from the
depths Of the great wicker chair, do you
want me to tell You something"
Certainly" replied the man addressed,
He was sitting on the top step of the
ceranda, leauing against post and
blowing little clouds Of smoke cut upon
the night wind, which bore them softly
away. In the fare Of light which fell
across the piazza from the open door his
profile stood out as clear-cut and definite
as cameo. 1t was a strong and hand
some face. and it showed to advantage in
that light. Perhaps it was this that
made Flavia suddenly remember that
though they mad known each other from
childhood he had never even fancied him
self in love with her. Now that she had
thought of it she felt aggrieved One
might as well admit, in passing, how
ever, that such behavior on the part of
any man constituted what Favia cOnsid-
cred unpleasant manners.
You're in love" she said impresSively
Not much" replied Dick, Indifferent
iy. Never have been. rather wish |
would fall in love, though" he continued
thoughtfully.
But you can't" she argued wisely.
"A man can't fall off from a precipice
second time until he has picked himself
mp from ais first fall and gone TO the top
again, | don't want to shock You. but
You have been in love, since you were
about . years oiG-with Me-
Don't suggest such thing to me, he
laughed, or you may rue it,"
The waves rolled in lazily and broke
into foam upon the sand and the breeze
fiuttered back and forth through the
scalloped edges of the porch awning. 1t
certainly was irritating TO SIT there in the
l.t Ia Itf tivl,t 4.
was SO thoughtless as not even TO pre-
tend. FlayIa was GOaded.
Since we're on the subject it's rather
queer, though, that | haven't" he re-
marked at last.
Haven't WHAT" she asked
Fallen in love-" he replied briefly. "A
man at thirty-five ought 10 have several
volumes of romances tucked away on the
shelves of his heart. but"
You don't need to drag your age in
upon every occasion, Dick" interrupted
Flavia warmly {she was but four years
his junior, land I've never heard that
romance is confined to any particular
age"
When did you discover that state of
my heart toward you, and how do you
feel about it!' questioned Dick noncha-
lantly,
why. I've known it always. And
now | wish to make "A prediction"
Go ahead, on wondrous sibyl, I'm
braced for anything.
Within three months you will ac-
knowledge it,"
Dick burst out laughing and Flavia
joined him. although she assured him
that she was perfectly serious. Then
she rose and walked down toward the
sea wall.
There was something about Flavia's
height and bearing that suggested Olym-
pa and the goddesses. Dick had often
idly noted it, but tonight it came to him
with new VividnesS.
You needn't come she flung back at
him over her shoulder.
II don't intend to- he replied with
the cheerful frankncSs of long acquaint-
ance.
He watched her with an amused smile,
and then suddenly found himself wonder
ing why he never had fallen in love with
her. They We're til" best friends in the
world. The more he thought about it the
more puzzled he became.
Il suppose | shouldn't have said that
to dear old Dick" she solloquized, MS
she watched the moon-puth shimmering
across the water; but it's perfectly alb
Surd that he never has" she added To
herself with fine appreciation
Goodnight he called. I'm Off and
he strolled down the beach toward his
hotel. Flavia answered without turning
her head
She was taking her carly dip the next
when he sauntered along the
beach toward her. She raised a dripping
hand to wave at him, and Il moment lat
or joined him on the sand. In the bright
light of Il July morning her jest of the
night before was forgotten, and she
greeted him with her usual frank CANA
raderie. But Dick had been thinking
about her, and, without knowing it, was
looking at her in way that suggested
that he saw her for the first time At
first she did not understand. Then her
nonsense of the night before came back
70 her, and she giggled delightedly at
him
You actually look shy. Dick" she re-
marked bl0ndly. You mustn't take what
| said seriously. you know. OF course
didn't mean it.
You have said many charming
things" he replied; Ito which one Of
them do You refer
Il said. You know that you are in love
with me, she prompted, teasingly. " |
should think you'd rather like it. There
no use Of being stif about it. you know
Besides it's very improving for man 20
love a woman like me, she finished in
StructiVcly.
You might enlighten me as to the
NtttC 81 your own 1SSinES, since YOU re-
50 frank about mine" limited Dick
That said Flayia. pensiyely. lis an
other story, as Mr.. kipliuG would say"
How should fellow go about finding
it out?"
He should have an intuition" said
Flavia, profoundly. He should he able
striking an attitude) Ia discover in every
glance my tenderness for HIM. 10 feel in
the pressure Of my hand that was fond
OF him. New, have you?" she inquired,
malciously. had any such eXperienceY'
Never" he responded promptly. "Rut
on the other hand reason tells me thar
its scarcely possible that You could have
known me SO long without loving me"
Flavia looked at him approvingly, He
was rising 10 the occasion
"Rcally. Dick she said, with n change
OF tone, II believe you could 40 it If yo,.
UractisCd,"
turcd.
During the following weeks they saw
each other constantly From time Ia
tune Flavia had a disturbing sense that
the situation was getting beyond her