Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-08-24

"Ch0NAs SbS CtAlO dU-
dressing the words more TO herself
than TO him. If you are such an limo
cent as you would have me Think Do
you know what you asked me just
then?
"Yes; I asked you IT,
stop. You need not repeat IL. /
heard IL the first time and goodness
knows that once is enough. II was not
at all proper question TO ask n lady
giri-a woman. If you give me many
more starts like that, won't answer
for the Consequences Kansas City
girls can stand pretty much anything.
but you are one too many for me. If
you have any more questions like that
enc to ask. suppose YOU write them
down and let me- rrnd them at my lei
sure. III think them over and reply
to them by letter wien | get back
home. Oh. dear, VIII YOU hc offended
If laugh? I've got 10 laugh. or cry.
or scream. or somethiug"' And she
did break into laughter uttering peal
after peal of the musical sound. but il
was more historical than mlrth pro
voking. Lisle only stared mt her In
amazement. His feelings were hurt
but he was far too prnud to say 80
Presently she recovered. and they
walked along silently side 10y side
Il feel as though 1 were In China"
she said at last, possessing herself
again of his arm. which she had to
shape to her uses before taking 1t 81
have been told that they do every
thing backward there. and here you
are the one who is offended, while l
ought to be simply speechless with out
ragged modeSty. You are certainly the
most refreshing subject that ever en-
countered. wonder II it would wake
you up il should kiss you"
The spirit OF mischief was in her
now. She felt that the arm TO which
, she chung belonged to a child-a child
who was sleeping. who had slept long
enough and who ought TO be awakened
but she was not prepared for the
calm reply that she received to a
proposition that would have startled
any other man than the one beside her.
you may do so, IL you like" said
Isle, unmoved and with the utmost
seriousness. u have never kissed any
body but my father. In all probability
will never do SO again. l have no
, objections. II you have not
She was shaking with laughter.
, Presently the paroxysm passed, and
then demurely she raised her pink and
white face until IL hung just beneath
/ his. The moonlight shone full upon II,
! and Lisle noticed then foe the first time
how delicately formed IL was, how soft
and clear and sweet II appeared In that
mellow light. He saw how round and
blue and perfect were her eyes, half
plunged In shadow by the dropping
lashes that fringed them, dancing with
, mischief. They reminded him Of fairy
, elfins. peeplng out from their rose leaf
concealment, prepared at the first
alarm TO pull the leaves together and
/ hide. He saw two perfect lips, be-
witchingly puckered, red. like ripe
cherries; soft, like new velvet, like the
rose leaves behind which the fairies
few to hide, and he leaned over and
touched them with his own.
They walked on In silence after that.
/ That was funny" she said pres,
, emily. -~----sS----- - ssS-ss .~'~-T-
What was funny?" asked Lisie.
That Your lips are Just like
woman's. You kissed me just like
! woman. wonder II you were not cut
, out for one and spoiled in the max
ing"
1 Isle shook himself free from her
F, arm and leaped away. His eyes blazed
at her. his nostrils dilated with anger.
his lips quivered, and his whole being
| trembled in the effort no made TO con.
troll his rage.
You are my guest" he said when ne
dared to speak. but his voice was low
and fierce with passion. II cannot re-
! sent that as would like TO do. But
{, Will tell you this: A mana cowboy
! one of Craig Thompson's men said
those words to me once, and shot
him."
"Shot him! Good graciousl Did you
F., kin him.?
Not then. but afterward did"
"B-r-r-r! Well. guess you're man
{; all right-in some ways. If not In 9th.
! ers. Are you madT
Il am angry"
"Bosh! Because said that7 didn't
mean it. VIII that suffice? I'm sorry
We're even, anyhow. You offended me-
and l didn't cherish il up. so you
mustn't. Kiss me again, and let's be
| friends"
you will say that kiss like WON
an
''No. won't won't say word
Herew
She put her arms around his neck
then and drew his face down to hers
She did the kissing this time without
waiting for him, and she held Lisle's
| race against ner own until he put her
| from him and turned away, with a
wondering sigh.
THAT was better" was Miss Thorn
| as comment as she grasped his arm
| again and led him toward the house
Look! There are our daddles still
talking II over. and as sure as l live
there is a Chinaman in the doorway
Supper must be ready, and I'm simply
| starved"
CHAPTER TX.