Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-11-07
SUPPLYING A CLIMAX
nt Mns. ,. !. nAtNn.


felt deeply the humiliation, especially as he
knew iiom her own lips that her reason for
refusing him was that he took her accept
ance for granted His easy self-assupnee
made her doubt his appreciation Of her
value, and Dolly thought much Of herself,
as she was justified IN doing So they part
ed friends, but not acknowledged lovers.
No letters passed between the two, but
the next summer when they met al a wa
tering resort they were unafectedly glad OF
the encounter. Dolly had Just stepped from
yacht, sunburned and radiant, % be-
coming costume, when a "hanheled oaf APP
peared before her with outstretched hand.
Allen You hereyH She said cordially,
with an unmislakable note Of pleasure in
her voice
'Dorothy You hereT and Mr. saun-
ders was so enthusiastic in his sautation
that Dolly stepped back alarmed Yet she
was pleased too. but this taking possession
OF her was too much like the al-conquering
hero of old.
Where are the rest Of your crowdY
asked the young man, for the yacht had
gone on to it's own pier. leaving her alone
except for her new friend
oh the family are at the hotel, and
went sailing with the Lenox crowd. It's
awfully stupid here, The engaged couples
are SO pokey, of by themselves all the time
incoming and spuoning.' and Dolly turned
up her pretty nose with seorn.
But they have an awfully good time
said Allen, beaming on her
How dc you know she asked suspi
oiously. oh OF course ] have no right to
ask, Air Saunders, excuse me.
You have every right in the world, re-
torted Allen. Say, Dolly, please don't call
me Mr. Saunders again, or ! shall tip my
hat aud walk away And | want to make il
real lively for you whlej am here"
How will you do it, asked Dorothy, un.
convinced 81 hate tennis, golf croquet and
all other tame, civilized, brain-deadening
games I'm tired of the water, and even
ing hops are simply maddening. Can you
devise new pleasant way Of killing timeF
Il can, said Allen only instead of kill
ing old time we will rejuvenate him. I've
brought a runabout and two good steeds.
We Will do the surrounding country on
horseback, or en- voiture, and study nature
at her banquets, and Wen make everybody
wonder what will be next on the programme
! can sing, and you can dance; we will Sc
leet vaudeville to vary the monOtony
Stupidy ! reckon not
But we will be 3e whole thing, Allen
and people will say that-l-that you-that
We
That we are engaged Let them think
so as long as we know that we are not. That
is where the fun comes in Keep them
guessing. 1t will be such a surprise to them
all to have me appear without any an
nouncement and do all the nice things foi
tnu flta bop to hoV
omitted. A nice lot TO let you wander about
by yourself
There is no one here that ! care particu-
larly for, said Dorothy, demurely IL
rather prefer going alone.
BY this time they were at the hotel, and
| Allen. who was with club Of bachelor
friends, said good morning after getting
permission to call on the family that after.
noon Mrs. Archer had always liked the
young man. so bad her married daughter,
and they wondered at Dorothy's pervefsity
in refusing one so eligible in every way. AND
they really believed she more than liked
Allen herself.
Now began a stirring up Of the dead bones
and paralyzed costumes at this especial sum
mer outing place. They did not dine and
wine monkeys, nor have parties for pet
poodles and parrots, but healthy outdoor
\ extravaganzas took the place Of insipid
| dawdling, and there was a rush, breezi-
ness, about everything that forced people
/ out of their beds to see the SUI rise and be
| served with hot waffles and coffee on the
lawns and verandas Then they rode until
/ tired and rested until refreshed Allen
| Saunders was the head and front of the
movement, and Dorothy was willing aid
| She laughed and shook her head when hints
flew broadcast that Allen was her accepted
| lover, but denial only acOentuated suspi
cons
As the end of the season drew near and
the Archers were about to leave, Allen sug-
/ gested an entertainment that would be at
once novel and surprise. This was a mock
marriage with the principals disguised A
/ long train OF bridesmaids and groomsmen
would make this possible, but greater sur
prise was limited at and 1t was easy to guess
that this would be the turning Of tine mock
marriage into real one None but chosen
/ few knew or thought they knew, what the
sequel was to be The brides dress was an.
nounced as something marvellous and all tn,
traditions Of fashion were exhausted in its
description, but no one had seen it or would
see it until the moment Of the ceremony.
1t was early morning OF the day on the
evening of which the entertainment was TO
take place, and Dorothy was sitting alone
by the lake drawing inspiration from the
fresh wafer breeze and sheltered from view
by an upturned rowboat. Two men passed
who were talking intimately. and Dorothy
recognized the manly tones Of her "oaf 4"
She listened without seruple Allen was
urging his companion, younger man, to do
something to which the ether objected
Marriage is too sacred a thing to be
trihed with in that way-I do not approve
Of 1t at all, were the words Dolly heard.
'You win merely be anticipating an event
I Of the future and using your privilege as
theological student who has taken holy or.
ders. There are none who viii object, and
We have loved each other for years"
Aliens voice trailed Of into silence ana
Dolly rose from her seat by the lake and
with a piqued, puzzled look on her face went
back 60 the hotel According to an eonven-
tioual customs she was not TO see her bride.
groom-for she was the -elect-uutil
she faced him at the altar, aud 10 this mocl
marriage they observed all the traditions
with serupulous propriety
When the great decorated hal which was
TO serve as a church was flled 70 h. utmost
with an eager crowd Of amused and expect.
ant guests. and all the wedding party had
/ assembled, men and maids disguised by
masks, a masked clergyman waiting with
open book and a masked bridegroom eager
togreet has bride, who was to enter ATTENDED
by a maid Of honor, telegram was handed
TO the bridegroom, who, Of course, was an
len Saunders. He opened 1t and read.
wishing to contribute climax Of sur.
prise 10 the evening, have aDsented myself
from the entertainment, prefeuing the role