The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-08-26
HIS FIRST LOVE.

Il
when you make them ride away?
Hartland asked, with a twinkle
wholly unabashed.
Avis turned reproachful shoulders
to him.
IF all of them kissed me do you
think should not accept one OF
them--as a watchdog is nothing
moreN'
81 know should m AXE an excel
lent watchdog-the very best sort, )
Har!land said, laying his hand upon
the shoulder farthest and whirline
her half around.
Avis flung up her head, saying:
"We will not QUARREL over an idle
jest. Spend these last moments In.
Stead IN telling me-
"What?' Hartlanc asked as she
paused tentatively.
For breA tn she was silent; then
said very slowly: "relIing me YOU
understand me; thatyou know l like
US to be what we are--just good
lellows"-
"But Know nothing OF the sort,'
llartland said, smiling whimsicaIIy.
"Contrarywise, I'm strongly Of the
opinion that you would have been
sadly disappointed II had not m ade
love to you ;his once if no more.'
'Whal makes you believe so? Avis
said pretending to frown' though
there were ghosts CT dimp'es about
her lips.
IlartIand bent TO look into her
eyes. The fact that you are your.
self" I've said.
$50 you think I've been acting"
Avis said, with puut.
"Act'ns one part o! yourself, Hart
land answered, turning lIer hand
palm upward within his own and
'racin. It's lines with care,siug fin.
ger tips.
"h!ced. Tell me- ought I to look
shocked? Is that The way Tie Others
do when you break out this way?'
Avis asked, merry malice in her eyes
llartlaad laughed lndu,xentIy, II
am'not quite certain on that poin't,"
he said. Dut this l do know-yuu must
make up your mind 10 marry me
just ~ soon as am ready.
MAY ] ask when that will be-"
Avis said demurely, pulling away
her hand and dropping Ter lashc.,.
"As soon as | have maize terms
wlth-the other woman he said.
Luckily it is mainly a question Of
money. | can afford TO buy my
freedom
Did you ever think you loved
her!' Avis asked.
ll;rtiaud laughed. II was surs of
it until | saw you," he answered.
Avis eyes grew wistful. might
you not 1--we her again if you went
back to herr she asked. HartIa and
nodded. 'perhaps that is, if there
was 20 chance Of you
What is she like Avis demanded
eagerly.
Hartland locked at her with
yelled twinkle. she is everything
that you are not. / think that de-
srfihes her best" he said. You
see, this is an affair Of years. 1t
goes back almost TO my college
days.
II think you had better keep on
with her. Avis sail, drawing lit.
tie away. liarSland lau sheI. 1T
is too late" he said she knows
all about You. made up my mind
that she must know last week"
"Ycu might might tell her you
had been joking telling tarryAd-
dies to test her temper. Did she
show herself a catt" Avis asked
eagerly. But of course you can't
answer that. l dare say she refer
red you to her lawyer
Nothing Of the sort" HnrtlanI
said. she is too we'll bred for such
u suggebtion-granle dame to her
finger tips the sort that always
m"kas you think of ancestors and
old silver and point lace aud velvet
gowns. She's worth Il lot of money
but has no special income. Pun GO
ing away to SEQ that she is proper
ly placed in life"
Suppose that she Should find
someone else AVIS began.
Hartlant smiled eligmatirally.
"She has found someone else" he
said, but there's matter of mon
ey in the way, No! don't ask anot.l-
er question. shall be back within
Il week. DO you think that is too
long timer
II could send off a dozen men in
just one day" Avis said, half turn
ing from him. But it may turn
out you will not leave her at all.
Anyhow shall be very nice to poor
Vallery we SEQ what we
shall see,''
'Do, by all MEANS" Har.land re-
turned. Meantime hurry with the !
wedding garments"
THAT is advisable with a man
SO tickle" Avis said over her should
er as she ran away.
Hartland came back a day before
the week end so ratliantly happy
there was no gainsaying Inn Al
most before Avis, most capricious
OF coluettes, knew it she was
married and whispered away in u
coach behind four spanking bays.
1t was not the least bit romantic
therefore all tho more to her mind,
this sitting in the boxseat while her
new husband handled reins and
whip, and the smiling summer land
scape melted into soft dun distances
on either hand.
They went at rafting pace, and
in The joy OF II AVIS almost forgot
her new sposilion and the unseen
rival, thoughts Of whom had haunt.
sd her through liie nights. OF course