Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-09

sitting up very straight, ana ner gray
eyes were wide open. At last she be-
gan to shake her head slowly, and
queer little smile played round her
mouth while her forehead was frown-
ing.
EYES," she said, ''they do look a trifie
psle'
The girl had reached the spot where
the easel stood, and we had better
view of the blossoms than when she
had been more directly approa ching us.
I glanced hastily at Lucy Ann.
"Those are not my roses" said I.
'"They're not roses at all, she re-
Joined. They're pond Iuies.''
"Pond liliesr' I exclaimed. where
should she get pond MliesT
'tThere are few already at the up
per end of the lake." said she
"But do you suppose she's been up
there alone?''
Somebody has," answered she.
Chats certain"
I took up the oars and pulled toward
the shore with the stroke of a tired
fisherman who has been out in the rain
all day. Lucy Ann sat in the stern
and tried to Look sympathetic, but she
failed. When the boat touched the
beach, did not Immediately arise.
leaned forward upon the oars.
did you see her toss anything in
through the Window" asked.
"Yes,' replied Lucy Ann in the hush
ed voice appropriate to a delicate SUBJ
ject.
might have been a bean bag by the
way she threw it, ehY'
II didn't particularly notice." said
Lucy Ann.
You're a great girl" said I, extend
ing my hand to assist her to rise.
Don't say anything about this fool
ishness."
ooh, nor said she. IT won't tell a
single soul"
She gained the shore with my assist
ance and waited while I made the
painter fast.
"where is your rose?' asked, turn
ing toward her. -.
She put up her hand hastily to her
throat.
'T fastened it there" said she. 'Tt
must be IN the boat
But 1t wasn't. Lucy Ann expressed
appropriate sorrow, but she did not
spend much time looking for the rose.
AS we climbed the steep bank Jimmy
Lauoine suddenly appeared at the top
of 1t. Els face wore that gravely pleas
ed look which was habitusl with him
and always slightly accumulated when
he had performed a task, for Jimmy
had ehs satisfaction OF believing that
whatever he did was better done than
it could have been by another.
where were you thfs~ afternoon p
asked Lucy Ann.
"Out on the lake" answered the boy.
ct went out wish Mr. Derringer and
Mr.. TrasaS."
What to dor
pond lilies" said Jimmy 1aconically.
Lucy Ann did not pursue the subject.
/ turned a glance of suspicion upon
Jimmy, but 1t was obviously unjust.
He might have juggled with my errand
had been alone, but not when the
commission had been accepted in the
presence of Miss Witherspoon, whose
schoolma'am manner seemed to hold
him in strict discipline Moreover, he
was not In the least troubled by my
look.
'I took 'em up," said he. "She told
me that she was much obliged"
/ removed my hat i'm acknowledgment
of the lady's message, and then we
walked silently up to the house.
At my door found Derrfnger knock
ing.
where were you after lunchT' he
asked. "Trask and wanted you to 60
out on the lake. We got some pond
lilies. Come up and. TIL show you
mine
care they all there?' I asked.
"All? he echoed. why, Of course.
All that got Trask has some"
How about JimmyT'
"He didn't want any. What are you
driving at?''
somebody's been sending lilies to
the girl"
Derringer exhibited great surprise.
"You don't mean it!' he exclaimed.
ITo BE Continued .
Worth Knowing.