The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-07-01
M Easand 1ntelllaepcen
BEL AIR, Md, JULY /, 1904.

are the hest. remember that what I
admired most about Teddy was that he
could wiggle his ears and move his
scalp"
A suspicion came to me. How long
ago was that?" | asked Sternly.
"Oh, don't know! 1t was the sum-
mer was ten"
Another pause while medtated and
stole chances ut Phyllis. How lovely
she was-bruwI hair. inclined to curl;
brown eyes. with little CLINT of gold
in them; brown skin, with tinge OF
healthy red; small. slender, captivating.
Phyllis" | said suddenly. Il have
been wanting to ask you for long
time. I-I-What'S the use of putting
me off? II
She rose hastily. 81 had nearly for
gotten Juanita, daughter of Juan. T.
"IIang the daughter of Junn!' ! en-
claimed Il want an answer. You
don't need lifetime to consider. l'hyl-
lis, dear, don't you know what l am
trying to say? Can't you help fellow
out littlc:" / halted and wiped my
perSpirinS brow.
Il think you are trying to ask me If
won't try the sign of the love vine
with you" she answered sWeetly.
why, OF course l WILL
So, Il trifle sulkily, / went across the
hot, white sand, and Phyllis went with
me, picking her way daintily over the
rocks, avoiding the cactus plants.
which. though engaging enough to cali
forth rare adjectivcs from Phyllis.
were not desirable at close quarters.
Here luXuriantly grew the doddcr,
parasite, clinging and golden; thicf
and Il murderer Of the plant on which
it feeds. We each tore off piece ana
went back to the sycamore.
1--WE will put it right here on this
BUSH" she said. You see there is none
for yards around, so we can't make
any mistake We won't come here for
n week. and then we will come togcth-
cr and see if it has lived"
"And if it hast"
"If it has," she said shyly, and if
| Phyllis is charming when she smiles
and delightful when she frowns she is
| altogether irresistible when she is shy
IF it has, why, we love each other
truly, and-anI'-
And we will marry!' cried. trying
| to catch her in my arms, but she ran
| swiftly toward the cabin of the daush-
| ter of Juan, calling back over her
| shoulder:
but 1t may not live, you know"
To-day we visit the sycamore"
| whispered to Phyllis when the week
had gone.
"At O'clock" she whispered back.
| ITS too warm now"
AS though the heat had ever before
| mattered to the little witch. She had
disappeared. and my book was dull.
1t was only 3. | might as well take
| walk till she was ready. Strangely,
soon found myself at the sycamore
tree, looking around for our love vine.
1t had not lived!
| / looked across the cleaning white
sand and up into the cloudless sky.
| Ii had to be done, Of course. | took of
my coat and sighed. Then out into the
relentless sunshine | walked. out
| where luXuriantly grew the dodder,
| clin3ing and golden, IL thief and 4
murdcrcr-yes. ana Il liar, too. but
! would soon remedy that.
| In few moments every bush near
the sycamore was Respondent with
| love vine, looking as though it had
grown there for years. As picked up
| q telltale thread from the road and
Strengthened up to admire my handi
work / nearly fell fiat upon it. Under
the sycamore tree stood Phyllis, 4 coy
cred basket upon Ter arm ard cold
cold look on her lovely face!
81 am glad l found you out" she
said witheringly, sitting down upon
the extreme end Of the log, before it
was forever too late
| ] sat down OH the other extreme end.
Phyllis" l said solemnly, have you
not yet learned that man would com
NIT any crime for beautiful woman?
And surely what I did is not so bad as
| murder, Or-or-arson, is it:'
Not quite so bad, perhaps" she
sighed.
l moved nearer. She set the basket
between us. AS 1 scowled at it saw
hanging from it a yellow thread.
| pulled at it stealthily. 1t was dodder.
That creation of willow Was full Of
| dodder.
Then 1 set the basket deliberately
upon the ground and took Phyllis into
my arms.
'There may have been eXtenuating
| circumstances" she Aurmured.