The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-04
FINDER AND SPARK.
M GEORGE HYDE pRESTON.

BY GEORGE HYDE PRESTON. 1 Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co) T am so glad that we are not in love. ' sighed Nan. contentedly. "Of course" agreed Dick. but why this outburst of J thankfulness?' t Because. if we were. I would be look ing at you instead of at this wild bit Of Oregon coast would not see this | stretch Of cliffs that swings so grand'y l out to sea, and ends in that belligerent rock on which sits Tiliamook light
 You are quite eloquent Man., put in l Dick. E<ask l .'oh, love this coast and this grand. | big Pacific!" went on Nan. unheeding. ''The Atlantic. What is that! just across "a little s,0oo miles. or so--is littlef old | Europe with it's shops and boulevardS. I and guide book catnedrals. But the l'a- ciic! Why, Dick!" cried the girl. turn | ing her eager face westward away | over there away over the edge, beyond that fartfest wave. is the East!--the lan- terms and tinkiing samisms of Japan; and China, with its queer lettered tea cadiies. and heather gods! The strange. twisted streets of Canton! The jade shops-the smoking josh sticks-the shouting crowdsi Indiai-the fakirs-thc currie-the dancing girls-the blistering days-the soft nights-the tropic odors- the magic-the romance!"
 Walt. a minute, Nan! Let me catch up'' cried Dick. Aren't you trifle sentimental? And you know your phrase. that a girl who tries to be sentimental Is q fool!'
 Yes answered Nan. ''and I'll cap it with another; that the girl who tries not to be Is bigger fool"
 Good gracious, Nan! you will be sem timental about me nextf' :.
 ''No danger" she retorted, with toss of her head. T know all about you. Sentiment romance. is founded upon mystery went on Nan. positively. '"rhere must be something that you don't krow--and want to know. Look at that lonely light house, Dick, with the waves tossing about it They say that there are four men stationed there all the | while. to keep one another from going mad with loneliness All winter long. in raging storms, in fogs. through the long nights and the dark days. they sit and 1 think-of whati can imagine you. Dick l "a light keeper-thinking through all the winter of me, and pecring through the mists of the spring storms for sight of the lighthouse tender; praying that it come and bring you, not food or wine. or news of the great world. but my let | ter-all about myself. and about no one 
 it. and forget that there is a world! Forget everything. except mel" Nan, believe that you are making | love to mel" exclaimed Dick in a shock | ed tone. And we are the only really platonic couple on earth"
 'I will make love to you, if I want to-" retorted Nan, wrathfulTy. What is the | use of being a platonic couple if you I can't do as you want to? One must have some escape valve, or one can't continue platonic."
 ''Weil there is Danvers. Why not es- cape in his direction? He would like it?''
 MT. Danvers! Do you know, Disk l why asked you to take this long walk down the coast, and why didn't tell 8 soul at the cottage that we were so- ing3''
 "Yes; suppose you wanted to make love to me-" laughed Dick.
 "I suppose they all think that. sup pose they all think that we are in love. !" sighed Nan. But we are not, Dick, are
 help me. and keep me--platonic when
 men made love to me. We are always to
 like each other immensely, and say
 whatever we wanted to, to each other.
 and you were to come to my rescue in
 time of need-and this Is time of need.
 MT. DaHvers iH-last night he said-and IT wanted to get away from him and so asked you to come with me to- day-and here we arer' ended Nan. radi-
 antly.
 'Yes, here we are," answered Dick,
 land unless I am greatly mistaken there
 is Danvers and-another girl. think
 recognize that uneommonly ugly hat of
 his" added Dick, viciously.
 "oh. Dick. get me out of sight! 7e
 must not see me! The truth is prom
 ised to walk with him this morning, and II didn't"
 That is in your favor. anyway. Get
 behind this big rock. and they will go by without seeing us. Whom do you suppose the girl Is, Nan?
 ."IIow should know. He has the worst taste in girls-I mean generally" amend | ed Nan.
 'Ohr' said Dick.
 | n1uu