The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1905-04-12

11cament? The worst gossip in East
erly on her way to the yacht, and she,
Sibyl Wainwright, unchaperoned and
| helpless, on board AIathewson sup
pressed a smile
Would you care to hide?' he sug-
gested civilly.
HIDE repeated Miss Wainwright
with contemptuous scorn. 1t was
quite in her conception of him that he
should make such a proposition
Mathewson. intently studying the bit
of ear vouchsafed him and noting the
detected poise of the slender figure,
felt his mouth tighten. A curious
light leaped to his eyes.
"Tll do it, he murmured 1T is a
big chance, but The next moment
he was welcoming his guests. As
Mrs. Marshall extended a plump hand
he bowed low.
Il want you to meet Miss Vain
wright he said distinctly In fact,
the little tea today is given for her.
Our engagement is not yet announced,
but l wished you to be among the first
to learn of it."
Miss Wainwright, the color flooding
to her temples, bent to put Teddyboy
on the deck When she lifted her
head to receive Mrs. Marshall's felici-
tations and warm handclasp her smile
was quite natural
II am indeed greatly to be con-
graduated" she said composedly.
See what a dear little dog l have
just gained
Mathewson bit his lip. He had not
known exactly what he had expected,
but it was certainly not this. The girl
with calm self control took up her role
of hostess, insisting that the older wom-
an should make the tea, quietly order
ing fresh supply of anything lacking.
Mathewson watched her, dull ache
at his heart. How sweet, how woman
~, she was! His audacious announce
ment to Mrs. Marshall had been the
fruit of an impulse, actuated by such
varied and complex motives that he
himself could not entirely disentangle
his reasons for it,
He had never dreamed of finding her
at Easterly, much less on his own boat.
But, seeing her now. gracious, tactful,
dispensing his hospitality to his guests.
the empty mockery of it all, the bitter
ness of this travesty upon his longings,
brought tightening to his throat. Why
had he not been able to keep her in
those old days? When Mrs. Marshall
rose he contrived that Miss Wainwright
should be the last to leave. AS she
moved toward the gangway Mathew
son interposed.
You must forgive me-" he began I'M
steadily. IL meant we'll But 1 was
probably wrong! l usually am. The
yacht is only here for the day. l was
leaving tomorrow in any case. You can
then deny the ngagement-break it,
what you will. You know we'll how /
feel.'
Miss Wainwright lifted clear eyes.
And TeddybOy?" she questioned.
"Oh, Teddyboy is yours Stake him."
responded the man YEARLY "You were
right. His ears would look better short.
A>~A Az oOC OCOA lOO Olu SHOULD nave
had it done when / bought him back"
The girl started forward.
mo, no." she cried impulsively. sThe
long, fioppy ones are much nicer. II
should have hated you if you had cut
them. And Live both love him
and-and if it had not been for his
bark this afternoon I've Oh. Ted
dy!' as Mathewson sprang to her side.
Are you people never coming?" call
ed voice from the boat IF you are
engaged, please remember that the rest
Of us are mere prosaic mortals and |
must get home to dinner
Mathewson, his face aglow with sup |
excitement, leaned over the |
rail-
Just a second till 1 get my cap" he
answered jubilantly. Il am coming
ashore with you after all. That's it.
steady now, Sibyl-these steps are
'teep-and for heavens sake don't drop