Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1905-03-11

haughtily shook away the hand he had
dared to place OH her arm. What u
little spltfire you are! Come for
trip on the river; it will cool YOU"
THANK you, Mr.. Learey, but I am
not paid TO take trips oil the river"
answered Melinda, n frosty CLEAN COM
ing into her eyes. II have my duty to
the office to consider"
DUTY fiddlesticksw was the charm
ing young gentleman's comment.
Business won't be paralyzed because
you and are absent half day. You're
looking pale, and spin OH the river
will put color into those pretty cheeks
of yours. You can plead headache.
and I'll make it all right with the old
man, 'pon my honor"
Now Mr.. Paul Learey. according to
his lights, really meant to be kind,
but he committed an alarming indis-
erection when, undeterred by his pre-
vious rebuff, he passed his arm coolly
through Melinda's and tried to turn her
steps in the direction of the river.
In an instant she flung around OH
him, with burning tide of blood rush
ing to her brow.
Your honorw she repeated. cutting
ly. "Wlat do you suppose it is worth,
Mr.. Learey? Put it up for auction.
and there won't be ghost of bid
for it. 1t is indeed strange kind
of honor which tempts girl to scamp
her work, and then puts lie into her
mouth to gloss over the transgress ION.
Once for all, Mr.. Learey, will you IN
Gerstand that your company is distastc-
full to me?"
Then Melinda stumbled into pass
ing omnibus, leaving behiaH her an
abashed and crestfallen man, who for
the first time in his life began to doubt
his own powers of fascina lion.
That night Melinda, having regis
tered an inward VOW never TO trust
herself to the front street again while
there was n possible, chance OF encoun-
tering Paul Learey there, consulted
solicitor concerning the dog next door.
But it was small comfort TIE man OF
law could give her.
II have seen the deeds OF Mr.. Loon
ard Pottar's property. and you have
no right of road past his garden gate
he advised.
The result OF this eye-oDening con-
sultation was that very FILTERED heap
of lovely maidenhood besought Leon
ard Pottars pardon next day. and re-
ceived it with Il readiness which
brought singing tears of self-reproach
to her eyes.
nd vi
more, Miss Templeton," the young man
said, kindly. Il have chained Linn
tightly to his kennel"
But Melinda. desperately determined
to make full atonemcnt, would not rest
content until Ludwig had been released
from the degrading chain which Called
his neck; and the old dog, to show his
gratitude, relaxed his canine dignity,
and let her caress his velvety ears with
still more velvety hand.
Leonard Pottar had never been n
keen horticulturist; but all at once he
developed an astonishing zeal for the
cultivation OF flowers, and it became
quite common sight to sec him wan-
dering up and down the garden paths
with big water can in his hand. bus
lily sprinkling everything that grew,
whether it needed it or not.
Happening to glance through Il gap
in the hedge one day lie beheld her
in angry converse with Paul Learey,
who had recovered from his fit OF the
sulks and WAS once more carrying on
his senseless persecution of her.
The young man heard her, in scorn-
full tones that cut like 4 whip, bid her
employer an emphatic Good evening""
at the same time extending her hand
rs still broader hint that this grace
full retirement was expected. But
there are some men whose conceit is
impervious to snubs. and Paul Learey
was one OF them. He drew nearer to
her and fatuously tried TO put his hand
beneath her rounded chin. and all in
her white heat of anger she spread out
her little fingers and smartly boxed
his ears.
The next moment cry of "At him.
Ludwig" rang out on the still evening
air, and the old dogs few remaining
teeth fastened themselves on the flying
Mr.. Lcarey like vice, and all tho
dandy's kicking and cu-sinS would not
serve TO 6islodgc him.
whistle back this brute of n dog.
Mr.. Pottar," he clustered, 'or 1 will
call policeman r
Don't do that If you value your
liberty" retorted Leonard, sarcasti-
cally. "The policeman might take the
wrong animal"
Then he gripped the tall dandy by
the shoulders and bundled him igno-
miniously out of the garden, returning
few minutes later with n slightly
heightened color. but otherwise quite
cool and composed.
There is Il pond 1T the bottom of
the field, and Mr.. Learey fell into it."
he explained, in answer 10 Melindas
anxious inquiry. Its all right" he
added, as the girls eyes dllated; "he
scrambled out again on ihe other side"
On the morrow there was vacant