The Washburn leader., 1907-11-01
spread the pitch. The shoes were

spread the pitch. The shoes We're
ruined.
Mrs. Dudley was all concern, but it
began to look as though all the fates
were against Curlnan. There was not
another pair of shoes about the place
that approached his size. 1t was out
of the question to send the girl to
head of the house to the city and had
not yet returned.
'Its all over" said Carman grimly.
"I'll go to town in the morning in the
auto. Until then it will have TO be
bath slippers for me. and cannot
very well propose in bath slippers.
sit is scarcely the costume of ro-
NANCE" said Mrs. Dudley.
ut is fate" he said resignedly.
Ruth Emory will never me nine"
'Perhaps it is not as bad as that
You might write. you know comfort
ell Mrs Dudley. but Carman refused
to be comforted. He knew how vain
ly he had tried to frame letter that
would sound unlike Il business commu-
nication. 1t was only the prospect OF
her leaving that had moved him to
speaking. Now the chance was lost.
thanks to D. ID. ID.
That evening Carman sat on the
porch looking across tile water tc
where the lights betrayed the Bless
ington's place. Mrs Dudley had prom.
ised to call on a sick friend and Car
man would not hear of her remaining
at home 1t WAS nearly 10 when a fig
ure stole across the grass. and Car
man rose from his chair.
'Look out for the pitfall," he warn
ed Don't get in the brook"
81 Won't" came tie CHEEKY reply. and
Carman Sta,;ed. 1t was not Mrs. bud
ley, but Ruth Emory who presently
emerged fram tho gloom of the trees
to offer her slim. cool hand.
81 thought that Helen was here" she
said. II padded over to say goodby tf
her,
"She will be home presently. he
said eagerly. Wont you wait?"
Somehow. now that she was here. he
had lost his courage again.
Ruth sat down and demanded an ex.
PLANTATION of his warning. and he ex
planned the device of u. D. d.
And you have been cooped up here
all day" she cried. What shame.
1t was Il perfect day"
"Not for me-" he said mournfuIly.
''That little limb of Satan spoiled it for
me-"
II amt limb of Satan.' denied 5
sleepy voice from the low French win
dow. Il am good boy. only am BAD
sometimes" lie explained as he pat
tered out upon the piazza and climbed
upon Ruth's lap. 81 was bad today"
he added. Il got tar in Mr.. Carmams
boots, and | got spanked tecause he
couldn't come over and ask you to
marry him. Won't you please marry
him, so won't he spanked?" he add.
etl. II was spanked three times to.
day"
Won't you:" asked Carman softly.
81 want you so. dear! When it seemed
that had lost my opportunity l was
nearly crazy 1t was fate that brought
you over. am not u good pleader.
Won't you let D. .. d. plead for me?"
Miss Esnory's eyes grew softly
bright. She. too. had been afraid that
perhaps the word that would mean so
much to them both would never be
spoken.
II am q member of the Children's
Aid society,"" she said. with a low
laugh. Perhaps for the sake of D. p.
d. had better say yes"
In a moment Carman's arms We're
about her. and he knelt beside her
chair Mrs. Dudleys first hint that all
was wcl! was gained as she rounded
the porch from ID. D. DIS sleepy voice.
'Niss me. too" he pleaded. And
Mrs. Dudley smiled and went softly to
the back door lest she disturb them.