The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-08-29

TOM interrupted an interested, eager
little voice from the other side of the
dune. Hes coming over to our house
for dinner Why don't you tell him
right nOw?'
Bob withdrew his arm hurriedly
from its resting place. and Gwen
pinned up some stray tumbled locks
with fingers that trembled even while
she laughed at the picture below them.
Standing in the pool OF water left By
the tide in the rocks below was Teddy
Ainslee. His short duck pants.were
rolled high about his bare tanned legs.
and his face was intensely serious as
he balanced lin pail and to" rake in
his hands and stared up at the two fig
ures on the sand dune
What are you doing, TeIT' asked
Bob impersoaally. Digging fer
clamsf'
Nope; crabs returned Ted lacon-
ically. Got five. Two's most DEAD.
though. Why don't you tell him right
now? He's over there with mamma.
over behind the clubhouse. They're
sitting on the rocks, talking about our
coming 70 live in his house Say, I'm
going to have room all to myself, he
says, and pony, and a real boat. may
be. Aren't YOU glad I'm coming to live
with you. Gwen?"
Gwendolin's hand closed over the
strong one that reached for it, with a
warm, close grip. For a moment her
eyes met Bob's, swift, questioning,
amazed, laughing, all in one quick
sweeping glance of understanding.
Bob started to laugh aloud, but she
checked him and bent toward the lit
tie figure standing in the water below.
Indeed, l am glad Teddy" she said
very gently, very automatically, but
| didn't know about it, When are you
coming, delr?"
Teddy's gaze wandered musingly
over the stretch of shore to where the
clubhouse made a splash of green and
white on the landscape. From where
he stood he could see a white parasol.
and down behind the chiffon ruffies on
that parasol sat Mr. Rutherford and
his mother
Just as soon as he's my papa" he
told the two above him calmly. Il
like him real well. He asked me If he
could have mamma, and | told him l
didn't mind. He used to know mann
ma long time ago, and he liked her
then, but she liked me best. She don't
any more. though She likes him best,
but don't care. l told him maybe I'd
marry you. Gwen
THAT was awfuIly sweet of you,
Teddy, dear" began Gwendolin.
Just so you wouldn't be lonesome.
you know" Ted assured her, because
| s'pose maybe he used to like you
best. too, and now he won't any more.
cause he told mamma he liked her the
bestest IN the whole world"
God bless you. Teddikins,' muir
INJURED Bob thankfully. I'll buy you
bear for this. six feet tall"
when are you coming 10 live with
US Teddy" asked GwendOlin, her
voice a little unsteady, her face flushed
rosily. The big hand was crushing herr
own So that it hurt
pretty soon" said Ted enc0ura ging-
~. "Thats why they made me come
away now They're talking it over
They're going to hurry up and get
married before you find it out. so it
won't be a sudden shock That's what
Mr.. Rutherford said. ! heard him tell
mamma that they must avoid any sud
den shock to Ovens nerves. SO they're
going to run away and get married.
and then he's going to break it to you"
Bob gave an explosive peal of joy
and rolled over on the sand at Gwen
dolin's feet But Gwendclin sat still
her eyes bright with happiness and
hope ahead. her chin resting on one
palm and her eyes filed with sudden
tears.
Don't you cry, Gwen" called up
Teddy cOurageously. IN love you
and keep YOU from being lonesome"
Gwendolin laughed. a quick. break
ing laugh of tears and happiness com
bined, and held out both hands to Bob
Thanks, Teddy, dear, so much, but
don't think III be very lonesome. At
ter-after poor Uncle Hal has broken
the news to me l think l shall go to
Denver"