The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1907-08-30

lHelT Cradles nowadays, ana the
habit held, even in her mental proc.
esses.
She was sitting on the front porch
with Chad Burnes, and there had al
were peculiar silences, quite out OF
the ordinary. 1t was this that had
set Jane wondering.
"A clear night of stars" she
quoted, looking up at the sky. Didn't
Stevenson know how to say 1t all in a
few words?"
Chad murmured an unresponsive as
sent and went on with the silence.
A man and a woman-young-w
ed by, hand in hand.
HIM Silly" Jane commented.
Guess they're playing hunkydory,"
said Chad, coming to life.
What do you mean?"
You know that game Course you
do"
"Of course l don't"
"I'll teach you, then. First you
have to shake hands with me-
Jane surveyed his outstretched
palm 1t looked clumsy. Still, Chad
was nice boy, even if he didn't have
pretty hands.
its some trick" she said, as she
slipped her white fingers into his.
Now" he exclaimed, tightening
his grasp, the one that lets go first
owes the other a five-pound box of
chocolate. That's playing hunky-
dory."
James fingers instantly wriggled
free. Il never could endure that long
enough to win, anyway" she re-
marked, calmly. I'D rather pay you
the chocolates-as soon as Bert or
Morris brings me some more"
There was a crestfallen look on
Chad's face" but his manner denied
IL.
'Pshaw! You're so COMPOUNDED prac-
teal, fellow couldn't get sentimental
with you, no matter how hard he
tried"
COMPOUNDED practical" she re-
peated. as If TO herself That would
seem to imply that he doesn't like my
style. He needn't stay"
You know mighty well / do like
your style!"
No matter how hard he tried"
Jane quoted again. How funny? Is
that the way they do it? Deliberate
ly try to get sentimental?
Chad muttered something and sulk-
ed through another silence. Again two
persons strolled past, a man and a
woman - young - and the woman's
voice floated up the steps
That's nothing she was protest
ing. Il tell you I've known him three
years"
Long enough, I'm sure" said Jane
Officially.
Chad darted a glance at her out OF
his sulks.
Long enough for what?" he In
CURED
"Oh, most anything"
How long have | know your"
Il don't know. About two years"
It's three and a half"
sudden panic seized Jane, but
Chad never suspected this.
It's not half long enough" she de
clarsd, icily, and he went into silence
again.
Chad's chair was tipped back, lean
ing against the side of the house His
hand was on the window ledge and
&c
studied his face she saw its sulky ex-
preston gradually give place TO one
of blisstul dreaming Slowly, as if
by accident, his hand slipped down
from the window ledge and rested
against her arm.
For a minute neither of them stir
red. AS far as Jane could discover
Chad was totally unconscious Of the
fact that he was balancing himself
by a soft white arm instead Of a cold
gray ledge. Yet something told her
that he was conscious-acutely con
scious. Again that awful panic seized
her. 1t had come-the thing she had
dreamed and wondered about, and, to
her surprise, she did not like it.
While she was hesitating, inspira-
ton came. Noting the fact that
Chad's eyes were still on the stars.
she slipped her right hand under the
arm that he was engaging. And
picked from the window ledge a fat
June bug. which she deftly placed on
the back of Chad's hand.
UGH" he grunted His chair came
down on four legs with a thump, as
he shook off the surprised bug.
Jane laughed in pure delight.
You're the worst" Chad began.