The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-10-02

/ said smilingly Il hate the round Of
fashionable hotels This has been ideal 20
'Parkvale is a pretty nice place" he
said refiectively 7 don't know when
ever spent a more pleasant summer my
SELF"
You have done very great deal
toward making things pleasant for me. %
/ said Ruby. Il don't know when / ever
saw Dabney so disobHging If 1t had
not been for you I don't know what I
should have done"
we are supposed TO be polite" he
reminded. its in the regulations"
Ruby wondered IL the regulations re-
/ quired him 10 hitch up a fresh rig and
| drive her back 10 the farm after her
purchases were made. as he had done
/ a score of times
From the first she had been attracted
/ 10 the handsome young driveF Of the
rural delivery. He was so unlike the
men she knew In town. She shuddered
/ AT the name Of Peter Perkins. II did not
match his manner or his appearance.
( but she had almost forgotten bis name
/ except when her brother leased her
/ about IT, At first Ruby had simply
utilized her inherent fiirtatious instinct
] but later she had come 10 realize that
| she loved the mail driver, and At times
/ the knowledge frightened her
Peter broke the silence.
You'll be going back home pretty
/ soon now, won't your he asked. Ruby
/ nodded.
We expect 20 leave Saturday Dabney
/ must visit an uncle from whom he has
! expectations. and mother wants me 10
/ come TO her for a few weeks. She is
/ in the mountains"
I'm glad that you're going" he said
abruptly
Glad Ruby turned I'm her seat 70
/ face him. II don't think that you are
very polite" she cried
Il couldn't bear TO think OF your be
/ ing here after ! am gone" he exclaimed
| simply.
You are going?" she asked. Il
| thought you lived here"
Il was only here for the summer" he
| explained. Il must go back home. too.
4 suppose you viii carry pleasant
/ recoleCuons OF this delightful country. %
| she said. Il know that I shall always
] remember this summer most pleas
antIy"
! 7 want 10 take away something else. -
| he said slowly Ruby turned her face
/ away and let her gaze wander over the
/ fragrant, Towering buckwheat. 4
/ want 10 take with me your promise
/ that some day l may come for You" he
went on.
That some day I may come a d
| claim you for my bride May I. dearc''
Gently Ruby drew from his grasp the
| hand he had seized. Her heart cried
I
/ vision the prospects Of her ambitious
/ mother. Mrs. Forbush would never
/ consent to their union, and Mrs. For
! bush could make life very unpleasant
! when she elected.
/ Il am sorry" she said softly, 'but !
! cannot answer you as you want me TO.
| shall always remember most pleas
| antly this happy summer Please do
not ask more Of me"
You do not love me?' he demanded
| bluntly
4 do like you" she said. II cannot
/ say more"
Peter ficked his horse with his whip
and the patient animal logged on He
| spoke no more Of his love and Ruby was
! grateful to him.
! She went about her shopping while
| Peter drove over to the post-ofice TO re-
port. When he returned to meet her It
was with a livery rig
/ 7 cannot use the delivery horses now, %
/ he explained Il am no longer working
/ for the contractor. Shall we go home by
the river road?"
Her eyes made answer. The river road
was the longest and pTettiest and she
would not deny herself the last trip with
the man she loved. Tomorrow he must
pass out Of her life. Tonight she wished
only that she might drive on and on far
into the soft summer night
But Peter kept the horse at trot, and
| presently they were at the farm. He was
a favorite with Mrs Slocum, and she
| insisted that he come IN and take supper
| with them. He fingered in the gloom OF
the trees until the moon was high. but
at last he had to go
Il want 10 say good-by to you here un-
der the trees he said, as ne rose to his
feet. After / have harnessed up. the
/ whole family Will come out. ! am sorry
you could not say yes dear, but l do
not blame you, and / shall always love
YOU and cherish the memory of this sum-
meT-'
He bent ever her and lightly brushed
her forehead with his lips. Then he
strobe off toward the barn and presently
she heard the grating Of the buggy wheels
/ upon the graveled walk. There was the
sound Of voices as he took farewell Of
the group on the back porch, and then
/ the carriage came down the drive and
turned into the road
! For a moment the world seemed to
stand still for Ruby, then she leaped
/ from the hammock and went flying down
[ the dus-y road after the buggy.
Peter, Peter" she called softly. Gene
/ back. It was all a mistake I do love
you, and 7 will marry you, no matter
/ what mother SAYS"
/ In an instant he had sprung from the
] buggy and had her in his arms Dabney
came running up.
/ Il want 10 be the first to congra tulate
you. old man. ne said, as he graspcd
4 Peters hand. Il knew you'd win, even
/ If sis does hate all the men l know"
"All the hen you know" gasped Ruby.
This is Pennington, Pete Pennington. +"
4 he explained. My roommate al col
] lege. He took the job to meet you with
out the disadvantage Of my Endorsement. -
Il would have loved him anyhow" de-
| clared Ruby stOutly- Millionaire or r
/ f. D. clerk. as you like"
Copyright, 1907, By c. IL Sutcline)