The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-04-25

quired more knowledge OF the country
than her erstwhils boarding school
teacher would have deemed possible
for Retta's strong point was not learn
ing. She was just sweet little girl
wOmauly and tender, with Il careless
shrinking from responsibility. engeR-
dered by her entire freedom from such
But ROW her heart vas aroused, ana
she was agbast with horror 81 the idea
Of All. her own All. going down Pan
ANA way to endure ali sorts of tor
ments and dangers and finally die of
the dreadful fevers! He should notG
He should not She IyoulG prevent it
somehow, and it must be done at once
for he would be making arrangements
to leave his business, even this minute
perhaps!
She rushed away to consult her
mother, but that good lady. being deep
ly engrossed in some charitable func
ton. was out indefinitely. and Retta,
feeling no time could be wasted. deter
| mined to act for herself Perhaps If
she had had the advice of an older
| head she would have been less pre-
cipitate and irrevocable in her actions
I'm moving clean swath, burn
ing my ships behind me- she COM
mented confussdly, in the middle Of a
tempestuously busy afternoon in which
she did some very unconventional
things.
II suppose it does look curious to
| them; | suppose the bride to be's moth
er is usually to the fore and the b. to b.
hangs back in blushing confusion, but
| can't wait on mamma when Alf's
| getting ready this very minute for
| Panama way. I've got to fix it so
there's no getting out Of it and leave
me rag of-and don't care much if
| they do stare-and I guess I'm sure of
! dear old Alf!'
! Yet she was = ut anxious as she
| waited in Convenient spot for way
| laying him as he left his Office Tiff
Alf were bent and determined on Pan
anna way, she would be in pretty pre-
dicament! Shs whipped around the
corner, apparently oblivious OF him I'M
| til she almost collided with him. Then
her heart sank at his grave and formal
| apology. He had been more deeply
| hurt and offended than he had shown
| the evening before when she had in
sisted on further postponement, but
she must-she caught her breath as he
said cOldly:
Il am glad to meet you. 1t will
save my coming up this evening to tell
you
And I'm glad TO meet you" she
broke in, laughing nervously. Il want
| to tell you that Tve-I've changed my
mind, Alf"
Changed your mind?" he repeated
blankly.
Yes. about-about'' was harder
than she had imagined with his cold,
unreSpOnsive eyes upon her; what if
he should-she quaked, but plunged on
about our wedding-and we won't
! postpone it, after ALL"
He flushed angrily as he replied
| You were not asked to change your
mlnG-Eor the arrangements you made
| last evening"
You mean that you don't want to
that You won't now" she cried, with
! wide eyes
Il mean that you are not to be com
| PEELED, Influenced. When did you see
Charlie! And between his teeth he
muttered savagely. Just wait till |
see him."
| Il haven't seen Charlie to speak to
since yesterday morning. she declared
and burst into n bewiIdering torrent
| of explanation and tears. oh if you
| won't, AT; if you've changed your
mind and don't want me now, when
| I've found out how much | want YOU
| if you won't-Tll have to run away.
| For, oh, All. l went alone and bought
| the dress-and took it to madames and
was meaSured-and I've ordered all the
invitations-and engaged the caterer
and the flowers, adjust as we plan
| ned-because | wanted to show you
how much | care" Sobs that she
struggled to repress choked her.
And you haven't seen Charlie-no
one has Influenced you?" he demanded
| incredulously.
| mo one has said word to me about
| it, II found out how much | really
cared, and | couldn't get ready fast
| enough, though mamma was away,
and | had to do it alone" she painted
| impetuously.
He melted entirely. You dear little
whirlwind! You have smashed the
| proprieties!" he breathed softly and
proudly. Il wish''-he glanced about
furtively; no, it was too public! "Any-
way we can have an hour at the store
selecting our furniture"
| And, tucking her hand under his
arm, they wandered away down the
primrose path" the journey down
Panama way entirely and forever for
gotten.
| Strength In Vegetable Growth.