The daily tribune., 1907-07-17

OF old.
Don't you WISH Ned" size said
softly, and then suddenly checked her.
self.
There were many thing that was
wishing, but I said nothing. There
was an ache In my throat that would
have made speech dificult, "Oh.
blind fool" my heart was crying, and
realized that 1t would go on and on
through many weary years.
Suddenly she turned, so as to look
into my face
| Ned" she said slowly; how long
have we known each other7'
Six years, about--since you we're
12. You know as well as l." an
swered.
And we have been good comrades
-pals-Ned," she continued, letting
her brown eyes wander to distant
point. Tell me, then, Ned. what does
the gane'-Bill. and Carter and Ray
mond, and all the rest of tt1m-think
of me?"
They are sore, Man." l told her,
| trying to put into the softest terms
the rage and sorrow of the gang that
the Girl should do this thing. Ray
mond has gone off to the Rockies to
| shoot bear Tom Mason is talking of
going to work, Bill is like funeral
on Monday"
Ned, did you ever hear any of
them say that, that was pretty" she
asked, while a pink flood showed
thrnIlgl ton h. OIL
der throat
Say it? OF course not" exploded
DO you mean to tell me-" | demanded,
that you didn't know that we gave
that chap Forrea thousand dollars
to come from Paris to paint that wa.
| ter color of you. and that each one of
us has miniature copy that cost a
hundred dollars?"
l snapped open my watch case, to
show her her own laughing face and
wind-blown curls.
Silly boys!" she said and the pink
in her cheeks deepened to crimson.
why are they sore, Ned? Are
you?" she asked.
looked searchingly into her brown
eyes. but found only the frankness /
knew 50 well.
thought it would be some one OF the
old crowd Girl" | told her.
sad little smile flickered about
her mouth.
Il was good pal. wasn't |, Ned?"
she said.
The finest in all the world" an.
swered truthfully
And they though me pretty" she
continued slowly; but not one of
them--l am 10, Ned. and no one ever
or even wanted-to kiss mel"
She buried her face in her hands
and sobbed. The little figure seemed
pathetically slight and lonely.
Il was a good comrade, Ned" she
continued softly; but | was girl,
after all. IL wanted some one to
care, Ned"
My heart leaped, and tumultuous
speech crowded upon my tongue. but
with an effort held myself In check,
and gently lifted the brown head so
that | might look into her eyes.
Man." | said. you had the whole
crowd to choose from-you know you
did. and yet you went and let them
engage you to that miserable little
monkey of a count"
He asked me. anyway; none OF the
others ever did" Nan said defiantly.
"They-they-" | stammered stu
pidly. but she interrupted sharply.
They did not-never, not one OF
them. How could | know? Did
you?"
For a moment was dazed, as one
is by sudden glare Of light. Then
my arms were around her.
"Nan-Girl," whispered. and bent
toward the red. trembling lips that did
not seek to avoid me.
A moment later she had wrenched
herself free and sprang to her feet.
"Oh, Ned, please let US go!" she
cried, and hurried to the canoe.
Silently we took our places. 1t was
dark, and far away to the north lights
we're cleaning.
"Glrl,"1 whispered. and she turned
her head YEARLY. Suddenly we heard
the throbbing OF a motor boat away to
the south.
They have missed the canoe and
are out in the launch looking for u.s."
| said. They could never find us
among the Islands. oh. Girl. sweet
heart-it isn't too late-and | love
YOU | plead.
She did not answer. but | saw n
slim, brown hand steal to tho pocket
Of her blouse and something made a
sparkling curve In the air. | leaned
forward to press the little hand that
for moment was stretched back to.
ward me and then withdrawn. With.
out word she picked up her paddle.
and with a deft turn OF the blade set
the prov OF the canoe toward the dis
tant lights OF Cotton.
British Vital Statistics.
Fewer marriages. fewer births and
az. he