The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-07-13

am But it seemed to be the only
way You hung on so we would have
both drowned In four feet Of water II
hadn't. You could have stood on
your feet there If you had tried. It
was very stupid Of you not to. But It
is awful to think that / should have
struck you. You-you Of all per-
sons!'
Me, Of all persons" cried the girl
Of the double negative. why do you
say such thing as that? | don't
know you from Adam"
Because, because" said Hepburn
wildly, Il love you. love you!
have loved you ever since saw your
picture last night, but It seems to me
now as if had always loved you"
The girl arose from the grass with
an expression Of profound disgust
upon her features. Wen. of all in
comprehensive things!" she ex
claimed. You are certainly the most
impudent man / ever saw. How dare
you say such thing to me? What do
you mean2"
Il mean" said Hepburn desperate
ly, that l don't care what things you
say to me now, il only some time you
will marry me-"
The girl OF the double negative
spoke never word, but with tight
shut lips gathered her skirts in both
hands and began to walk rapidly
away.
For over a week he saw nothing of
Miss Darlington. That young lady re-
NAMED in her room nursing nose.
formerly of classic proportions, and
an eye which resembled boiled
gooseberry, sunk deep in the brilliant
and varied hues of summer sunset.
Her indisposition did not. however,
prevent her from inspecting that hor
rid man" from behind her curtains,
and secretly commenting upon the
facts that he was certainly very good
looking, and that he took sly peeps at
her window as he passed.
If she had expected repetition OF
Mr. Hepburn's former frenzied con
duct when she again appeared in the
corridors of the hotel she was disap
pointed At first he seemed not TO
even see her. Then after they were
introduced by mutual friend, he
treated her with the grave courtesy
which a happy instinct told him would
be most pleasing to a young lady with
high regard for the conyentionali-
ties Of polite society.
1t was only towards the close Of the
season, and when preparations were
being made by her family to return rO
the city that piqued by his indiffer-
ence, she began to unbend little.
They met often, then oftener, then
walked together They discovered
that they had many points Of interest
In common, although photography was
not one of them.
One warm September evening they
walked upon the almost deserted pi-
azza Of the hotel in the moonlight, and
it seemed to Hepburn that the hour
was ripe at last. Ardently. but this
time with dignity and decorum, he
told her again of his love Memories
of that other proposal must, however.
have returned to the lady's mind. for
sne drew herself up haughtily and
said:
Il am surprised and sorry, Mr.. Hep
burn, that you should so have misun-
derstood my sentiments toward you.
/ esteem and respect you. but l do
not love you. cannot marry you, but
| will be a sist-" Miss Darlington
paused and blushed 1t was-the regu-
lation formula which she had rendered
to more than one callow youth, but it
was too obvious chestnut to offer to
man of Mr.. Hepburn's character
and experience To her utter amaze
ment, he seemed to entertain no sen.
sation of chagrin or disappointment.
Instead, he drew her only half-resist
ing form into his arms, and for the
second time in their short acquaint.
ance pressed kiss upon her brow.
Again she intimated angrily. as she
had once before done: You are Ger
tainIy the most presumptuous man
ever heard Of! Don't you understand
me? | said nol"
Hepburns face beamed with Joy
and satisfaction. MY sweetest girl"
he said. gayly, repeating the oscula.
ton. Il hear you. But don't you re.
member that you learned long ago
when you were in school that a double
negative is always equal to an affirm.
ative? This is the second time you've
turned me down. What other con.
clusion can I draw"
That evening, when the happy mar
was again alone in his roem, he found
in close proximity to the fateful piece
of glass a letter placed there by the
bell-boy. and bearing special deliv
cry stamp. 1t read as follows.
Dear Hepburn-Did you take away
with the rest Of the stun you bought
OF me last summer an opened box OF
4x5 dry plates? II so, for heavens
sake. return them at once | hone
you haven't monkeyed with ana
spoiled them. They were left here
by a young fellow-Billy Carrington-
to be developed. and he is rending the