Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-31

ly lovingly down the stick. The Chsperon
thought he had decided to give up.
"Pve quit fishing he replied
She stared at him with the tiny fckering smile
about the altogether charming mouth
II believe it is honestly this tine," she said
Poor old Bob''
He sat down suddenly and enthusiastically kiss
ed her hand. At last believed in him.
"Oh, now, really!' voice cooed from
where behind the hedge.
Mr. Pierce and the Chaperon looked quickly
at each other. A distinct gggle sounded. Mr..
Pierce grnned sheepishy and the Chaperon dove
head first into her handkerchief.
Somebody's husband could kick up row If he
wanted to-" the voice went
The Chaperon's shoulders shook visibly.
"Polly!" Mr. Pierce called softly.
No answer.
Pretty Poy!" he called again in the tone that
would have moved the sphinx "Will you marry
me?"
"Of not"
"Id go around the world on my knees for you!"
The giggle merged into repressed chuckle.
Polly If should fling myself in the ocean
you'd be sorry!"
"oh, splash" came the answer.
The Chaperon emerged from the handkerchief.
"If I'm in tho way-?" she suggested
The chucke ended in svery peal of laughter
which-strangely enough-was accompanied by
deep pass. The Cnaperon arose, SnOOk out ner
lacy skirts, adjusted her parasol at fetching
gle and smiled sweety at the hedge.
"If my husband will kindly give his ARM
she suggested in honeyed tones, I'VE will leave you
two to adjust your little misunderstanding"
Mr.. Pierce hicked at the pansies as he watched
the couple saunter OF down the path
Polly, love you!' he whispered softly.
But the voice behind the hedge remained per-
fectly silent.
sss
collapsed khaki ngure surmounted by big
Hopping hat with red scarf it the only
thing visible along the stretch of sandy beach,
Half a dozen anchored boats of varying sizes
bobbed at little distance upon the water, and
casionally tiny speck appeared upon the horizon,
that coming nearer would develop into saiboat,
skimming frantcay but purposelessly toward the
southwest Sometimes it would be northeast. but
then the movement was sluggish and the boatnev--
er came toward the beach
On the sand was book and a pair of marine
glasses that had been in constant use the greater
part of the afternoon. Underneath tine hat was
unrepressed longing, some evaporation and great
deal of uneasiness. The wind tore at the hat, the
curs, and sent nervous shivers over the khaki
figure Finally Polly picked up the book and
glasses and dug briskly through the sand and up
a fight of steps to the rocky pathway above. Her
heart was in her mouth she crossed the grassy
stretch to the house.
The Chaperon was playing bridge.
where's Bob?'' she questioned casually.
"Oh, sailing" Polly replied. She tried to make
the tone frivolous, but the voice shook bit.
Its great day for sailing" remarked the
Chaperon, with an Indifferent glance outside.
Polly sneaked into the hall and sat down upon
a settes, where she deliberately put herself into
a temper, got just az angry she possibly could
for bothering over something that wasn't of the
least consequence At last she went boldly up to
her room, shook down her curls and began to get
into linen gown. A panic seized her. She
climbed back into the khaki, bundled up her curis
under the big hat and started for the beach. The
sound of the waves breaking upon the rocks gave
her a tight little feeling in her throat.
She ran into Mr.. Pierce at a turn in the path
way.
How dare you frighten so?" she demanded
coldly.
He looked at her in establishment
whats the matter?'' he inquired.
"Oh nothing" she returned, with her chin in
the cir, Except that you've been out four hours
on this horribly windy Gay and have scared every
body to DEATH.
Everybody" he asked, looking about for the
uneasy ones Then great light dawned upon
him. "Polly" he breathed Dear Polly!"
She gave him a look that suggested twenty de-
grees below zero, turned and started up the path.
"I wonder---'' he began.
She deigned to turn and look at him. He held
out his hand and in the upturned palm was a ring
set with a ruby encrcled with diamonds.
Another one?'' she inquired with uplifted
brows
He shook his head and smiled.
"I thought you threw that away?"
He shook his head again.
won't you--?" he coaxed.
.oh, give it here she said suddenly. She
thust out her hand 1t touched his. wholly alive
and highly charged took the ring. stuck 1t on her
fnger-the proper hnger-and walked away.
'Oh say!' he exclaimed. Haven't you forgot
ten somethng?"
The hat brim shook violently. He started af-
ter her and she went faster. She cut across the
grass running. He gaining although she
could run She made for side entrance, ran up
a few stairs and slammed the door with little
click following that suggested key being turned.
Mr. Pierce pauCed the landing, then sat
down and famed himself vigorously with his hat
They we're engaged!