Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-11-17

That growl of yours was perhaps In
accordance with your newly acquired
doglike humility, but one couldn't ex-
actly call it yap Of JOY. Couldn't
you force one little ecstatic bark. Bob
bic, n$ child?" she suggested coax
ingly.
81 wonder why on earth like you.
I've never been able to understand"
He pulled the boat up to the sand bank
and held it while she stepped ashore.
"Am sorry I'm SO unaccountably fas-
cinating."
She shook the wrinkles from her
rufIled skirts airily and started to In
vestigate the one deserted hut that
graced the tiny island Of sand and
rushes.
Upon my soul, it's a mystery" He
took their lunch basket from the boat
and followed moodily.
Miss Pennell turned aggrievedly.
"You have spoiled your lovely meta
phor. Dogs have no souls"
"Neither-so some philosopher has
argued-have women" he retorted.
THAT philosopher had probably just
been turned down emphatically by the
lady he wrote about. But cen though
soulless / have an appetite. Would
you mind If we unpacked the basket
and ate right here and now?"
Conway set the basket on the sand
and took out his pipe, while she spread
the napkins. II don't want anything
have no appetite" He puffed his brier-
wood vigorously.
"But, Robert, you must brace the
inner man. Don't you remember you
have an ordeal before you tonight? l
should think it would take some nerve
to propose to Miss Stubbs., She's So
er-alnost fat" apologetically. THAT
one would have to work his imagina-
tion overtime to say to her the things
that the heroine Of romance Is sup
posed to RELISH
"I never did like skinny women"
scathingly.
She hastily swallowed her bit OF
sandwich.
"If you want to call me little or
petite or anything decently polite
her eyes were hashing-"l don't object
to you expressing your opinion. but !
won't listen to anything 50 rude as
skinny" She shook the crumbs
from her lap and walked toward the
waters edge.
"Oh. Robert. the boats united" she
walled.
"Thunder~ said Conway. springing
TO his feet.
They watched it hc!plessly as It
drifteI 'rhe girl at last sat down de-
iecteGly.
I'll not get back In time to dress
for the dance"
You'll be lucky II any one comes by
in time to take us back tonight ut al"
he said forebodincly.
"In all my twenty-five years I've
never met with such vexatlon." She
dCs the sand into holes with the heel
Of her small tan shoe.
You at least have some cause for
gratitude. It's not everybody that
achieves such q ripe old age by calm.
ly peaceful paths"
Little Miss Pennell eyed him miser-
ably. But It will soon be getting
dark. Robert. aud am afraid out here
all alone"
"Seems that should count for some
thing In the way Of company" with
slishtly more amiability.
"Oh, you" she returned gloOmily.
"But you will be so bad tempered be-
rause OF Miss Stubbs. You were going
to have tete-a-tete with her tonight,
you know"
That's all over now," he sighed.
"Over? Can't you ask her tomor-
row?"
He threw pebble far out In the wa
ter and waited to see 1t splash. I'm
going to ask you again." he said slow
ly. land you will have to consider 1t
this time-to keep those old cats at
the hotel from saying things"
She drew quick breath, and her
eyes were mutinous.
"Let them talk. They have to talk
about something. l certainly shall not
let their silly clatter force me into
matrimony."
But, Betty. hate to have them say
things. And I'm not such bad chap
II know you're not" said Miss Pen
nell. fast becoming more excited and
angry, but they can falkland talk! I
intended marrying you oil along, but I
won't be forced into It."