New Ulm review., 1908-06-10


kerchief hastily around her wounded
finger and thrust the offending boot
beneath her skirt.
well, here l am again. sang cut
Lyndon. Been lonely?'
Haven't had a chance laughed
Ella. Everybody that's passed felt
called upon to sit down and keep ne
company
81 don't wonder was Lyndoa's
frankly admiring comment.
mot one of them" announced Ella
condemningy, had the sense to see
that wanted to be - myself-to rest
You are either exc iAk.tionalIy percep-
tive, Mr.. West, or exceptionally cal
lous.''
West. who had thrown himself wea-
rily down on the grass, looked up in
time to catch the mischief in Elias
sparkling eyes
Il am exceptionally perceptive," he
affirmed laughingly. Il knew you
didn't want me to stay"
'sBut you are quite sure | am glad
you are back?'' she teased.
Whatever Lyndon had in mind to re-
ply was not spoken.
Jump he shouted excitedly. "a
balls comingr'
Ella grasped his hand and sprang up
by her skirt. Then, still holding Lyn-
don's hand, she hoped on one foot to
a nearby stump.
'.It struck you,' gasped Lyndon
You are hurt. Where?'
Ella, convulsed, raised her handker-
chief to her face.
sIt is your hand-it is bleeding" he
exclaimed. "Let me see it! thought
it was your foot"
At this dramatic moment Stearns ap-
peared .vith a glass of water.
''Tm sorry I was so long, Miss Mar
den," he began apologetically.
West snatched the glass from him.
''You Were miraculously quick he
said gratefully. Here, Miss Marden, :
he began, ''drink this"
But Ella who was apparently sob
bing, could not be induced to lift her
face from her handkerchief.
"Just leave her to me, Stearns,' .
urged West "She'll be all right in a
few minutes. And thanks ever so
much, old man"
Stearns, utterly fabbergasted, but
we'll aware that he was quite de trop.
walked slowly off.
Hot upon the heels of his involun-
tary retreat Brayton loomed into view.
'Here's the ball, Miss Marden," he
called victoriously.
'Who cares about the ball?' snapped
Lyndon. go find the one who sent it
if you want to make yourself usefulv'
"Well, what's the matter with you"
demanded the angered Brayton-
At this climax Ella lifted her face.
weeping Lyndon West was bit in
doubt.
sThank you, Mr.. Brayton," she said
humbly. ut was awfully good of you
to hunt it for me. Now please go on
with your own game or you won't be
able to finish before dark
Brayton, though mystified, took his
congo like tlOrOuSnDfeQ.
For a few eloquently silent seconds
Ella and Lyndon looked at each other
Lyndon with the air of man who
has been the victim of a practical joke
and Ella with an expression half mis-
chievous, half embarrassed
''Perhaps you can EXPLAIN suggest
ed Lyndon at length.
"Um. hum. | can" Ella assented
"Do you mind going back to where we
were sitting? | think l left something
there'
Lyndon went on the errand. He soon
returned. carrying Elias tan boot
dangling by it's lacings.
eff the beautiful Cinder- Ella will per-
NIT" he begged, kneeling before her
''It isn't cinder at ALL" shifted Ella
scornfully "It's nail
While Lyndon, with the aid Of a
stone or two, pounded down the refrac-
tory nail Ella made clear to him the
sequence and denouement Of the after
noon's events.
The boot finished, Lyndon agaiH
begged the privilege Of putting it on
the lady's dainty foot.
The lacing process was executed
with great precision, but when it came
to tying the knot Lyndon hesitated.
'SShall it be true lovers knot. dear,
est?'' he asked, looking up at her with
grave affection.
Ella laughed. She couldn't help it
Lyndon was so serious and she was sc
happy.
'Is that the same as beau knot?"
she asked him archly.
And somehow, both helping. the knot
was tied
Good Proof.