Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-10-09
A CALIFORNIA IDYLL.

! think it must have been the very
unconventionality OF our introduction
that made our acquaintance a plant of
such rapid growth
Good morningi' / said cheerfuIly,
climbed on the raft. and sank dripping
on the seat
She looked up at me with little wet
smile.
Good morning!' she said still cling.
ing TO the ladder, although | haven't
the faintest idea who YOU are"
Docs it matter?" | queried earnestly.
Would YOU wish me bad morning
simply because you don't know who i
am? Why don't you climb up and sun
yourself on the anxious seat 2 1t sways
perilously, but it's wonderfully resting .
She blushed. Cad, what glorious
blush it was!
Are you u married man?" She queried
irfelevantly, and for the first time
noticed that her lips were tinged with a
faint blue, and the hands holding the
ladder We're unnaturally white.
You're simply perishing!o / remon-
strated sternly Come out at once!o
Are you easily shocked? | didn't
put on my stockingsl" She explained
breathlessIy, as | helped her up the
adder on to the raft, where she sank on
TO the seat at my side.
Awful thought" said I. ''And now.
II you'll kindly give me your hands one
al time, III try and rub little life
back into them
"You see" she explained, her voice
coming in little Jerks with the vigor Of
my rubbing. Il didn't wear stockings
because | had always looked upon this
as my cove"
Quite natural quite" | admitted
airily.
You see, my father owns the lands.
and | own the raft"
How awfully meet" ! added enthu-
sastically
so that strangers are really tres
passing"
"of course | agreed. Poor
strangers -
Her lips pouted family.
oh, they don't need to be pitied
There are lots of good coves further up
the beach, and there's a plunge kept at
a temperature of 20 in Santa Barbara
If they only care to 90 there
1t took three morning Swims to estab
lish the fact that | was not 4 stranger.
but the time was well spent.
The next obstacle was a trifle more
difficult of approach. She sat in the
hot sand, two brown arms clasned
round her knees, gazing far out to sea,
her little olive brown face puckered
about the eyes with the glare from the
water. / sprawled at her feet, feasting
on her
But I'm not sure lists proper. .
she suggested, with puzzled frown-
Just you and me in bathing suits in
my cove
AS well complain at finding ourselves
with wings in paradise | suggested.
Besides, it makes all the difference,
you being you and | being -
You're wonderfully comforting she
admitted; but, after all, | suppose it's
all right. I'm engaged, you know"
What an extraordinary thing!'' | ex-
claimed vigorously. so am r."
Whether it was the strong light from
the water or whether At any rate,
she allowed her attention IL wander
from the sea and fix itself on handful
of sand as it trickled through her fin
gers.
But don't think Ralph would
mind" she added iudicially.
And I'm certain Kate would have no
objection" | agreed.
Her eyes glanced up into mine. with
Just suspicion of twinkle in their
depths
What's she likey" She demanded alb
ruptly
| pondered the matter. closed my eyes
and lay back on the sand.
Il see" | droned oracularlv-'I see
her hair. 1t is even as seaweed stray
CLING over u rounded rock and caught
IN tangled knot at its base. Her eyes
protnde-yea. like those of the toad do
they start from her head until speeta-
eles bring them to a standstill Her
nose and forehead shine with intelli-
gence and indigestion.
You're beastl" said the girl vicious.
". Even if you have thrown her over
YOU needn't"
But | haven't" | protested.
The girls eyebrows met at an acute
angle
YOU'RE surely not going going on
with it If YOU think that of her"
Necessity knows no law" | defend
ed, My worthy father considers it adj.
vantageous have the property, she
has The money. | shall be the martyr
OF the family My eiiigy win adorn the
stained glass window in the east wing.''
The girl dug her hand vigorously into
the sand, which slowly pressed the gold
bangle further and further up her arm.
II think you're a beast!" she reiter-
ated, with added conviction And I'm
very. very sorry for--for Kate She de-
serves the stained glass window"
How about poor little me?" ! sug-
gested humbly.
The curl OF her lip was good to see
It's my turn" | announced abruptly
What's Ralph likes''
ITS four years since I've seen him, =,
she said slowly.
I'm! And you're now-25 shall we
sayy"
The eyes flashed sudden Indignation.
Twenty -iive-vou don't really think
that? rni nineteen. truly
| studied her critically for few mo
ments.