The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-10-29

with the air of one who has succeeded
| in dispelling nightmare.
You are the first woman I have ever
met who is not born actress"
She sat motionless on the raft for a
| few seconds, and then she regarded me
| uncertainty.
what do you know?" she demanded
quickly.
81 know that Ralph's advent is no
more welcome to you than Hates is to
me-"
Il, at least, did my BEST" she defend
ed. Il didn't say his hair was like sea
weed, his neck. [ feel as though ]
were tied to ghost" she added YEARLY
$50 do l." l agreed "a goblin for
mine. The extraordinary part of it is
they're both coming on the same day"
You don't mean Hates coming, too,
tomorrow p
Tomorrow" I repeated respondent
ly. Il can't help thinking they're com
ing on the same boat. Our fates are
linked you see.''
Suddenly [ became aware that Eden
was invaded. Toward us, along the
beach, evidently vastly interested in
each other, came two sombre figures As
they approached, [ discerned a tall,
gawky youth and--Kate!
When [ looked round in Mortified sus-
pense, the girl was lying with her chin
i'll her hands, kicking sand onto her
back
Here comes Kate!' I Kissed.
She wriggled over like an eel, sat up
with an abruptness that nearly toppled
me over backwards, and peeped round
my shoulder.
"And the man is Ralph" she gasped
family.
My hand sought hers, and there we
petrifed.
Recognition came to them three yards
from us, and they were evidently as en-
barrassed as we. I don't know what
the youth said to the girl before the in
PRODUCTION, but | remember distinctly
what Kate said to me.
She paused impressively-it always
had been beyond her to be natural-and
extended a limp, white hand with grave
compassion.
Il don't know what you'll think of me-
l hoped to see you alone before-be
fore [ told you; but, after all, explana-
lions are superfuous. One can but fol-
low the promptings of the heart, and
can only hope that you will under
stand and forgive. Ralph-er-Mr
Beatty and [ are engaged to be mar
ried!''
I'm a trife uncertain as to what I
did. At any rate, when l had done it
and looked round, L saw the girl vigor-
ously shaking the youths hand.
"Aw, yes, thanks! I'm lucky beg
CARL" came his raucous voice. "We came
ON the same boat-got in day ahead
of time. Cad, but this is a great spot!
Why, Vera this is where we made GOO
goo eyes at each other in the old days!
Funny how the world wags on, amt it !?
Haw, haw!"
A pause ensued, during which we all
looked extremely foolish, except Kate.
The youth broke the spell. His glance
sought Hates appealingly.
''Well, I think we'd better be NOV
ing,' he announced, with nervous
smirk. "See you at the cottage-haw,
haw!"
Mother will be so pleased to see
you," added Kate, ovef ner shoulder,
and they drifted on arm in arm.
[ managed to hold myself in until
the figures were hidden by bend of
the cliff, then I turned; but the girl had
vanished The next instant l caught
sight of blue bathing dress and white
trimmings splashing through the surf.
I caught her just as she clambered on
to the raft, and together we sat on that
thrice blessed anxious seat-anxious no
longer, though the raft rose and fell on
the bosom of a drowsy SWELL
Blue the sky, blue the water, blue the
bathing dress beside me; golden the
sand, golden the sunlight, golden the
hair that escaped from the oil-skin cap
all the world was blue and gold
''But, boy, 1 don't even know your
name,' she protested weakly.
Does it matter?" said l. you're
you and | am l."
She raised her head from it's resting
place with aiquaint air of gravity.
"Well, girl usually likes to know
her future name, doesn't she ?"-Ralph
Stock in Black and White.