The Washington herald., 1908-06-25

you are incorrigible. Stella" with con.
tracted eyebrows said Osbeft Loring.
DO you think SOP naively returned
Miss Walbridge. lifting her soft blue eyes
innocently to her companion.
Most decidedly I do" energetically
responded the young man. driving a peb-
bic viciously out Of his way
why am incorrigible?" pretended to
inquire the other. with an adorable shake
Of her fine head.
'As If you didn't know" cried Osbert
Indignantly. He stared at the long
stretch Of country road without seeing
anything. Here have I proposed TO
you," he went on mournfuly, 'let me
see. six times"
only six. Osbert?" interrupted the 9th
er with a sweet ripple.
There you go againl" ruefully laughed
Loring. Turning his hazel-brown eyes
toward the lady at his side he continued
limploringly: Cant I make you look at
the matter seriously?"
The girl laughed deliclously. Presently:
What is the use. Osbert. in taking
I things seriously?' appealed she TO him,
her small straight nose wrinkling comic
ally Life is so short. you know"
Exactly" agreed the other with en-
thusiasm. Let US get married and en-
Joy itr'
That makes Il seven times" trium-
phantly cried Stella, and clapped her
small hands for very Joy.
Osberts firm. shaven chin was up in
the air
III you will marry me-" said he with
La sigh, IN propose 10 you a hundred
times,
Eight times from Miss Walbridge.
They both laughed. A touring car was
tearing down the road. They made way
for the monster.
Wei, Stella" resumed the young man.
won't you? There IS a minister living
half mile back; he can tie the knot for
US in no time. Shall we turn back?" he
swung his broad shoulders around toward
the village whence they had walked.
No vehemently protested the lady
with an impatient stamp Of her aristo-
cratic foot. "Of course not"
Very well, then" resignedly sighed
the other. Well" continued he lightly.
as the two walked briskly on. IF you
don't wish TO marry me. YOU needn't.
There are plenty others"
Yes" agreed Hiss Walbridge There
is Helen Swanson. for instance" An
amused smile played around her small
mouth. "A bean-pole," disdainfulIy came
from the other.
"Lottie Johnson. then" suggested
Stella. her eyes merry.
An eel"' contemptuously objected
Lorine.
You are hard 10 please!' protested the
lady with mock seriousness. How will
Mamie Gridley do?" The lower part OF
her face was hidden behind a lace hand
kerchief, while her laughing eyes watch
ed the contortions on the young mans
frank. handsome face.
do you think / want 10 marry a noun
tain?" cried Osbert Then, with a laugh.
4 am going TO marry a finer girl than
you think"
''Who?7 with assumed indifference.
Queried Miss Walbridge though a jeal-
Gus pain was nibbling at her heart.
Never mind easily responded the
young man. wait until you get our
cards"'
Then your proposal to me was merely |
a bluff?' angrily flashed the maid. Real |
iz;ng, however, how much her outburst
committed her. she relapsed into indif- |
ference. "Oh. I don't care. laughed She /
Marry whom YOU please, and when you
please You can have my blessing"
Lorlng whistled for reply. They walked /
on In silence. separated from fields of I
gold and emerald by barked wire fences. /
A little ahead OF them the hard road /
turned abruptly; a clump Of trees filled /
nc angle and shut out the highway be- /
yOnd. A sharp trOtting was suddenly /
heard. Supposing this TO be a buggy, the 1