Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-01-08
CHAPTER H.-continued.

He gazed at her with admiration; she
knew this was because he had received
what she said as a first-class joke. 1t
was clear that he had not the slightest
idea that she was in earaesE. He lett
ol laughing, for moment, to pat her
on the back, and say
"Mr Kennedy Galbraith wants to mar
~ you! You are the funniest girl in the
world, Lii What things you think of,
10 be surei"
She did not laugh at all. She looked
hard at him, and said, in a voice that
shook a little, do what she would to
hinder it
'He proposed to me yesterday"
Billy grimaced, trying not to laugh
again.
"You must have misunderstood him,
nv dear!" he remarked, for now it was
evident to him that she meant what she
said. "He couldn't really have done it.
It's out of all reason!"
HE did! He thinks me lovely; he is
not like you, Billy He proposed to me,
and I told him / would think it over In
week he is to have my answer"
Billy fell back on the grass, helpless
from another excess of laughter.
"If you knew how hideous you looked,
how foolish, how ungainly, how-how
horid!" Lii observed, prodding him
uthlessly with her parasol.
He took it from her, and threw it
aside 1t lay, flaming scarlet, on white
tombstone, and Lii Lauriston stood in
The sunshine, her face heated, her eyes
1ilated.
81 don't think you believe me even
now!" she said with whitening sarcasm
II don't want to be rude" Billy said
as he rose, the corners of his mouth
twitching. upon my word, | dortl
wouldn't laugh like this if I could help
It. but it seems funnier than ever when
you declare that you believe it. 1t isn't
part of the joke, is it though? You are
sure of that?"
at certainly is not part of any joke.
There is no joke for it to be part Of"
Then you've got a bee in your bon
net, my DEAR That's the long and short
Of it. You've twisted round something
be said. Girls are awfully vain. They
think every man who is civil is making
love to them. I've heard lots of fellows
say that; but never thought you were
bit like that, Lii. Whatever has come
to your"
Nothing has come to me except an
offer of marriage"
"Great Scott!" calculated Billy. Cant
you see that somehow or other you've
got hold of the wrong end of the stick ?
The thing is impossible!"
''You are hateful, Billy Daryll-hate-
full! How am I to make you believe
me2"
She stamped impatiently with her lit
tie white high-heeled shoe on the long
grass,
'fYCu can't do it," he answered coolly.
ut isn't possible!"
well, this time next week, when he
speaks to me again-when he asks for
his answer-you'll know"
II shall only know what you tell me.
And l tell you again-you have got hold
of the wrong end of the stick, my dear!''
you are a vulgar boy, William
Daryl! And ought not to mind what
you say"
''But you do
II do not like you to disbelieve me-"
There is only one way of convincing
me, Lillian Lauriston."
And, pray, what is that ?"
shall have to see with my own eyes
and hear with my own ears"
There was a long pause. LiPs voice
broke it with determination
"Then you shall see with your OWL
eyes, and hear with your own ears"
She threw her head back, and folded
her arms. The rings of hair lay damp
on her forehead like chiid's. In heI
wide eyes and dimpled cheeks in the
pout of her full, red lips there was
youth-sweet, fresh, innocent youth.
All right" replied William Daryl
smiling; when l have heard and seen
shall believe, but not a moment sooner
l say, Lii, haven't we quarreled more
than enough? Can't we be friends again
now?''
She tried very hard to preserve the
downward droop of her mouth, but found
1t impossible These two young people
had been playfellows from their child.
hood, their warm friendship rather
strengthened than weakened by theil
trliing disagreements.
'Iennis?" asked Billy, noting the dim
pies
mol" replied Lii sternly, for it was
at tennis Billy had lost his temper sc
alsgracefully only the day before.
River, then?'
Why, yes; it will be lovely there!
bliy, my parasol!"
She pointed dramatically to where il
lay, with little gurgling laugh that be
ned her imperious gesture. Then they
joined hands and ran down to the boat
house. Billy hauled the white boat out
and the two jumped in.
What sweet place darlington ISL
said Lii.
1t is good enough Take an oar, Lii, ,
replied Billy, who was not sentimental
that is, if you can row in that gown =
de was still scornful Of her fripperies
She rolled up the delicate, lace trimmed
sleeves as carelessly as though they were
those of rowing jersey. She was be-
ginning to wonder why she had bothered
herself to don garment that had beer
so powerless to render her impressive
which was her design when she assumed
It. They rowed on in silence for a few
moments; then the merry, familiar chat
began. 1t never occurred to Billy to ask
n Z