Evening star., 1909-06-22
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.

L
IT mean she explained. you're going
to take a nice long vacation in August or
September and coming UP to the Antiers.
talked il over with Jack Hawarden ana
it's all arranged. There won't be room
for YOU in the cottage. but you can get
tent or a lodge within stones throw of
it, ard we'll have the gloriousest time
Won ever dreamed of Isn't that splendid?
Say il isl
But. Dey." he objected. You don't un-
derstand. I never took vacation in my
life ! amt got time TO. This Is soin TO
be the busiest summer yet, for me- I've a
dozen irons in the fire. I'd like awful
well 10 come an see you there. but
i've settled it ALL" she replied calmly.
"And you're coming. 1t will only be two
ueeks-if YOU can't get away for longer.
Rut You're coming for those two weeks
II can't Dey. I've got
Vow. | suppose you expect me to be
lowly squidge, and sigh ana say On aers
wen.-" she retorted. But I'm not going
to do anything of the sort. Listen !:
You've never had a vacation Ihen II
time YOU took one. I'd be ashamed 10 De
so inexperienced. II | We're you: iou y, We
got a lot of irons in the fire. very well.
then: YOU have two whole months to get
enough of them out to let you take
fortnights rest. You've never gone any
where
with me for an afternoon or an evening
when half YOUR mind was on that wretch
ed railroad. Think of our being togetner
for two gorgeous outdoor weeks. with
there are And In the Adirondacks. too.
Caleb
".Td-rd love to. Dey. If"
$50 then it's all arranged. she cried
happily: oa :, can't
Now. I shall have to discipline YOU,
she sighed II see that. | was afraid q
have to- Look me in the eyes! NOW.
say after me: I promise to come to the
Antlers for a fortnight this summer
Say IT.
'sI-why Dey. ="
she broke in. sternly. Say II now.
Slowly L promise to- Say 1t.
~ nromise to he repeated in resgna-
tion. ,,
..Come to the Antlers for a fortnight
this summer. Say it,
Come to the Antlers for fort,
night this summer" he groaned: Lord.
Whatll my work do while L
"Now see how nice you are, eAul.eu ,et
Desiree You're being good at last,
DON'T you feel happier now you've stopped
being bad and obstinate? Say So.
Does 1t make you happier? ne
evaded
paving truth its strict due. "of course l
knew you were coming anyhow. Now
let's talk about II.
But say." he protested. 5 pose you
an YOUR aunt run down to Coney Island
or Atlantic City after you leave the Adj
rondacks; an let me come down 1nere
instead? There's lots of fun to be had
at those places. But what can l do up IN
the woods: Just measly trees an sky an
water; an not evSn a loop the loop or
music hall ! spose. Gee. It's too slow
for my taste
Then it is my mission to improve your
taste" she insisted. frowning down his
amendment as unworthy of note. Don't
YOU want to like the things like?
Yes" he answered obediently.
and when you know 1t will give me
twice as much fun If you're there with
me you'1l want to come to the Adlron-
darks. won't youo
IF it'd make any sort OF hit Win
YOU. Dey." he answered in full honesty.
I'D spend those two weeks in con-
tagious ward. An YOU know 1t. But
what in thunder is there to do up in the
Wilderness"
We can go on camping trips, for one
thing" she said eagerly, "and cook our
own meals out in the forest and SIT
around camp fires and
IT did all those things when was
vorkin' the section gang eighteen
years ago. interpolated Caleb. An got
s1.s5 day for doin' Il. II didn't get
much enthoosiasm out Of me then. Maybe
it's better fun. though. when YOU have to
pay hotel rates for the privilege. Any
more aloorments?"
"A great many" she said coldly But
shall punish you by not telling YOU any
Of them. You haven't seen Miss Standfsh
since the day We went TO the Arareek
Club"
No" lie answered too accustomed to
her quick changes of theme to see any
thing significant in he careless question.
But l hope to see quite "a lot OF her this
summer. She's stayin' late in town. An
it'll be lonesome for me after you're gone.
! guess she an I'll get better acquainted
before fall
You still have that-plan-you spoke
off, she answered, speaking low and hur-
riedly.
Sure ne answered II don't let go
OF plans. once I've took the trouble TO
make EN-. I'll let you know how I come
out But there amt much doubt"
He checked himself, remembering all at
+ once how a similar yaunt had been re-
ceived by Desiree a few weeks earlier.
But now. to his covert glance of appre-
hension. the girls delicate fSce showed no
sign of resentment. He noticed. however,
for the first time, that her aspect had but
a shade of its usual fresh buoyancy; that
the soft rounded cheek was paler than
was its wont.
You're lookin' all run down. Dey.' he
cried in quick concern. This hot
weather's hurtin YOU. It's high time you
went away to"
Yes she interrupted YEARLY It's
time I went away.