Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-05-27

But are you sure?" tShe was yield
ingD Il don't like to-"
He shook his head, careful to re-
strain the twitching corners of his
lips.
1T will take but a moment" he
urged. gravely And I'll be quite
careful"
well" She perceived that, if not
right, he was stubborn and with a fl
nal small gesture of depreciation,
weakly surrendered. I'm sorry to be
such nuisance" she murmured, ris-
ing and gathering skirts about her.
Maitland stOutly denied the hideous
insinuation. Il am only too glad
She balanced herself lightly upon
the step. He moved nearer and as
sured himself of firm fOOthOld on the
pebbly river bed. She sank gracefully
into his arms, proving a considerable
burden-weightier, in fact, than he
had anticipated. He was somewhat
staggered; it seemed that he embraced
countless yards of ruffles and things
ballasted with lat a shrewd guess
lead He swayed
Then. recovering his equilibrium, he
incautiously glanced into her eyes. And
lost it again, completely.
II was mistaken" he told himself;
daylight will but enhance"
She held herself considerably still,
perhaps wondering why he made no
move. Perhaps otherwise; there is
reason TO believe that she may have
suspected-being a woman.
At length: rs there anything
can do" she inquired. meekly, ito
make it easier for YOU"
I'm afraid" he replied, attitude
apologize, "that-I must ask you to put
your arm around my ne-my shout
ders. It would be more natural"
oh"
The monosyllabIe was heavy with
meaning-with any one Of a dozen
meanings, in truth. Maitland debated
the most obvious. Did she conceive
he had insinuated that il was his habit
to ferry armfuls of attractive feminini-
ty over rocky fords by the light of a
midnight moon?
No matter While he thought it
out. she was conserving. Presently a
| neck. Having awaited only that, he
began to wade cautiously shOrewards
! the distance lessened perceptibly, but
he contemplated the decreasing inter.
val without joy, for all that she was
of an app 1ciable weight. For all bur
dens there are compensations.
Unconsciously, inevitably, her head
sank toward his shoulder; he was
aware of her breath, fragrant and
warm, upon his cheek. He
stopped abruptly, cold chills running
up and down his back; he gritted his
teeth; he shuddered perceptibly.
What is the natter" she de
manded, deeply concerned, but a
pains not to stir.
Maitland made strange noise will
his tongue behind clenched teeth
"Urrrrgh,' he said distinctly.
She lifted her head, startled: relic
followed, intense and instantaneous.
I'm sorry" he muttered, humbly
face aaame, shut you tickled.
'Tm-so-sdrEya she gasped vic
lently agitated. And laughed a low
almost a silent, little laugh, as will
deft fingers she tucked away the Ell
rant lock of hair.
{ "Ass," Maitland told himself, fierce
, ly. striding forward.
, In another moment they were on dr.
land. The girl slipped from his arm
] and faced him. eyes dancing, cheek
crimson, lips tense, quivering. scar
, let line. He met this with ruefu
smile
, "But-thank you-but," she gaspet
explosively. lit was so funny"
; Wounded dignity melted before he
j laughter For time, there in tn
moonlight. under the scornful regar
/ of the disabled motor cars twin heat
: lights. these two rocked and shrieke'