Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-27

girls usually took iced tea and salad
sandwiches out on the porch. where
they could lie In the hammocks, a
book In one hand and a sandwich in
| the other, safely screened from prying
| eyes by the wistaria vines. The Sun
day following the putting up OF the
wire the hanmocks were occupied.
| when some one came along the side
walk with a quick, firm tread and de-
liberately walked through the broken
place In the hedge and across the path.
Kit gave a smothered exclamation
and sat up, but before she could speak
there was the sound Of fall at the
! barbed wire guard, and the girls rc"e
with frightened yet half laughing
| faces.
"Hello!" called Kit gently. "Are you
hurtw
There was no response for a minute;
then some one answered I'm a strange
voice:
81 beg your pardon, but would you
mind ringing our bell and calling the
boys? My foot is twisted. and can
not stand up"
An hour later Kit stood guiltily nj
the head of the steps as her mother
and Nell came slowly from the house,
next door
"Wnl be be sick longY'
about a month before he can walk"
said Mrs. Norton. at Is too bad. And
he is a very delightful person to meet:
not at all eccentric. He takes the
blame entirely and says he Is worse
than ths boys and that we were peg
fectly right in putting up the wire"
That's what he said to you, moth
erie, darling" interposed Nell discon-
solately. HE probably thinks that
Kit and I are heatbens."
"Barbarous heathens." Kit smiled
| wickedly.
"This is far from being a joke. KatIi-
erine." said Mrs. Norton. Il am afraid
you must both do penanee by being rs
kind as possible. OF course he Is a.
a.
"Crank?"
"a celebrity" corrected her mother.
eve may find him odd. but after this
misfortune we must do our best to
make him comfortable. I told him you
would take turns in bringing him flow
ers."
"WelI. I won't. motherie." said Fit
fatty. I'm sorry he hurt himself. but
I'm not n bit sorry put up the fence,
and don't want to be forgiven"
In the days that followed they could
see the strong. patient figure sitting
In the shady corner Of the veranda next
door. Nell carried the first propitiatory
bunch of roses over TO. the enemy's
country. She brought back a good re.
port, and after aweek of disinterested
indifference Kit suddenly announced
her intention Of being flower bearer to
his majesty She found him totally
disabled. rather sarcastic majesty.
$50 you're the young woman who
set the trap. are you. Miss Kit? And
you're not bit sorry?'
I'm sorry 1 came over to see you.
Kit stood erect. very naughty, very
sweet and very young. Il only brought
the flowers"
"And you didn't expect to be scold-
edY' She knew he was laughing at
her. please sit down. Don't you
know I've been hoping every day to
have you visit me and beg my par
DOM
II won't do any such thing" She
met his eyes defantly. "You hadn't
the least right TO cross there, only
only I meant it for the boys, OF
course" Her glance fell TO his swath-
ed foot, I'm sorry you were hurt"
THAT Will do very well" He was
laughing openly now. 1T covers the
personal side for me, you See You're
not sorry you hurt me. but you're sor-
~ I'm hurt. Please sit down and talk
to a fellow, won't you?"
Kit hesitated. flushed warmly under
his teasing gaze aud took a seat on
the hickory settee.
Four weeks later Mclean took his
first walk. 1t was slow. tedious one
| from the veranda to the hedge.
81 came halfway for my roses to-
day" he said to the figure In white
beside the rosebushes. May l come
over the hedgeF
Kit did not even turn her head.
Are you angry His voice was
low ,snd eager. After last evening l
was Ffsaid you might not come again.
Kit"
she turned and walked toward him
slowiy, the bunch Of roses held close
to kar face At the hedge she looked
up at him. and the merriment had died
from her eyes
Il was just coming" she said softly.
His hands closed over those that
held the roses
ITO say Yes sweetheart
Look out for the barbed wire, Mr..
Mclean called Nell fr9m the sitting
room window. kit still guards her
forbidden path-