The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-11-09

"Oh, what can / say?" thought Zoe
wildly.
Il was so astonished to see
you," she stammered. 81 just stopped
TOTO make sure you were"
"A man and not faun," he sug.
gested helpfully.
mo-" she contradicted, frowning,
that you we're asleep and not-not
dead. You see. l have never before
seen a man in these wilds, and"
mot even a dead one?" he inter.
rupted, laughing.
mo" She smiled distantly. mot
thought"
81 was here yesterday" he re.
preached her.
HE saw mel" she thought indig.
nantly. HE thinks came down here
today on the chance of meeting him,
the conceited-"
II paddle down here every day."
she informed him coldly.
"Oh. really!" he exclaimed, with
open delight. Its awfully nice Of
you to tell me. I'll be here fishing
every afternoon, and"
Il didn't mean that" she flashed
back furlously.
He looked detected. Pardon me-"
he said, 'T don't suppose you did.
merely meant that-that- Oh, please
don't CO." as she prepared to push
Off. Seizing a fallen branch he dex.
terously hooked It through the long
rope that was tied to the bow Of her
canoe, and drawing It toward him
grasped 1t firmly. 81 simply meant"
he proceeded with calmness, that
was coming here, always, every after.
noon to fish. You don't mind that, do
your he inquired humbly.
81 don't care in the least what you
do" she retorted, with angry disdain.
He gave the rope couple of turns
around his wrist and settled himself
comfortably.
"In that case I shall sit here and
talk to you," he announced.
For answer Zoe pulled herself care.
fully toward the bow and began to
work busily at the knot that secured
her end Of the rope to the little iron
ring in the bow of the canoe.
"Of course, l might offer to help
you," he mused aloud, but under the
circumstances What! You're 60
Ing to give 1t up? Well, that Is more
sensible I'm afraid that knot was
put In to stay"
Zoe moved back to her former po-
sition and rearranged herself on the
cushions, after which she opened her
book and began to read and MUNICH
chocolates.
| He watched her moment.
isn't this idyllic?" he murmured
contentedly.
Zoe helped herself to another choc-
olate and turned page Of the book.
The minutes waned. Half an hour
passed-an hour. The silent and
peaceful companionship worked like
oil on the troubled waters Of Zoes
resentment. An unconscious happi-
ness and contentment stole into her
heart. She risked glance at him.
He was thoroughly nice she de-
cided.
At this moment, as II sensing her
softened mood, he leaned over and
peered into the canoe.
"Greedyi" he murmured. "Only
three left!"
Zoe struggled with herself. then
laughed.
Wont you throw the rope back
now, please?" she begged. ut Is late
and I have some distance to paddle"
He looked contrite. I've been a
BRUTE" he apologized humbly, but ]
Just couldn't help it. I knew II I
once let you go that would be the
end of me-you'd simply disappear
forever. And-and really. you know,
it's lonely about here"
isn't I'll" agreed Zoe. with quick
sympathy.
"And 80 why" he asked eagerly.
Shouldn't we amuse each other a
little? I'm staying with my uncle.
back there, on my way to Southamp-
ton, to visit a friend Of mine.
| and"
Southampton" exclaimed Zoe.
why, that's where I live!"
Really" His face beamed. "Do
you happen to know Mr.. Brentley
and his daughter"
my father!" Zoe gasped, and
myself! You are not--don't tell me-"
she began to laugh helplessly.
'T am Tom Drlscoll." he said sol
emnly. "And you-what are you do
ing" he pulled the canoe nearer
up here? was going-you know
that was going. simply-to meet
you!"
81 ran away" gurgled Zoe. Father
had talked about you so much IL
hated you! Oh. what a joke!"
TITS anything but joke II you hate
me-" objected Mr.. Driscoll gloomily.
Zoe lifted flushed. dimpled face.
well II hadn't seen you then."
she admitted.
He looked into her eyes.
do you think might paddle you
homer he asked