The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-07-21
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Around the Bend
By ALICE CAMERON

lightly over Ralph. and eggs covered
his shoes with a yellow coating. AS
he noted each new phase of the ca
tastrophe he burst into another roar
of laughter. His companion sat IN the
road and regarded him stonily. Final
ly, Ralph saw that her face was grow
ing very pale. and at the idea that she
might really be hurt, his laughter SUBJ
sided. He gently tried to help her up.
She struck at him awkwardly, her eyes
flashing, but said nothing Ralph was
really alarmed for by this time her
face was very white. Are you hurt,
madam" he asked. anxiously. No an
swer. He began to talk, hoping that
she would break her angry silence.
Il hope you will forgive ne for
laughing. You see thought you were
-er, some one else. And was so sur
prised l could not help laughing. Tell
me whether you are hurt. Let me
help you" His face looked so hand
some and so appealing that the stony
expression of the woman softened a
trifle.
We'll, the least you can do is to
help me home" she said. gruffiy I'm
all shook up" She evidently blamed
him for her fall. He raised her, and
she leaned on him, granting and
groaning.
They walked on. She said nothing.
Finally he began to be unpleasantly
aware of her weight His arm
seemed almost paralyzed and
drops of Precipitation came out
on his forehead. He stood
still a moment in the road. Would
you mind changing to the other side?
| could support you with my right
arm. This one is getting = little
tired" The long lips set into a grim
line. Can't responded the woman
My other arms hurt too bad" He
wondered vaguely how her arm could
possibly be hurt. but said nothing. The
woman urged him on. it seemed to
Ralph interminably.
She did not speak except to urge
him to walk faster Finally, they
made one last turn and came within
sight of small gray house set well
back from the road in a garden of
roses Red ramblers climbed over
fence and porch.
AS the two drew near. young girl
arose from the steps and hurried to.
ward the gate OH are you hurt?
Are you hurt?" she exclaimed. breath
lessly to the woman. The latter put
out her injured arm and opened the
gate with a bang NO, fell down
but | want hurt a mite Would ha'
been home an hour ago only | wanted
to teach some smart fools a lesson
She strobe VI. the walk and into the
house. letting the screen door slam
after her.
Again the helpless fit of laughter
came upon Ralph. He leaned against
the gate. rubbing his numb arm and
shouting with mirth. This time he
had sweet echo, and looked into a
rosy face dimpled with fun. for after
one blank moment. and a glance at the
state of his attire. the girl had
semed to divine all. in n flash.
The young man looked down some
what ruefully at his coat and shoes. II
seem TO have received the worst OF it,"
he said
The girl looked up with a trace of
shyness. You could come in and
clean up. Do not mind her. she's pc
culiar. but"
He broke in with a question. ANY
relation?" he asked. What IL she
should be the mother,
NO. Oh, no. We are boarding here
my mother and l. Mrs Thurston
takes boarders every summer"
She started toward the house, and
Ralph followed. Mrs. Thurston met
them at the door. She led the young
man TO room. supplied him with
water and clean towels in grim silence
But as she was leaving she paused
Gimme that coat" Ralph handed Il
to her, and she disappeared.
Presently she brought back the
coat. The long rip was neatly mendei.
Guess this'll do till you can see
tailor. Dinner ready in half an hour"
That dinner was a memorable event.
1t was a well-cooked meal, served in
the long bay windows where the
ramblers climbed in over the sill. Mrs.
Thurston lost some of her grimness.
and even smiled once or twice. Mrs
Farrand. the girls mother. was very
gracious.
And the girl herself? She sat by the
open window. not in the blue dress he
had pictured, but in snowy white. In
her eyes were the lights and shadows
the expressions he had seen in the
eyes of the Dream Girl around the
bend in the stream His wonderful
vacation had. indeed begun
Afterward. he saw her alone for a
moment on the porch. The glove lay
in his pocket. He was afraid to ask
her about it. Suppose it should not
be hers. He drew it out slowly The
light from the window shone upon it.
The girl reached up ard took 1t from
his hand.
Why, you fond my slove," she ex-
claimed in SURPRISE.
1T is yours, then?"
Yes. I'm so glad. It is not very
pleasant for one not to have mate.
He looked down at her.
I'm finding that out. too" he mGr
He moved a step nearer.
Good night" He pressed the little
soft hand In both his own fer a mo-
ment. "Pll see you tomorrow morn
ing" he said. I've arranged win Mrs
Ihurston TO come here to boarG''
Farm for Fur-Bearing Animals.
Some Germans have established a