The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-19

go and camp on her porch ana Inen
claim her on sight. His courage rose
er than asking for, the grill He woula
at least put things to the test and get
out of his misery.
He struck along the winding path,
eager and alert, until he reached the
highway through the woods, hard,
smooth, fine road for MacAintosh's
machine, for instance. And as ne
walked down it, back toward town, ne
suddenly turned a corner and Denelo
that same hated blue car. But 1t was
standing still; and in it sat girl
alone evidently. Probably Macintosh
was on his back under the thing-he
hoped ardentiy for that sight. Then ne
quickened his gait that he might the
sooner be sympathetic and helpful.
Anne's back was toward him and she
sat leaning hstlessly against the side
of the seat not hearing him until he
came around the car. and close enough
to touch her, had he dared.
"Oh!'' she said, and started. You"
where's Maekintosh?' he demand
ed, peering beneath the machine.
"Gone to telephone for help-thing's
beyond tinkering. / stayed here" she
| finished a little lamely, and flushed. for
| there was a new something in the gaze
| of the man who looked straight into
| her eyes. Was itintention, mastery?
It was certainly something that would
| not be denied
The girl made haste to laugh away
the thing that began to grip her.
"Amuse me, Jimmy" she said sud
denly. ''Have you any marbles or a
jack knife? We used to play mum
| blety peg-remember?"
But he would not be manipulated
! into distance, mental or actual. He
| held up a hand to help her.
Get out minute, Anne. I'm going
| to say something that I won't have
you answer in-his machine. Conner
She laughed again, but began slowly
| to obey him as he held her by one
hand to steady her.
When she stood safely beside him,
| under the crimson and brown oak by
the roadside. he was still holding to
| that hand. She pulled.
when yeu're-quite through with it,
| Jimmy, I'd really like to push in some
| and besides somebody might Come.a
Let them come! It's-my hand,
| Anne! I take i'll want i'll ask for
| it, Anne. Please, dear-please, Anne,
I've loved you long enough"
"Of course-if you feel that way you
might-stop it," she murmured, but his
| voice was stern.
Il mean I've loved you long enough
| in sileneei I'm not dumb, Anne, you
know, and 1 wouldn't mind asking You
from the housetops. Do you lose me or
not"
She seemed to consider.
Come, Anne. Yes-or no-wiH an
| swer my question:
But Anne was yet a Wonan-she
/ knew the way around. This was what
| she said:
| "Why-didn't-you ask me befere?''
| and then he began to kiss her
| OF course, being blind, they could not
| see Macintosh as he approached, but
| the young Scetchman's eyes began 70
bulge. And as his heavy shoe struck
a stone, they jumped like guilty things
| and turned just in time to come face t.
| face with him. Anne chung to Port
lands arm, as if danger threatened hei
the while. hardly knowing what he
said, the lover remarked namely:
| fWe're-engaged, we"
The other mans face was white, but
he managed to laugh, and he removed
his cap almost reverently.
'T-gatRer as much" he said stiffly
"And-if you're not good to her-I,Il5,
he turned on his heel, his threat un.
finished.
Then he erawled under his car AMI
began to tinker. And the two went III
the road to the crooked little path e
the birch Copyrighted, 1870 bS
Associated Literary Press.)