The San Francisco call., 1910-07-10


'.Tan YOU row?p inquired Theodore,
ignoring the warning. Gripping the
tunic with fervor, he conveyed his fat
body to the ground. Tan you row."
he repeated. but Pauline did not heed.
"We-el?' said Theodore Wilmetding,
3D.. Els voice, always high pitched,
rose to a shrek, and Pauline reused
from her abstraction to see small
face, whose rosy mouth curved into an
aggrieved circle and whose blue eyes
were Indignantly reproachful 'We-el?'
he repeated in the next higher key.
For heavens sake. child, what is
the matter?" she exclaimed.
Il only said. tan you row." said
Theodore, in normal tones. tMuvyer
says, Say well stead of what Tan you
row." Wrath and amusement strug-
gled in Paulines breast, then the latter
won the day.
..Of course I can row." she said. ''but
this is padding. Theodore. II you want
to come with me, leave those things on
the bank, and you'll nave to sit stu.
for If YOU don't''-her tone grew darkly
threatening-"or If ever you scream
az me as you did just now, I'll drop
you right into the water, SO there. we
are going to look for a nice place TO
have a picnic on Thursday night Do
.sO-o-ot' murmured Theodore, long
drawn and with rising infection. he
laid his cherished possessions on the
grass and moved nearer the water
edge, and an instant later the canoe
shot over the lake with Theodore Oh
of him, his fat hands clasped over his
patent leather belt. and his round blue
eyes fixed on Pauline's face.
Around the next curve in the bank
landing, leading to deserted nsnlng
shack. and it was this spot she had in
the inn in boats the landing would be
convenient, and she had a notion, based
upon recollections of. long. lazy morn
ing spent there some weeks back, that
the banks near the shack would make
an advantageous rallying ground. To-
day however. when the landing was
reached, a rowboat was moored there
a gayly painted, inoffensive little craft,
but Pauline was puzzled Boats did not
spring up of themselves in night. She
pushed Theodore up the ladderlike
fight of steps. and paused amazed. A
thin line of smoke arose from the totter-
ing chimney of the shack, many-hued
hammock swung across the porch. and
in the hammock sat a young man, sort
ing fishing tackle, with a fat bull terrier
at his feet.
"Oooov' said Theodore Wilmerding.
Sd, did you come to see him." Paul
ines hand descended hastily over a rosy
mouth. but the man had heard. for he
dropped the tackle, and raised his eyes
"Oh-er--good morning. he said. has
tily removing his soft felt hat.
II had no idea any one was here
Pauline,s checks were crimson. II am
going right saway." She seized Theo-
backed toward tow the steps.
please DON'T" said the young man.
You've only just come and we love
visitors. Jumbo and l. PaulineS chin
tilted haughtiy.
"I have explained that It was a mis-
take she said, as she hurried the now
audihly protesting Theodore ahead OF
ibid you come to see hi-im?" walled
Master Wilmerding Pauline cast an
agonizing glance over her shoulder.
The young man had followed her to the
top of the steps and she caught his eye.
'I want to beg your pardon he called
humbly. "Of course you couldn't know
was here te,d only tgo came asn last night gnd
and I took the shack for my vacation
a montll-but IL I am driving you away
I'll give it up. Say that you will come
Did you come to see hi-im?" wept
Theodore Wilmerding. Sd.
Promise you will come back" pleaded
the young man. Pauline dipped her
straight ahead. and if they were less
angry the young man could not see. In
the bottom OF the canoe Theodore
sobbed under his breath. Did you come
to see hi-im?'
Did you find a nice place to have
supper. Pauline2' queried Miss Bertrand
at dinnertine. why, how hot you look.
child
'I found one-a little this side of the
landing" Pauline,s cheeks grew trifie
pinker. but Miss Bertrand was too alb
sorbed to notice.
Pauline is going TO make the sand
wiches," she was saying to Mrs. Law
renee. Hers are simply heavenly and
she knows so many kinds. What are
the rest Of you people going to do? Re-
member. there isn't a city market to
"Fll take pineapple lemonade" said
one LADY. 'It makes a nice change and
I know I can get canned pineapple in
means of carrying ice?"
There is Theodore's refrigerator" put
In Mrs. Wilmerding, timidly. You were
all SO nice about having him--it has
handles and can be carried SO easily
There will be cold tea, olives, crack
ers, little cakes. and I am going foi
make some of the most adorable little
tarts,' Miss Bertrand went on; they
are really miniature pies and carry
beautifully. Mrs. Lawrence. we always
count upon you for deviled eggs What
are your sandwich plans. Paullne?p
,nto ndfe Wat wab5ereresS nuts made
nuts beside the regulation ham, chicken
and lettuce" said Miss Bentley. Il
have my box. of Japanese lanterns and
will go through successfully She
pushed her plate aside and left the
room. On the stairway she paused and
shook a defiant fist at the wall II said
this side of the landing; not at it, she
remarked into space, s'and no one but
Theodore knows. Besides" she con-
cluded irrelevantly as she mounted the
next STEP "he has awfully nice eyes,
The harvest moon picnic began as a
success. Just at sunset a little process
sion of canoes and rowboats, with Paul
ine and Theodore in the lead. left the
inn end of the lake. What the former
was pleased to term her box of friIls
had done good service, for Pauline was
determined that this picnic should be
pleasing to the eye, even If there were
no man to see.
Perhaps 50 much planning had taken
off the keen edge Of the realization
with Pauline; perhaps she and Theo-
dore found the moon, and the tinkle
of Miss Bertrand's mandolin, and the
gossip of their elders, not quite all
Satisfying; be that as it may, midway
in the evening by mutual consent they
betcok themselves once more to the
canoe. despoiled for the time of its