The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-02

BY cLARIssA MAckiE.

Copyright, 1910. by Associated Literary Pressy 4
me wide piazza of the farmhouse deserted
the door. The entire household had gone to a ciam-
bake three miles distant; buxom Mrs, Blake farms
err We her maid servant. and all the board@
o'clock - -
her mother and sister II her sprained forbads
enjoy herself quite as well in the hammock WITH her
books and needle work. She not afraid. Ponto
the big collie, was her slave day would soon
pass.
When the last had rumbled away and she had
cheerfully waved her handkerchief long as the pic.
niekers remained In sight, Helen picked up her book
But her eyes strayed from the open page cool
SHADOWS on the grass under the dropping ens to tina
distant sunlit fields where the garnering a
DEBATED hay crop and with little sigh OF contenment
her comfort
small table at her elbow held water pitcher and
glass and bottle ON lime Juice Ned Freed had drop
ped tempting box OF chocolates within reach soma
gray shawl her pretty little foot, ts slender
ankle now swollen beyond belief Farmer Blake had
propped his cane against the door amb and Mrs Blake
had packed little basket of lunch that
invalid might enjoy the flavor OF picnicking nothing
An hour passed. The night before had been pains
full one with many wakefu hours. Heiens book drops
ped from her fingers, lips closed. In her white
gown there was color about her-just a tinge Of
rose In the delicate lips and the iustre Of
her hair
The tall clock in the dining chirned and
tumbed in out Of the holyhocks a hummlng bird
poised trembling above the honeysuckles. These were
all the sounds save a cautious step on the grass.
Ponto lifted his and shifted as a young
approached the house. scanning the windows
with swift searching glance. He murmured some
words to the aroused dog and Pontos head went down
its towsy paws.
The man paused the top step and stared at Helen
Rogers, asleep in the hammock With sharply in
drawn breath the turned his from
the sleeping girls and laid his hand the knob of this
door
Ponto growled the clock struck the half hour. and
as IL watching for these signals He!en's dark eyes
opened suddenly the vision of dusty traveistaned
She sat upright With stiaea cry and he withdrew
his hand from the knob. He faced her.
..I-er-really. must explain my errand?"
harmonic with her soft eyes and wnsome face. "Of
course. you must explain whom you wish to see You
have no right to enter the house
II won't that question with you he said
firmly "As matter of fact shall enter the house
now and give my credentials afterward He stretched
forth a hand to the knob.
Helen tossed aside the shawl and swung out of tbs
hammock Her left hand grasped Farmer Biakels cane
and held the door hracing herself against
Her injured foot barely touched the foor
His low laugh dehed her sort of enter If you
must bur i win be across my dead body-s really
worth all this fnsse A little angry light cleaned In
his blue eyes and he took the and very gently
With a cry of palm Helen tottered and her wesghs
falling on her sprained ankle crumped her into white
aoh by Jove on What "G have done now didn't
the child hurt. Piucky little girl" He
sprained ankle--no wonder she tainted away" He
picked the bottle of lime juice eyed it critically
He mopped her forehead with the sticky mess and
some Of its pungens juice trickled into her ana
brought her to consciousness He poured glass
Of water and held il to her lips
I'm very sorry-you see i didn't know you had
bad foot. Do you feel better now?" He replaced the
glass the table and leaned against the porch pillar
swift upward glance that the intruders face
was not villanous one indeed. there was an ain
of engaging frankness about the dark blue eyes.
What makes you do IL" she asked suddenly,
"Do what?"
"Burgie for living. It's so-wreng you know. Il
man as big and strong as you are should work.
quiet smile curved his lips But-you see do
zee I'm doetor-interne at the Civic Hospital and
you must know Mrs Blakes son-oh. dear Of COURSE
you Jack Blake." Heens face was crimson now
At your service he said with sweeping bow
Helen saueiy You certainly are suspicious looking
character"
pied his hair into worse untidiness Il don't know
what's got into the village-no vehicle OF any sort
at the station nor the road. Lost straw hat
climbing fence and hungry bit into the crown.
% s the ees saoe to 81 ee wax
looked appealingly at the lime juice. and Helen's
Ing drink
Have some?" he asked holding out the glass
then you may share my lunch nvsrseodss so sas
to the cambake and 7 was keeping house alone
Il forgot to explain that I wanted get in and
surprise mother: she wasn't expecting untn next
week He brought her basin Of water from the
kitchen and clean towel and watched admringly a
she removed the traces of his restorative.
rs lime juice of your remedies?' she asked.
Il use whatever is at hand-you should be thanks
Il am said Helen demureiy .Now. let us hav.
lunch--your mother has prepared picnic basket foo
,me-~but wait--you WILL want to join the clambake
YOU win Be in lime know they left Brownie in the
stable, and there is the beach cart"
mo thanks said Or. Blake with emphasis "wer
have picnic here, and then perhaps when il is
cooler / may drive down to the beach SO we
may come home with the folks I've been to plenty
OF clambakes--but this Is the first time" He did
not finish the sentence did Helen need any ex-
PLANTATION OF his meaning. In silence deftly laid
the little table for two and then sitting down smiled
across breadth
.WeiI Miss-Snmmer- boarder p"
"oh. forgot-Tm Helen Rogers. We have been
here since June. Mother says she shall come every
summer"
-And your
II suppose shall. too.
TIN WILL" said DR.. Jack is his slow dravi
There was strength ard purpose and underlying
tone Of authority In his voice. the color ckered in
Helen's cheeks and her eyes evaded his and looked
over into the suniit fields
But wherever she looked she saw nothing else save
the deep, steady glance or his friendly eyes her
glance wanaAEid back his and met his smiling case