Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-03-11


were Of sterner stuff than you pretend
I've been all the evening waiting 10
n chance to speak with you"
Come, then" pouted the CIR
'We'd better go somewhere else; IL
dark here, and naughty"
You're the greatest riddle I've ever
run across" he confided.
Constance stared on.
The dance is over" he observed.
"Sb III l take you back to your box?'
$50 you wish to be rid of me?"
mo; but l presumed you had this
taken
perhaps l have, and would rather
stay with you," she teased. But don't
let me detain you; you may want to
get back to someone yourself"
The Englshman sat down again.
90 you like Dick Brindsley?" he
probed.
Eyes" she answered steadily. WHY
do you ask?'
You're not with him so much as
you used to be-"
al like any number of men," she
evaded.
You're a fiirt. in other words!"
"In other words"
isn't that something to be asham-
ed Off"
"I never learned that 1t was"
"Then you ought to be taught"
You're another of these men who
want to teach me?"
81 should succeed, If l made the
attempt"
$50? I dare you. Come to-mor
row aud try"
The books glowered at each Other
and the light blinked at the table. Th'
alcove was empty.
Suddenly a man hurried in and
dropped into chair. His mutterings
were interrupted by the temperance
of the Englishman.
care you engaged to Miss Doll?" he
yer .ured
Dick swore, and asked how thai
concerned him.
81 am in love with her."
The music sounded, accentuated by
the tread OF the dancers.
40 you think it's right for you tq
keep your engagement a secret?"
"Why not? 1t is her affair, and
mine"
81 think It is the worlds aff1ir,
Would it be just for married peoD'e
% go about as unmarried. Don't on
10 it to enable her to attract more
oen?"
"I don't like the way you put It."
uorted Dick.
10 wonder. If women can entice
en-, men can turn about and entice
hom. II she loves you, all right; and
she does not, then you're well rid OF
,er."
Dick rose. and his chair toppled.
AN enga cement should be m r''
7crcd thing than this" persisted n
lther. "1f you do not announce t
then bewarel"
Twenty hours passed. The clock OIL
he mantel was sounding 9. A fire on
The hearth was singing to itself. There
was no other light.
Depends on how strong he is,
came a deep voice.
"Are you strong enough?" tinkled a
girls laugh.
Never mind" retorted the English
man. crossing to the window. He lift
ed the shade and peered out.
What are you doing?" she queS
toned.
You'll know soon enough" he re
Piled, going back beside her.
I'm not an inqulsitive girl, you
see."
Lucky for me. Listen: Do you
believe secret engagements ans
right?"
DO you?" she parried.
HIN! Well, don't believe in ell
gaRements at ALL"
Never expect TO get maTried?"
Married first, engaged ai.er."
Constance laughed nervously.
little later park policeman, who
had been leaning on the handle bars
of his bicycle, saw man running to
ward an automobile which stood be
fore the house on the corner. The
policeman saw him place a strange
great bundle in the tonneau ant
spring to the Wheel There was the
squeal Of the spark-advance, the roal
Of the racing engine, the clack of the
shift-leveT and the crunch OF the
gears. The driver leaned forward
shifted to the high, threw il the
lutch and was of at break-necl
speed.-PERSIS WHITE.