The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-02-04

ing the summer house that was in
tended for the scene Of my disappoint-
ment made careful survey of the
grounds. A path led from q gate be-
hind our yard and path from the
Blakes' yard to the summer house.
Between these two paths and near to
the summer house were some bushes.
Miss Blake would observe me going to
the rendezvous and would follow me
under cover Of the darkness. What, II
anything, she intended to do didn't
know; but, whatever it was, it would
be done from behind the bushes.
During the day l kept a sharp look
out upon the fair one next door-not
an inappropriate occupation for St
Valentines day-and observed her 60
ing about demurely, with never smile
on her face or, so far as could see.
twinkle in her eye. To look at
her one would have supposed butter
wouldn't melt in her mouth. There
was something fascinating in gazing
upon such innocence, knowing the
| WI tudt II was d SoNSi loi
the most arrant ROBUSTNESS. AS for
casting the least bit Of sly glance
across the hedge, she seemed entirely
oblivious TO the fact that there was
any other side to it than her own.
Was there ever such duplicity con-
cealed under so guileless an exterior?
| When night came ] at last was In
state of uncertainty could lay no
plan by which to surely head her Off
She had safe retreat from the bushes
| gate. The worst that could befall her
was to be seen entering her own
premises. But this would give me no
information did not have, and it is
| questionable If she would care II it
were known that the decoyer lived
there. since she might assume that it
would not be known which one Of the
occupants had perpetrated the joke.
! What mainly relied on was my feet
ness and that as well as she might
work under cover of the darkness.
! 1t is pretty dark at s O'Clock in the
evening on the 18th of February. and
in order that Miss Molly should know
that | had gone to the rendezvous
put on light gray coat, carrying a
black one in my hand. Having thus
arrayed myself, sailed forth, not
doubling that ! was watched by the
girl next door. had no sooner en-
tered the summer house than l took
Off the light colored coat and put on
the black one. Then. getting down
fiat on the ground, wriggled around
with view to getting between the
girl and her home. l had gone a part
Of the distance when I saw silhou-
cite against the sky running for the
clump Of bushes. On reaching it |
heard loud ha-ha and saw the sill
houette dash like the wind for the
gate. Quick as fash I was on my
feet, running for the path, and body
Of flesh and blood ran right into my
arms.
Ohio" l said.
LET me co."
''Not just yet. have bone to pick
with YOU
LET Inc go don't know you"
II know you very we'll"
Il have not injured you"
"Yes. you have. You are my enemy
LET me go, l say" And she made
a vigorous effort to release herself
from my grip.
DO you know how the good book
tells US to treat our enemiesF
mo. and | don't care / want to go
home"
1T tells us to love them
She didn't struggle quite so hard aft
er l said this. but she pretended all
the same
You must excuse me for being frank
with you. This is St Valentines day
and we are permitted to tell each 9TH
er our feelings. I've been watching
you from my side Of the hedge and
have noticed what a nice. pretty girl
you are. You haven't ever seen me in
our yard, have you?"
mo, and | don't want to see you.
Let me go"'
II will Of you'll tell me one thing. and
tell me truthfully. Who sent that val !
entine to my brother with the bit Of
paper in the pocket with Maud on it?'
There was no answer, but renewal |
OF the struggle to get away. / held |
on tightly.
you must tell me that and tell me |
who slipped the valentine in our letter
box decoying me to the summer house"
AS before. the only reply was more
"Well, since you don't seem disposed !
to buy your freedom with information
On these points I'll give you another
kind of chance. You must admit that
i girl who deceitfully and with malice
induces fellow to meet
IN Imaginary person in summer
house and gets caught in her own trap
must expect TO pay some sort Of ran
som. Now, Wen call it quits for one
kiss
81 supposed you were above such
mean things as that"
81 didn't know that you were aware
~ my leinp vnur naiphhnr r,,unh ln,o |