Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-03-29

The next morning from my window
at the rear OF the house aud overlook.
, ing the summer house that was in
tended fer the scene Of my disappoint-
ment | made careful survey OF the
grounds. 4 path led from gate be-
hind cur yard aud a path from the
Blakes' yard to the summer house.
Between these two paths aud near to
the summer house were some bushes.
Miss Blake would observe me going 70
the rendezvous and would follow me
under cover of the darkness. What, If
anything, she intended TO do | didn't
know; but, whatever ii was. 1t would
be done from behind the bushes.
During the day | kept sharp look
out upon the fair one next door-not
an inappropriate occupation for St
Valentines day observed her go
ing about demurely. with never a smile
on her face or, SO far as could see
a 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
while that 1t was merely a cover for
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 ii than her own.
Was there ever such duplieity con
cealed under so gulleless 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
over straight path to her own back
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 IL 1t
were known that the decoyer lived
there, since she might assume that Il
would not be known which one OF the
occupants had perpetrated the joke
What mainly relied on was my fleet
ness and that | as well as she might
work under cover of the darkness.
1t is pretty dark at 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
black one in my hand. Having thus
arrayed myself, | sailed forth not
doubling that I was watched by the
girl next door | had no sooner en-.
tered the summer house than ! 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, | had gone a part
of the distance when | saw a silhou-
cite against the sky running for the
elump of bushes. On reaching 1t
heard a loud ba-ha and saw the sill
houette dash like the wind for the
gate Quick as fiash was on my
feet. running for the path. and body
Of flesh and blood ran right into my
arms.
"Ohor' | said
let me gor'
Not just yet have a bone to pick
with you"
Let me go, ! don't know you"
II know you very we'll"
Il have not injured You"
Eyes. you have. You are my enemy"
let me 90, | sayw And she made
a vigorous effort to release herself
from my grip.
do you know how the good book
tells us to treat our enemlesf"
"No, and | don't care. / want to go
home"
1T tells us to love them"
She didn't struggle quite so hard aft
er I 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 nice. pretty girl
you are. You haven't ever seen me In
our yard, have your
NO. and | don't want TO see you.
Let me gor'
I Il win of you'll tell me one thing. ana
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 70 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
struggling
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
girl who deceitfully and with malice
aforethoucht induces a fellow to meet
an imaginary person In summer
house and gets caught in her own trap
must expect TO pay some sort Of ran
som. Now, vel call IT quits for one
kiss"
Il supposed You we're above such
mean things as that
II didn't know that you were aware
Of my being your neighbor, much less
understanding the traits Of character
possess"
There was bit of a giggle at this.
ana TOOK courage.
"Beggars cannot be choosers," / said.
Il shall have to decide the penalty for
myself without asking you what you'd
rather do
took kiss 50 quick that she had no
time 10 defend herself. Then | opened
my arms and let her 60 She walked
away 10 her home. and when she
reached the gate / heard her say spite
fully: