The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-03-24

The next morning from my window
at the rear Of the house and overlook
ing the summer house that was in
tended for the scene of my disappoint-
ment | made a careful survey of the
grounds. A path led from gate be-
hind our yard and a 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 il
anything, she intended to do | didn't
know; but. whatever it was. it 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-and 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 Mt
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 it was merely a cover for
the most arrant roguiShness. AS for
casting the least bit of a 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 dupiieity con-
cealcd under so guiieless an exterior?
When night came | at last was in
a state Of uncertainty | could lay no
plan by which to surely head her off.
She had a safe retreat from the bushes
over a straight path to her own back
gate, The worst that could Jefall her
was to be seen entering her own
premises. But this would rive me no
information | did not have. and it is
questionable if she would care if it
were known that the deroyer lived
there, since she might assume that it
would not be known which one of the
occupants had perpeUated 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 nth of February. and
in order that Miss Molly should know
that | had gone to the rendezvous I
put on a light gray coat, carrying a
black one III 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 | took
off the light colored coat and put on
the black one. Then. getting down
fat on the ground. Wriglled around
with a view to getting between the
girl and her home. had gone a part
of the distance when | saw 2 Silhou-
cite against the sky running for the
clump of bushes. On reaching it
heard a loud ha-ha and saw the sill
houette dash like the wind for the
gate. Quick as a fash | was on my
feet. running for the path, and body
of flesh and blood ran right into my
arms
Ohio said
LET me co.
Not just yet. have bone to pick
with YOU"
Let me go, | don't know you"
Il know you very we'll"
Il have not injured you"
Yes. you have You are my enemy"
Let me go, | 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 enemies!"
NO, and l don't care l 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 youT'
mo. and | don't want to see you.
Let me gor'
/ W III VI &. va II ltli mt OlIt tLlus-, anu
tell me trGthfully. Who sent that val
ent!ne to my brother with the bit Of
paper in the pocket with Maud on it?''
There was no answer. but a renewal
Of the struggle to get away l 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 III give you another
kind of chance. You must admit that
n girl who deceitfully and with malice.
afOrethought induces a fellow to meet
an imaginary person in a 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"
Il supposed you were above such
mean things as that"
Il didn't know that you were aware
of my being your neighbo", much less
understanding the traits of character |
possess"
There was bit of a giggle at this.
and | took courage