The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-09-29

fact that some clumsy gawk selected
me as target this morning. Really
there should be law preventing such
persons running at large"
Harriet was getting up courage to
confess when Ralston came to her
rescue.
why talk about personalities. Bill
ly?" he began. Suppose you ask
Miss Lake TO share our repast."
The three of them sat down. tailor
fashion, on the floor of the old barn
and made inroads on the luncheon.
Nothing was wanting. Cold drink in
patent bottles, sandwiches, salads,
strawberries and a jar OF ice cream.
Such feast. And when they had
finished they were old friends.
Il say, Bill. Violet certainly does
unit up fine luncheon" said Ralston
She the greatest girl man ever
found" agreed Billy.
Violet! Who was she? Harriet could
not explain why she felt a touch of
disappointment on finding that BILLY"
too, was a married man.
Il guess I'll be running along" said
she after thanking the men for their
hospitality. "Oh, no, you need not
drive me over in the machine. The
fact is 1 just live in that big shingled
house beyond this fence"
With wave of her hand she was
gone, and the men watched her slip
under the fence and disappear behind
the tall hedge on the other side.
The storm did not clear away en-
tirely and Harriet realized that the
lawn dance which the Williamses were
holding in honor of their first ami
versary must be given indoors instead
of on the lawn. So she donned her
prettiest frock, Harriet was never on
time for anything, and when she ar
rived the dance was in full swing.
Mrs. Williams GREETED her at the door.
You do look peachy, Harriet" said
her hostess. What have you been
doing TO yourself? You are more love
ly than ever. Oh, the poor, poor men,, -
added Mrs. Williams mockingly.
They stood together for a moment
and the beaming face of Billy Burch
confronted them.
'Mr. Burch, this is Miss Lake." said
Mrs. Williams. 81 know you two will
get along immensely. Poor Billy was
hit in teh hand today by some stray
Cling luatic who thinks he can play
golf. But barring his injured right
hand, he's the dearest man in the
WOrlQ-eXcepJ one.
At supper tim Chilly discovered a
coy corner in the conservatory where
they could "eat in peace without being
interrupted by that married man, Rails
ton" as he expressed it. Harriet was
eating salad and studying Billy with
her big, dreamy black eyes.
~ wish Violet was here" Billy ex-
claimed as he tasted the salad
w Nfr I
1 am not sufficient company"
Billy actually snickered. but Harriet
was plainly in earnest, so Billy ex
planned:
You see. Violet is my colored cook
that l brought up with me from the
southland if she were here she could
taste this salad and then go home and
make a better one; see?"
But, Mr.. Burch, 1, too, have a con-
fession TO make"
Spare mel" cried Billy. Il will
run for Arthur if you wish a father
confessor. He's listened to my sins
for years, and really borne with them
very leniently."
But Harriet insisted.
Il want you TO know that / am the
clumsy gawk,' the struggling lunatic'
who hit your hand today"
Billy beamed.
That's not the only place you hit"
he said. "Thatll get we'll; but you
gave my old heart such a blow that
it is completely broken in two, Miss
Harriet, and only you can mend it,"
But Mr.. Burch-" began Harriet.
"Oh, l know what you're going to
say" interrupted Billy, but don't say
1t yet. I'm in love and l know it,
though l don't expect you TO fall in
love with a cripple on sight; but some
day, Harriet" he continued in softer
and more earnest tones, maybe you
can say yes"
Harriet looked once more into his
clear, honest eyes. Shee, too, was in
love and she knew it. He had none
tn chest of her there.
Il haven't said no. have II" she
asked. And Billy felt that in time his
heart would be emnded.