The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-24

on
QUAIL

she's stiil asleep--she isn't much for
exercise. And Nan. hope you don't
| overdo IT. Yesterday / saw you out
there IN that bet sun on the links, bare
headed You'll yet sunstrokei"
The girl locked al him In puzzle
ment. She had never worn hat,
save under threat. She had Iivcc in
the sun all her life. And so had he!
This was Leith Story's influence, Of
| course Another thiug--she felt his
strained attitude toward her For
a moment ne looked at her in the
old way. then suddenly took up his
( paddle
j didn't mean to intrude ON YOU
/ ne said. and was off before she could
answer that she was very glad
/ he was there. The" occurrence, small
in itself, hurt her.
| A few days after this In the late
| afternoon she was coming in from the
! links and met Terry. For won
! GER Leith Story, usually too lazy
+ Tor effort. was walking with him
! She was bare headed. under her rose
coiored parasol. her soft curls pinned
crowfl-wise upon her small head. her
! feet in high heeied white slippers. Nan
greeted them IN passing for
the hrst time with dislike for the
{ other girl. so nonchaIantly sure Of
| the man with her. Nan gave a look
81 the sky-it was ciouding.
/ Don't go too far or you1l get
caught IL "a storm comesu up
I Terry, intent on the girl with him.
made "A vague answer He WAS a
! little troubled. He had asked Lclth
TO walk and she had consented list
! lcssly.
y s. anything to get away from
the everlasting old ladies! she had
answered. OF course. your mother
is dear, but one doesn't always
want older people. / don't under
stand them. for one thing"
! He did not like this They walked
along. talking. dawdlng Before they
knew II, tho sky suddenly be-
came very black lie turned back in
stantly, and Terry tried to hurry her.
but her high heels interfered. And
she was little fretful. Also. she was
visibly afraid. There was literally no
shelter III sight, and the nearest out
building OF the Stanton place was
! nearly half mile away. Rain began
to fail. thunder rolled and fierce fash
OF lightning cut the clouds. She put
her hands over her eyes, but he took
her arm aud tried to help her on. sup
porting her
III We hurry We won't get very
Wet, he sootned, and taking off his
white flannel coat. put it about her
Oh See. trees are not Ii safe place
IN thunder storm. / must get you
nome sofne way. don't be afraid. 1t
Was careless of me not to heed what
Nan said
'Nan--that tomboy!" she said ir-
ritably. But she happened 10 know
FOR onCei"
Terrys defense Of Nan rushed al
most To his iips--he suddenly loved
her boyish, outdoor traits. 1t vas
tor
He would have liked 10 shake Leith
Story.
The rain was beginning to come
down smartly now, and the road was
slippery. She chung to him and he
held the ridiculous rose -colered par
asol over her.
Then Ii sudden crash of thunder
made her scream and hold tight to
him. He tried to get her to go on.
but In vain. And then rescue came
Around corner came little
covered phaeton, old Dawson driv-
Ing. Nan, macklntoshed, rubber
booted got out. smiling. level-headed.
i Il knew you'd be caught came
after Miss Leith.' She aided Terry
In getting the girl in beside the
coachman. wet and complaining, her
hair uncurled and beginning to string
over her face, her white slippers
heavy with black mud. She hardly
thanked Nan, but the girl did not
mind that-Terry WAS giving her a
beaming look OF thanks
Drive Miss Story round to the
side door Susan will lie ready for
her, Dawson commanded Nan.
I'm going To walk In with Mr.. Law
renee"
1-eith protested family
Nan stopped her. We're both
ducks We used to get away from
mother and put on old things and
get wet purposeiy~-and We both love !
a warm rain---don't we, Terry?''
He nodded as the vehicle turned |
and faced Nan, her hair curling about
the edges of her waterproof cap |
The phaeton went It's way.
u noNer VISA asos glad. ta bs rescued
in all my life. Nan. blessings on
YOU Seems ar Il had found the |
comrade -angel Of old timest"
She walked thankfully, blissfuliy |
beside him in the steady rain. splash !
Ing the mud with her. little rubber
booted feet. She smiled at him.
"Nan--it was horrid OF you to
say things about me to Leith Story.
What made you9 1t isn't like you"
you tell her you were dead sick OF
having q mere neighbor always at
your heels like retriever" Her
look made him aware that she had |
never said a word Of the sort. Hts
wet hand went out fer hers, and she |
gave IT to him frankly
Some folks" she said gravely. ARE
quality. and some are not 1t shows
in the way they stand daily wear
and tear. Don't you think SO. Terry"
He stopped In the muddy road to
give her happy but very wet kiss