Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-01-30

@-~~-~@N--
@And what with your arriving In a
gale" he broke In. fresh from the
wreck OF your schooner. landing on
the beach in a whaleboat full OF pic
turesque Tahitian sailors and march
ing into the bungalow with q, BADEN
Powell on your head. sea boots on your
feet and whacking big Colts dam
Cling on your nip-why, am only too
ready to admit that you were the
quintessence of adventure.
very good" she cr1ed exuitantly.
"Its mere simple aritnmetic-the add
ing of your adventure and my ad-
venture together. So that's settled.
and you needn't 1eer at adventure any
more. Next | don't think there was
anything romantic in Iudor's attempt
ing to kiss me nor anything like ad-
venture in this absurd duel. But
do think now that IL was romantic
for you to fall In love with me. And
finally, and II Is adding romance to ro-
nance. think-I think | do love you.
Dave-oh. Davew
The last was signing dove cry as
be caught ner up IN his arms and
pressed her to him.
but don't love you because you
played the fool today" she whisper
ed on his shoulder White men
shouldn't 60 around killing each 9TH
err"
Then why do you love mel" he
questioned. enthralled after the man.
ner Of all lovers In the everlasting
query that forever mas remained un-
answered
Il don't know-Just because | do.
guess. And that's all the satisfaction
you gave me when we had that man
talk. But have been loving you for
weeks-during all the time you have
been so deliciously and unobuusively
jealous OF Tudor"
"Yes. yes. so on" he urged breath
lessly when she paused.
II wondered when you'd break out,
and because you didn't loved you all
the more. You were like dad and
Won. You could hold yourself in
check. Yo6 didn't make fool OF
yourself"
mot until today" he suggested.
Eyes. and | loved you for that too.
1t was abort time. began TO think
you were never going to bring up the
subject again And now that have
offered myself you haven't even ac-
cepted."
With both hands on her shoulders be
held her al arms length from him and
looked long into her eyes. no longeE
cool. but seemingly peryaded with
golden fush. The lids dropped and
yet bravely did not drOop AZ she re-
turned bis gaze. Then he fondiy and
solemnly drew ner to him.
"And how about that hearth and
saddle of your owu!" ne asked mo
ment later.
Il well nigh won TO them. The
grass house IL my hearth and the
Martha my saddle. and-and look at
all the trees I've planted. To say 10th.
ing Of the sweet corn. And It's all
your fault anyway. | might never
have loved you II you hadn't put the
idea into my head"
There's the Nongasela coming IN
around the point with her boats out.
Sheldon remarked irrelevantly. "And
the commissioner Is on board. Hes
going down TO San CristObal to Inves.
tigate that missionary killing. We're
in luck. must say"
II don't see where the luck comes
In" she said dolefnlly. 1--WE ought TO
have this evening all 10 ourselves Just
to talk things over I've thousand
questions to ask you.
"And II wouldn't nave been a man
talk either" she added.
but my plan is better than that"
he debated with himself a moment
"You see, the commissioners Is the one
official IN the Islands VINO can give Us
a license. And-there's the iuck OF it,
DR.. Weishmere is here to perform the
ceremony. Wen get married this
evening"
Joan recoIIed from MIN In panic,
tearing herself from mis- arms ana go
ing backward several steps lie could
see that she was really frightened.
"I-l thOugbt"- she stammered.
Then slowly the change came over
her. and the blood flooded into ner
face In the same amazing blush ne
had seen once before that day. Her
cool. level looking eyes were NJ longer
level looking nor cool. but warmly
dropping and just unable to meet nis.
as she came toward nim ana nestled
in the circle of his arms. saying softly,
almost In a whisper:
II am ready. Dave"
TEE END