The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-03
BY LOUISE MERRtFiELD.

Literary PreSS.)
For one moment Hascombe lost his
head.
Its been a joyous summer, grille,
and there's another one ahead OF us.
Ill try to come back
He was lying full length at her
feet on the shore, Nan hardly noticed
him. Her face was turned down to-
ward the point. Something OF the
sunset glory seemed to hnger on its
girlish contour. but her eyes were full
Of latent mischief.
It's so nice of you even TO promise
that MIR. Hdseombe." she mufmured.
"Motherll be glad.
Won't your
Il won, be here
Hascombe sat up.
Not II / should ask you TO be
here?"
Nan laughed and bit her lip.
You always seem like funny, over
grown boy TO me when you try TO
be In earnest"
I'm not trying, Nan. You've known
all along just what I've meant"
Its a good thing for me that |
have" laughed Nan. "Oh, don't pro-
test, now. and try to make good at
. the last minute. You don't have to
with me. You come down here with
Hal"
He told me about you before l came.
and that's why"
Halls awfully prejudiced
Hanscombe kicked at bit OF drift
wood half buried In the sand, and
frowned. Fate was leading him into
snare He knew when he reached
the danger point and always moved
along al the right moment. He didn't
want to marry any girl He had come
TO Point Of Pines purely out OF curl
! osity to see Nan Phillips because Hal
I has said she was the "balliest' girl in
the world.
I Across the bay he could see the white
! spot OF the tents even in the deepen
! ing twilight Tomorrow he would bs
on the train bound for. the West. And
! Hal would he over there in the tent
with Nan In the cottage UP in the
pines, only a few hundred yards away
I Won't you miss me a bit, Nan
I Lots" Mans tone was perfectly
matter OF fact. You're a dandy bass
/ catcher
! Il can't seem 20 catch anything
else" said Hansconbc cheerlessty
/ whats the matter with me. Nan?
Natter How" guilelessly.
! Don't you like me"
VERY. yery much. so does mother.
/ Are you sorry you kissed me-
savagely as a last chance at suFrihe
up emotion.
(Which time? o.
Have YOU got them all tabuiated foi
future reference? Nan, didn't you care
at ail?" ,.. r.
| the first time Mans voice was iitti
unsteady. She still watched the far
a nos
into the sea. But 7 don't care now
/ suppose that's the last test. isn't II
When YOU know that everything 7
, going to end, and you just don
care"
Would you go with me?' Hans
| combes face was a study in con
fiicting impressions. 1t was not al
invitation he gave, merely one of hi
specuiative flyers in love. and Nan
knew it, She laughed, and shook he
head.
1T would be Il pretty hard sen
! teuce, wouldn't II For both Of US
: No. thank you. kind sir. not today.
a Hanscombe studied her for a :rin
ute in silence. He did not know
this mood. Vaguely he realized tina
Nan was. as the boys would call II
"kiddin him. 1t was not pleasant L
be SIN IoOt. l ~ nailbaSh, anu "
"kldded." especially by the girl h
had been gracefully trying to depar
from without breaking her hear
Watching the little reddish curls tina
snuggled against the tanned throa'
he wondered what the next ten min
utes held for him. All at once h
knew that Nan Phillips held hi
heart and future very neatly balance
on her strong little pink palm. An
there was Hal.
You see, Bob, you're nice to hav
around"
Like a hammock or cake OF Tee,
g1owled Hanscombe. Go on"
But I don't believe you'd make
good captain in rough weather. an
we get a lot OF that sort through life
don't you know It? You're GOO
pal to talk to. and all that. but"
She stopped suddenly and stoo
up. He saw In a moment what ha
happened. Drifting rapidly out
the open sea was their motor boat.
couple of miles across the bay wa
the little summer camp on the poin
And they were on an island in mi
channel. with no chance OF steame
| passing before the city boat in tn
morning. Hanscombe kicked off hi
shoes.