New Ulm review., 1912-12-04

"No.'' And John turned away. He
walked out into the country across the
bridge at the confluence of North
Branch and South Branch. where rises
Grants Knob. He followed the path
that leads. corkscrew fashion. to the
crest Of the knob, and there. in the
thick of the shade of a big walnut.
leaning against an old bOwlder that
had crowned the knob longer than John
could remember, sat the object of his
quest.
He had an instant to look at her be-
fore she observed him, and smilingIy
he availed himself Of it. And very
| charming. very alluring she was to his
eyes in her light summery gown and
the big. soft leghorn hat with it's flow.
ers and leaves dancing in the breeze.
An open book lay in her lap. but she
was not reading. Through half closed
eyes she was gazing dreamily at the
hills that marched away into the blue
| distance.
He took Il step toward her She
heard him and looked up.
"Hello.' he said.
"Good afternoon Her salutation
was very cool indeed.
"Of course if you don't want me to
stay
1T isn't my hill
He laughed outright. Tier tactics
never wary, it seems" he remarked
reflective. though. Queer. isn't it.
how attractive girl becomes when
she puts on that frigid, speak to me it
you dare manner?'
"You were very stupid not to know
me the other day"
"But l remembered you
"You mean you forgot all about me-"
las an impudent. long legged. free
kled tomboy with red hair while you''-
He paused deliberately.
MY hair was never red" she replied
coldly. --5
Suddenly the clouds broke away. She
returned to him with a laugh. "Oh.
| can't keep it up. But where did you
get your courage? You weren't nearly
so brave the other morning. I've been
here six days Why haven't you come
! to see me?" she demanded. Ess- &t
well, you see," he began lamely to
explain, i've had good many impor-
tant things to think about and
And I was neither important nor in
terestng. You need practice, see"
"But you are" - s~.I..z, y
"You really find me interesting?
You know. I've worked hard, very
hard. to earn the Involuntary. generous
compliment am about to receive
II do-surprisingly So" he responded
promptly. ~
"You needn't be so surprised" she re-
torted. Il was always rather present
able in spite Of the freckles. only you
| wouldn't condescend to notice it. You
| didn't like me-
"But you were such pesky little
| nuisance. you know. E Let me see,'' he
added refectively. that was-yes, it's
been ten years since / last saw you.
Not counting the other morning, of
course
mo. eight" she corrected him. You
saw me after the big game, the time
you saved the day. You walked right
by me, looking straight into my eyes.
| and never recognized me. You were
too anxious to reach Adele Whiting
ton and be made hero of by her. She
| was as proud as-as I'd have been if
I'd had the chance-to exhibit you.''
''How is Adele?' :s
"Oh. she's dreading thirty, is fighting
down a tendency to fat, has begun to
paint and often asks about you. Are
you still in love with her? And am
cat to talk so about her? And has she
had many successorsY'
"No to all three questions. She gave
me bad three months, though
I'm glad of it, she declared venge-
fully. Didn't you know was terribly
in love with you? That's what made
me such pesky little nuisance oh,
you needn't look so shocked since it
was only calf love and have quite re-
covered. Quite!" r.
So while the golden afternoon waned
they exchanged pleasant nonsense. His
spirits rose unaccountably. He was
very boyish. very gay. Sometimes they
rose to half serious discussion that
skipped lightly and audaciously about
from peak to peak Of human knowl-
edge. She had travelled much with her
father. who. it appeared, had really
learned how to travel having to make
the most of his limited leisure. She
knew places not starred in Baedeker-
quaint. obscure. corners OF the earth.
full Of color. John helped out this part
of the talk with questions more or less
intelligent She was pleased to com
mend his interest.
''One could almost believe you had
been there. You would enjoy these
places. know. Not every one does
I'd love to visit. not do. them with yon
sometime. "
I'D like to very much But he an
swered simply. I'm afraid it will be