Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-11-21

path that led to Phyllis woodland
kindergarten. At the b%rookside, where
the path diverged toward the school,
he had paused and thrown himself
down. Then it was that his bitter re.
mark had found a nearer in the person
Of the p%rettiest girl he had eve seen,
As a matter Of fact, Jack Wendell had
been practically blind since he<was fif.
teen-he had had no eyes for any other
girl than Phyllis. They simply did not
exist for him.
MAY baskets" repeated Jack gloom.
lily, a shadow passing over his face.
perhaps they will hang one on your
door," remarked the girl in a comfort.
ing tone.
II hope not! I hate spring flowers
said Jack ungraciously.
Given forgetmenots?"
Jack glanced at her demure, down.
cast face.
Given forgetmenots," he said stifly.
There was a pause while she daintily
punched her flowers and tied the
punches with long. tough blades OF
grass.
81 suppose l ought to go away and
leave you alone. You were here first
observed Jack without moving from
his comfortable position. His back
was against a tall chestnut tree.
"Suit yourself" said the girl care
lessly. If you were a perfect stranger
I might object. As it Isl
"As it isT interrupted Jack, begin
ming to be interested.
"We know each other well. You
slapped my face once" said the girl
calmly.
II slapped your face once?" Jacks
amazement was genuine. "Why,
never
eyes, you did, Jack Wendell. You
were eight years old, and I was only
five. 1t was at Miss Quilty's school,"
"At Miss Quilty's school-ah, yes!!'
Jack was scanning her face to discover
some trace Of a little schoolmate of
seventeen years before. She must
have been a rosebud of a little lass,
but as for Shaping her face-he simply
didn't believe it.
II suppose you remember all about
it," The girls head was bent over her
flowers.
"All but your name," lied Jack cheer
fully. 1t was remarkable how little he
was thinking about Phyllis Lambert
now. Il know it isn't SUSIE" he added
thoughtfully.
"Yesy"
"I'm sure. 1t must be Angela!" he
declared at last.
The girl burst into merry, tinkling
laughter. showing a double row of
pearly teeth. She tossed a bunch of
violets across the brook, and he caught
them deftly.
"Violet Merriam he said quickly,
and a flush deepened the pink Of her
cheeks.
clark! What was that?" she asked,
holding up a hand with a listening ges-
ture.
Footsteps stirred the old leaves that
carpeted the woodland floor.
Jack saw the newcomers first, for
they came into view behind the girl
on the opposite side Of the brook. Vic.
let Merriam heard them, too, but she
did not turn around until she saw the
utter CONSERVATION on the face of Jack.
What Jack saw was an elderly. white
haired man, dignifed and handsome,
walking slowly toward him. Beside
him there ~walked-nay, lumbered-a
very large woman. who might have
been twenty years younger than her
companion. Her skin was foridly fair,
and she was handsome in a large way.
Her eyes were very blue and her lips
very red. She had a double chin, and
she quivered like a mold of delicate
jelly every time she moved.
They did not appear to see the young
people by the brookside. Before they
reached the brook they turned anG
went away by another path. The cir
looked after them. Then she gazed
straight across the water into Jacks
bewildered eyes,.
"That was my father and she hes
itated. At that instant she was smit
ten with a vague recollection Of Jack
Wendell's infatuation for Phyllis Lam
bert.
And that was-Phyllis Lambert" ut
tered Jack when he regained his
breath.
eyes; but you know perhaps that she
had married my father?" The girls
sympathy looked out Of her eyes ever
as she delivered this blow to jack.
love.
Jack was looking at her with a queel
expression on his face. There was {
relieved look mingled with one OF
dawning comprehension. There wa!
mischievous delight mingled will
something else that it might tax,
months to decipher. He had forgotten
all about Phyllis Lambert.
He took N long step across tn,
brook and stood beside Violet Merriam
II remember all about it," he said
ignoring her preparations for instan
fight. II was right. I never slapped
you in my life. 1t was Billy Blak'
who did it because you wouldn't lie
him IiSs wont And after ho ron awo,