The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-11-15

INl ring and on inquiry Informed
sSTySFfl him that the ladies OF the
G:s$sGsk.sJ Hampden family were not at
home.
"Wlll you wait, siri"
"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 smilingly
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 its 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 step toward her. She
heard him and looked up.
"Hello" he said.
Good afternoon" Her salutation
was very cool indeed.
"Of course il you don't want me to
stay
"It isn't my hill"
He laughed outright. Her tactics
never wary. it seems" he remarked.
Effective, though. Queer, isn't it,
how attractive girl becomes when
she puts on that frigid speak to me if
you 6ere manner?"
You were very stupid not to know
me the other day
But / 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.
| Suddenly the clouds broke away. She
returned to him with a laugh "Oh, |
can't keep II 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
"Wel. you see" he began lamely to
| explain, 1--WE had II good many impor-
| tant things TO think about and
And was neither important nor in
/ Won mad nraptipa I cR.Ar
But you are"
"You really find me interesting?
| You know, I've worked hard very
| hard. to earn the involuntary, generous
compliment l am about to receive"
81 do-surprisingly So" he responded
promptly
you needn't be so surprised" she re-
torted II was always rather present
able in spite Of the freckles, only you
wouldn't coudescend to notice it. You
didn't like me-
But you were such a pesky little
nuisance. you know. Let me see," be
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 AdeleY'
"Oh, she's dreading thirty. is lighting
down a tendency to fat, has begun to
paint and often asks about you. Are
you still In love with herr And am a
cat to talk so about herr And has she
had many successorsT
mo to all three questions. She gave
me a bad three months, though"
I'm glad OF It," she declared venge
fully. Didn't you know | was terribly
in love with your That's what made
me such pesky little nuisance. Oh,
you needn't look so shocked since II
was only calf love and ! have quite re
covered Quite!"
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 1udaciously about
from peak to peak " 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.
zone could almost believe you had
been there. You would enjoy these
TIaoaS I lrunu Not avarV ona does