The Huttig news., 1912-04-27
THREE OF
 THEM


 one place where eompanionship, either masculine or feminine, made life en- joyable, it was at the beach. Besides, Robinson disliked his own company. It therefore must have had piloted him to the sands of Midland.
 Robinson turned over on his side and made ready for doze when he became aware that someone had 1 planked herself, with much fuss over l filmy laces and the disposal thereof, i close beside him. Her red parasol started to escape with a gust of wind, but unfortunately for Robinson she caught it. He knew instinctively that tation with this girl, yet, had he res cued pretty parasol from the clutch es of wind and perhaps briny sea it might have been different
 Out of half-closed eyes Robinson watched her open small volume. She did not read, however, she seemed strangely alive to her surroundings. Robinson was unaware that she had l appraised his own perfect physique and thick gold hair before deciding upon the particular spot of sand upon which to ensconce herself.
 Robinson's boredom had vanished: he watched with the utmost fascina- tion every movement of the girl be- side him. Her hair was spun cop per and blew maddeningly near her thick, dark lashes and her lips rivaled the scarlet of her sun-shade. Annoy ed by the confinement of he gloves she pulled them off and settled her self to more thorough enjoyment of the sand.
 Then it was that the day grew darker for Robinson. She was mar ried A sparkling diamond as well as the ,band of proprietorship shone on her hand.
 He turned abruptly away. A mar ried f1irti If there was one person Robinson disliked it was a young mar ried firt He stalked to his bath house and flung on his white flannels with haste that quite undid the dooling effect of his dip. Robinson was ineensed; much more so than the slight occurrence warranted. When he arrived on the board walk he seemed to see a hundred red para sels, all bobbing in different direc- tions. He refused to glance under any of them snd when the boat pulled out in the evening with him on board he had feeling of relief as we'll as one of disappointment that he had not again seen the little lady
 Presently he heard the chatter of voices. close to him. There seemed to be three of them, two girls and man. They began to sing-an the old songs that Robinson was fond of and knew so we'll
 Robinson could have sung tenor backwards and he unconsciously hum- med aloud. He saw a mans head peer out from the darkness and felt rather than saw that he was being inspected.
 Come and join us-we need a ten or" Tom Eyerly, being married and good fellow, had no scruples against strangers, he felt perfectly capable of taking care of his women folks.
 Robinson moved sover and raised his hat My name is Robinson" he said. Thanks far dragging me from the pit of melancholia"
 My name is Everly," said the bass Let me introduce my wife and my sister
 The boat had been coming about and now the moon shone full upon the faces of the quartet. Robinson turned quickly and met the same eyes that had looked into his on the beach those of the married firt He knew, now that he was near her again, that her charm had fingered, sub-conseious- ly, in his brain and he had met her husband, yet the feeling was the same He was cad. He liked Tom Everly immensely and had hoped to continue the friendship-now it would be i'm possible.
 Robinson racked his brain for pre- rudeness, leave the three but nothing presented itself.
 T think I saw you on the beach this afternoon. Mr. Robinson?" Babette Everly spoke for the first time '1 think you are woman hater."
 .I-I-no indeed-'
 "only married, &en?" The jocular tone covered up the depths of the girls inquiry.
 Not guilty in either case," laughed Robinson.
 'I have been guilty of the latter for a whole afternoon" peuted Babette and I am tired of it. Here, Carol take your old wedding ring. suppose you have forgotten that you gave me your rings when you and Tom went swimming"
 Robinson looked up-it seemed as if the dawn were already rising. Ger tainly everything was clearer and more beautiful and Babette Eyerlys voice was going on.
 Besides, 1 really think that MT Robinson has considered me a mar ried woman all along" She cast a sidelong glance at the tenor of their quartet.