Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-01-19


up This will do finely" he an.
nounced. "1'll have you down there
in no time at ALL"
Gently. he raised her in his strong
arms and disposed her comfortably
on the sled. Then he grasped the
ropes and started off at brisk trot.
III reminds me OF the times when
used TO draw my sweetheart to
school on my Sled" he called over his
shoulder. Ever live in the coun.
,ry?"
long ago." she answered. III
seems ages
Then guess this makes you young
again, too
That's polite" she replied with
laugh.
u didn't mean that" he sammered.
Il meant it would make you kid
again. | didn't suppose that you were
an old lady, though with that brown
veil. you might be my own grand
mother"
Thank you again" she cried.
Il guess won't say anything more.
he chuckled. perhaps wasn't buili
to pay compliments. Is this where
your turn
ITO the right"
Fright it is" and the sled swung
around the corner. Presently. at hel
word, he drew up il front Of house
and again ne lifted her in mis- strons
arms. The ankle hurt terribly. bu'
there was something comforting il
the sense OF his strength.
II vas only a moment before MS
ring was answered and as the door
swung open and the yellow light
streamad out. Mrs. Donaldson gave
cry OF surprise.
Why. Ned Carson. what are you
doing here?'
I've O. bundle marked damaged in
transit" he explained, smilngly, but
l did not know that it was for you. Is
it Alice"
Certainly, the poor child. Take her
In the pafor and I'll be right along
with hot water and bandages."
Carson carried the girl into the par.
lor and deposited her carefully upon
the sofa.
ST never thought" he said soft
ly, when | spoke OF carrying ny
sweetheart TO school. that il was mT
real one-time sweetheart that | was
talking to-"
Alice coored wildly. She remem-
bered those old days. and how they
had plighted their childish troth. Ned
had gone away and they had lost
sight of each other What would he
say when he heard OF her engage
mento
ri run away with that borrowed
sled before the police get after me.
he announced briskly. Then Ill
be back 10 ses il I can be of any
use"
"Alice heard the front door close and
settled weakly back upon the pillow.
It seemed cruel, just as he had iounu
her again and just when circumstances
recalled their childhood, that she
should repay his kindness with disillI'
sionment. She had been genuinely
fond of Ned in INC old days, and she
hated 10 give him pain. Yet it was
best that she should tell him frank.
ly II was a, generous cruelty.
Presently he came stamping back n
announce that he had caught the small
boy just going for policeman, and
that he had compromised for q
quarter.
His good humor was infectious. and
Alice found herself forgetting hcr pain
In listening to his recital Of his eXDe'
riences in getting ahead He was
so frankly proud OF his success that
il: seemed a shame to dispel the new
ly.awakened romance by word. yet
she nerved herself to the task.
l. have a surprise for You she be
gan. After all this talk OF OLD times,
doesn't it seem fanny TO hear that I'm
engaged. I'm going TO be married in
the spring.
She shrank back against the pillows,
awaiting the look Of disappointment
she feared. Neds face lighted with
kindly interest.
Take my advice" he said, and go
TO Westinghouse for your hone
They areEso used TO bridal couples
there, that no one notices them. That's
where we went last year
Then, blushing guiltily, they looked
into each others eyes and-la"ghed,