The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-11-28

nay shoe? It's like this" She thrust
out patent-leather pump.
1-could," he answered imperturb-
ably, but 1 prefer staying here until
you're sure" Her anxiety suddenly
left her.
"Oh, he's gone now. He'd have to
be to get that last train. Otherwise
he'd miss dinner! He'd lose his life
before he'd commit an unconvention-
atty! He wasn't perfectly sure he
saw me, anyway, l ran so fast when
saw him coming. He'll think | went
IN the motor with the Thompson's,
and they'll think | went with the Gid
dlngs! Everything will be lovely I'M
I'll they all turn up but the guest or
honor! Cousin said we were mad to
motor out here when we'd have to
rush to get dressed Now she will be
wild! There's somebody she wanted
me to meet-he was to take me out
TO dinner. Poor Steve she sighed,
ana Elwood knew she meant the man
from whom she had hidden. Poor
Steve-thought he'd like it settled
before then! You see, he doesn't
wan the money half as badly as he
-wants-me." Her tone was demure.
Naturally" remarked Elwood with
conventional compliment.
The girl made a little saucy face
at him. Not naturally" she Knocked.
1T isn't natural for him to leave his
lazy lolling on a southern ranch and
chase after a mere girl clear to
Rhode Island when most of the other
girls back there wouldn't need chas-
ing!"
With a quick, graceful movement
she rose, ruefully pulling together
great tear in her skirt.
Nancy" she adjured herself,
you're an impossible person! You
tear your clothes, and lose yourself
from your own dinner party, and you
Sit unchaperoned in the woods with
a strange young man who politely
tries not to seem shocked and bored" y
Elwood laughed and drew her hand
under his arm
Come, I'll counsel you-and If
you'll lean on me we'll find your
shoe together, and if you really want
to get to that dinner can get Fred
Holly's motor in ten minutes and take
you in. We might be late. but Mrs.
Wharton might forgive us-if-"
"Us." she said with belated and I'M
necessary hauteur He stopped and
dropping her arm, took some papers
from his pocket. Finally he handed
her a monOgramed envelope.
Oh she said. recognizing the
hand, oh"
That asks-Mr. Elwood Pierce
to dinner for Miss Nancy-Some-
thing"
Nancy 'SomethingH" she said in
dignantly. In that case, what were
yOu-doing in the woods?"
What were you doing? running
away?" he unused.
"You-tried to-get away! YOU
didn't want to meet me-and YOU
are punished" she chanted joyously
starting briskly down the path. He
corrected her.
Il am-everlastingly-happy." he
said gravely. IF that happens
which intend to have happen" He
did not finish, but meeting his eyes
her own glance sought the ground
'There's-my shoe!" she called joy
ously. And as he put it on her foot
she said quietly, "Much-might de-
pend on how fast you got me back to
cousin Mary up her back
stairs. I could dress in ten minutes,
at pinch. Could we make it?"
He pulled out his watch. 'I-be
lieve-if you'll trust my driving-that
even yet l can give you twenty min
utes to make yourself unnecessarily
lovely in! Just wait on that bench
under the tree. Back in a minute!!"
He was off for Fred Hollys car.
Haste, and need and excitement
made the young man so inarticulate
that Holly hoped heaven would for
give him for letting him have the car
He tore off, driving at indecent speed
An hour later, just as dinner was
announced, Miss Nancy Mason ap-
peared.
Nancy" said that lady, where
were you! But you can explain later,
Meantime, we are waiting, and this
is Elwood Pierce who, for his sins, is
to take you in"
Nancy gave him a sidelong glance
of great sweetness. DO you-mind? p"
she asked, as if she had not seen him
before.
Not in the least" he said gravely,
the pleasure is-perfectly earned.
you little hypocrite," he added under
his breath, az they filed to their
places at table.
Copyright, 1917. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)