The Detroit times., 1913-02-25
LEAF SIXTH.
(Continued.)


--frig time with her Down TT the Aotes
the other night, and | have hopes
never had before Now. Molly, do put
him between you and her. sort OF
cornered. so he can't even see Ruth
Chester. She is too old for him. And
Toms mother looked at me over TIE
orange peel as TO a confederate.
"Humph, I'd like TO see you or Molly
or any woman corner Tom Pollard,
said Mrs. Johnson with a wry smile as
she tasted the concoction in the wine
glass.
Il have to put him at the end of the
table because he Is my kinsman and
the only host I've got at present, Aunt
Bette" I said regretfully. l always
take every chance to rub in Toms
and my relationship on Aunt Bette,
20 she won't notice our Irritation.
"Td put John Moore at the head of
! the table II / were you. Molly Carter,
because he's about the only man
you've Invited that has got any sense
left since you and that Chester girl
took to visiting Hillsboro. He's host
OF steadiness in himself and the way
he ignores all you women. who would
run after him II he would let you.
shows what he Is. He has my full con-
Adence." and a. she delivered herself
to this judgment Of Doctor John, Mrs.
Johnson drove In all the corks tight
and began to pound spice.
Hes not out of the widower-woods
ret Caroline" said Aunt Bette With
her most speculative smile. II have
about decided on him for Ruth since
the Judge has taken to following Molly
about as bad as Billy Moore does.
But don't you all say word, for
Johns mighty timid, and | don't be-
lisve, In spite Of all these years, he's
Had . single notion yet. II he mad
had he'd have tried a set-to with you.
Molly, like all the rest OF the shy
birds In town. He doesn't see wo-
man ~ anything but a patient at the
end Of q spoon, and mighty kind and
gentle he does the dosing OF them,
too. Just the other day-dearie rue.
Judy, what has boiled over now?'
And in the excitement that ensued
] escaped to the garden.
Yes, Aunt Bette is right about Doc
tor John; he doesn't see a woman, and
there 10 no way to make him. What
oho had said about ii made me realize
that he had always been like that, and
told myself that there was no reason
y IN the world why my heart should beat
IA my slippers ON that account. Still
! don't see why Ruth Chester should
have her head literally thrown against
that stone wall and wish Aunt Bette
wouldn't. 1t seemed like a desecra-
tiou even to try to match-make him
and Il made me hot with indignation
\ al over. dug SO fiercely at the roots
IN e my phlox with a trowel had pick
a up that they groaned so loud |
could almost hear them. / felt as
~ must operate on something. And
Il was in this mood that Alfred's let
4 ter found me.
ss q Il had surprise in it and sat back
on the grass and read 1t with my heart
4 beating like a trip-hammer. He had
sailed the day he had posted 1t aud
4 he was due TO arrive in New York al.
most a. soon as 1t did. Just any hour
now l calculated in fash. And
from New York Immediately to HIS
4 boro" he had written In words that
5 fnirly sung thsmsslpss-eA the paper
III was frightened-so frightened that
s the letter shook In my hands, and with
only the thought Of being sure that
st Ilkk0L DC 8IOuG IOI y ISW MluOSC6 WIN
ft, Ned to the garrett.
s Surely no woman ever In all the
world read such letter az that, and
no wonder my breath almost failed me.
sH Wa . loveletter In which the cold
paper was transubstantiated into a
heart that beat against mine and bow
20 my head over 1t 10 wet II with
toarA l knew then that had taken
his coming back lightly; had fused
ever II and been silly-proud Of 1t;
while not really caring at all. All that
AWFUL melting away OF my fatness
I Aeemed let q lack OF confidence In his
: love for me; he wouldn't have minded
"a I weighed nve hundred. l felt SURF.
He loved me--really, really, really;
md had sat and weighed him with
IN lot Of men who were nothing more
\ Than amused by my nightiness, or TAX
~ with my beauty. and who wouldn't
have known such love II 1t were shown
Sxo them through q telescope.
III reached into trunk that stood
Tight beside me and took out a box
{4hat hadn't looked into for years.
His letters we're all there and his
4 photographs that we're az handsome as
y the young god OF love himself. I could
hardy see them through my tears. but
VA kneW that they were dim In places
with being cried over when had put
Il tnem away years ago after Aunt
}<A dolin0 decided that | was TO be mar
Rod. kissed the poor little-glrl cry
Il Apots: and with that a perfect food
" ~ tears rose TO my eyes-but they
liant fall, for there, right In front OF
N 80, stood q more woe-stricken human
3o0ng than l could possibly be. IL
Mod by APPEARANCE.
Molly. Molly" gulped Billy. II I'm
n ~ sick I'm going TO die here on the
AOor." and he sank into my arms.
9-AsOh, Billy, what is the matter"
&41Dpod and gave him little terrified
E Mamie Johnson did it--poked her
tN0eor down her throat and min.. too :"
N ~ walled against my breast. 1--WE
Wos full Of things felix's gived US to eat
va couldn't eat M more. She said
e ~ did that with our fingers il would
NJ came up and We would have room
x1pt some more then. She did II and
IN eojng to die dead--dead,"
Nc, no. lover; you'll be all :igh, in
Uoc60d. c.ay quiet here In your Moi.
10 lop and you will be well in jus, a
MN minutes" said with a smne 7
n his yellow mop as I kissed nc
norfail kiss-spot. Where's Mamie 81
<ko0Ght to ask with the greatest ap-
ohoosion
~ the garden eating cup-cate
nv baked hot for both OF us. SLe