Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1913-06-28

ana stepped 70 the pavemont, tOf
lowed by an explosive snicker from
the conductor.
Belding had already crossed the
street and was entering the park.
Desperately she pursued him, daintily
picking her way a. she hurried along
with strange. uneven step.
AS she reached the curbing Beld-
ing suddenly faced about He looked
a. her with insolent surprise.
Are you following me?" he de
mar ded II don't caxe to be followed,
you know"
Yes, I'm following you," she re-
torted In q voice tense with outraged
feeling. "ril follow you until we
meet policeman. He'll know how
to treat man of your stort."
"In that case" invited Belding,
come along"
He turned and strolled up the
graveled path, whistling lightly and
fecking at pebbles with his walking
stick.
But for the absence of her slipper,
Jeanette might have found amuse-
ment in her tandem walk Belding
had chosen an unfrequented path,
fanked on both sides by dense
bushes. He marched unrelentingly
ahead, while she trugded helplessly
along in his wake. Her sense Of the
ridiculous might then have rescued
them both from an absurdly exagger-
ated situation; but she was suddenly
and sharply reminded of her shoeless
predicament when she placed her foot
with bruising force upon a pebble in
the path.
"Ouchi" she cried involuntarily.
Belding glanced back.
Pretty rocky going for few feet
here" he called cheerily. III help
you over"
Before she could protest he had re-
turned to her side and lifted her
gently to her feet. Smothering her
struggles in a bear-like grip he car
ried her dozen steps up the path,
and then set her down lightly In a
patch of soft, green grass.
That's better" he said. Now we
can go on looking for that officer"
But" she began protestingly.
"Oh, please give me my slipper!"
Are you ready to say that you've
forgotten last night-that everything
is to go on as before?" he Quizzed
earnestly.
Certainly not! Never" she flashed.
"Oh, then perhaps we'd better be
finding your policeman" he suggested
pleasantly.
You're a boor!" she exclaimed.
bad names never did make me
amiable," he limited. And you're ask
ing me q favor. tool"
"A favor!" she DRIED with fierce
irony. by demanding the return Of
my slipper, supposed That's not
asking a favor Of you. You can be
sure I'll never DO that asain!"
You also said you wouldn't come
to the park with me-" he taanted.
Yet, here you are! I'm amazed"
N didn't come with you!" she ex-
postulated heatedly. II only chased
you-as one does a thief. That's en-
tirely different"
Now that you've caught me, then.
why don't you call a CopT' he Knocked.
He stopped and peered through the
underground. Il believe l see he'll
met over there now."
why do you keep harping on
that?" she asked with little less
heat. Il don't want to have you ar
rested-I just want my slipper"
And l." he drawled-"I think I'll
finish my walk"
He turned on his heel and started
briskly up the path. She stood alone
in the grass watching his disappear
ing back with growing concern. When
she understood that he really In
tended leaving her, she suddenly felt
her brave determination wavering.
Toni" she cried despairingly.
tom, please come back."
He responded with startling eager
ness. Twenty steps brought him pant
ing to her side.
you've reconsidered?" he asked
expectantly.
Her reproachful eyes became softer
as she read the hungry pleading In MS
face
what else could do?" she walled.
You're so cruel and unrelenting, and
there's a hole in my stocking. Did
you expect me to stay all night In the
park?"
Wen go home togetherl" he ex-
ulted, edging closer.
She drew away with quick move
ment. and held up her hand sternly
THE slipper tirst!" she com
manded.
He placed his hand in his pocket,
and then glanced at her in deep en-
barrassment
Let me go find a taxi and take
you home" he parried.
The slipper!" she reiterated
IL lo0obad ,.noarfainIv