Las Vegas optic., 1913-09-26
STRENUOUS WOOING
But With the Assistance Of Cap
sized Boat He Won
the Girl.
Rr louis oLNEY.

When he called for Patricia some
thing In her face told her that her
| time OF reckoning had come. Vane
Harris was the sort that will be dan
gled Just about 30 long. but no longer,
and she knew that even for her she
carried matters with high hand. She
carefully began by extolling the per
fectly worthy weather Patricia had
instincts.
THE lake is lovely, isn't tt" she
remarked as they strolled to the little
dock, smooth and clear, and it's not
too warm, A canoe is just right to-
day" She looked at him sidewise-
his dark face was bit grim, but
he smiled.
He knew that Lawrence Patterson,
the only rival he really feared, had
Just returned from the west and was
at this moment searching for Patricia,
YES" he conceded. the canoe. the
lake, the day-and you-seemed the
right combination That's why
wickedly cut committing to the office
and came for you. It's luck to have
found you" She also gave little
grin. She had come partly to suit
herself, partly because she had lately
tormented him rs far as she dared,
but mostly to Discipline Ted Barnard
who was becomins too importunate
and whom she had lett on the veran-
da unconso'ed by her younger sister.
I'VE mus; be hack early" she in
formed him, Il am due at Mrs. Forbes
for luncheon. There is new man
she won't say who. am supposed
to make things interesting for the
newcomer"
Vane silently helped her to her
seat and then knelt facing her, Indian
fashion. with his one paddle He was
tall and well-knit bareheaded with
the wind blowing his heavy, dark
hair He looked fondly at Patricia,
in her cream 1annels, her hair glory
in the morning sun.
II guess you know how to make
things interesting for a man-when
you choose he answered, but with
out malice, 81 should know that"
what do you mean?' she queried.
Experience teaches" he said. at
length that Miss Patricia Carey
somehow makes a man aware Of her
presence. When are you going to
marry me?" He demanded abruptly
H had never before asked her out
right Now his tone didn't suit her
Il don't fancy the threat in your
voice. haven't, said that would
marry you at all" She trailed one
hand in The water. carefully looking
away from him. All at once he
stopped padding.
"The threat" he spoke drily, lis
Intentional You have trailed me. a
more or less willing victim, for
year now At first I was not sure
that wanted you" She gasped at
| his impudent frankness. THE reason
why / thought might not want you
was that you have never lived in a
real home. When I marry l want al
woman who will make a real home.
| can give her everything a man can
give toward making one mean
that your people died and left you
and you poor little thing, you have
been passed about from aunt to aunt
and badly spoiled. Don't be angry
Just hear me out, But began to see
that your instincts are true and fine
and right, and that all you needed
was a chance. You are very domestic,
but you don't know IT yet.
Thank you, she interrupted, her
eyes wide with angry astonishment
and an angrier consciousness that he
was speaking the truth. He went
quietly ahead with his personal re
cording of fact.
81 decided that In San Francisco aft
er had known you three months
| For the six months thereafter, by let
ter when not in person, endeavored
| to make you love me. ] came to my
own conclusions, which were-that
you either loved me or you didn't.
and that In either case you were a
perfectly skilful coquette. So the last
three months / have rather rested
on my oars TO see now Tar you Woufu
lead on Ted Barnard, and hall
dozen others none Of whom you care
a rap for!"
Indeed" She calculated. while he
toe lie again and turned the
boa .the sun would be out o.
his { = s.'J full in hers. not a gal
liant proceeding, but useful in his
study Of her eloquent little counter
ance. "You are quite clairvoyant-"
j y-observant-an reflective
8 Patricia. No other man except Law
Z renee Patterson--has really troubled
me for a moment. Do you care TO
him?"
she looked her seorn of the ques
ton when he asks me that, shal
9 do as like about answering, AS TO
you-I don't think care much abou
this trip with you. didn't come ou
to be bullied. You may take me bacl
Aunt Margaret is quite right shoul
be more careful and not go about u
n / fTI L. - l..