The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-10-23

something TO eat for both. Brooks
gaze never left her exquisite face
while she was engaged In the pretty
but rather self conscious occupation
CT instructinG the waitress. After the
girl had departed. he leaned forward
across the little table and said. a trife
hoarsely and disjointedly:
at was most appetizing to watch
nothing but tea and sandwiches II you
were to order them"
"You've said a great many silly
things to me this afternoon"
81 wonder"-he stopped and lowered
his ~vofce-"I wonder II you would call
1t silly II | were to tell you that | love
you. very, very much" His gloved
hand dropped upon hers as she fun.
bled aimlessly with the menu card;
something in the very helplessness Of
that long, slim hand drew the strength
Of all his love toward it-all Of this
confident, arrogant love that had come
to be so sure of itself In Sese last
days. His gray eyes, dark with the
purpose Of his passion, took on a new
and impelling glow; she looked into
them for an instant, the wavering
smile Of last resort on her parted lips;
then her lids dropped quickly and her
lip trembled.
81 should still think you very silly"
she said in a very low voice. unless
unless you do love me-"
His fingers closed so tightly upon
hers that she looked up, her eyes swim
ming with tenderness. Neither spoke
for a long minute, but words were not
needed to tell what the soul was say
ing through the eyes.
81 do love you-you know I do, Con-
ME I've loved you from the first day.
I cannot live without you. Connie,
darling. you won't keep me waiting?
You will be my wife-you will marry
me at once2 You do love me. I know
I've known 1t for days and days.
She whimsically broke in upon his
passionate declaration. saying with a
pretty petulance: "Oh, you have3
What insufferable conceit! r.
He laughed joyously. II never was
30 sure Of anything in my life," he
said. "You couldn't help loving me,
Constance; I've loved you SO. You
don't have to tell me, dear; l know.
Still. I'd like to hear you say, with
those dear lips as well as with your
eyes, that you love me-"
She put her hand upon the back of
the broad one which held the other i'm
prisoned: there was a proud. earnest
light in her eyes. II do love you" she
said simply.
God. but I'm a happy mani" he ex-
ulted. Forgetful Of the time and the
place, he half arose and, leaning for.
ward, kissed her full upon the upturn.
ed lips.
There was a rafting Of chinaware
behind them. In no little confusion
both came tumbling down from para.
disc and found themselves under the
uouohCu uChy Vi NSiy tSu oSC
young serving woman.
"Oh. never mind" stammered Gret
chen quite amiably. II am used to
that, madam. A great many ladies
and gentlemen come here to-to-what
you call it?" She placed the tea and
sandwiches before them. her fingers all
thumbs, her cheeks aglow.
Brock pulled himself together. Very
sternly he said. This young lady is tc
be my wife"
"Ach." said Gretchen, with a friend.
ly smile and the utmost Difference
that is what they all say, mein herr
Then. giggling approvingly. she hustled
away.
Brock waited until she was out OF
sight "She seems to be on to us, as
Freddie would say. But what do we
care? I'd like to stand on top Of the
Bandjoch and shout the news to the
world. Wouldn't you, dearestf"
The world wouldn't hear US. dear
she said coolly. Besides. it's raining
up there. Just look at 1t sweeping
down upon US. Goodness!"
He laughed hilariously. amused by
her attempt to be casual and indiffer
emit You can't turn 1t of 30 easily as
that. dearest" he cried. Come! While
1t rains we may plan. You will marry
me-tomorrow?"
Nor she cried. aghast. How utter
ly ridiculousv'
We'll. then. day after tomorrow"
mo. no. nor week after next. r.
"See here. Connie. we've got some
one else to consider as well az ur-
selves. In order to square 1t all up for
Edith we must be able to say to these
people that we haven't been f%rivOling-
that we are going to be married at
once. That will let Edith out Of the
difficulty. and everything will look rosy
A.