The Marshall republican., 1913-01-24
CHAPTER XIV.
The MysssrIou. Motor Boat.

preneuu. n unnlly rvuu u ONcF
again. II was short. there was not q
line Of sentiment; II was q demand.
whyf II flashed into my mind that
II had to do with Natalie's missing
ruby. did not stop TO reason or
conjecture. I caught up q sweater,
for the night was growing cool and
already I was ~shivering. I went out
along the corridor. up the few steps
to the main hallway. then down the
stairs on the other side Of the few
steps to tho gallery. which was an
outlet to tho tennis courts. Hap was
waiting.
"whst 10 III" I gasped. "what has
happenedf Has anything happenedY"
"Yes." he answered, after q mo-
ment's hesitation. Something has
happened"
He caught my hand and drew mo
across the strip Of lawn that sep
arated the hosAe and the courts.
Whore arc We goinsf" ! asked
breathlessiy.
"To the beach. I want To talk to
you"
We almost stumbled over some one
asleep. Il vas Henri. Hap prodded
him with his foot and Henri sat up.
rubbing tho sleep from his eyes.
Oct up, you idiot" Hap command
Cd. nrhls IL no place to sleep"
Hell catch cold" I chartered as
the cold night air struck my arms and
my barred neck.
Henri arose and disappeared into
the shadows. Hap helped me put on
the sweater. turned mo around a. II
I were Q little child. buttoned me and
hurried me on to the beach We clat-
tered down the steps to the sand be-
low and sat down Just as We had
only . couple Of hours sso.
Nov. what 10 III" I asked. what
has h~sppersds"
you are prepared for s~nythinsI"
He gazed into my white face. I know
II vas white. you will not be fright
snsdf"
II am prepared for anythinGi" I an
swsred. trying to keep my voice
steady. Fl promise you ! will not be
frightened. I promise!"
He ciasped my hands in both his
own.
"Dariingi"
yes. yssr'
y love you."
wsitsA. fearing. drcading knew
not what.
what has happsned!" I asked
Don't keep me In suspense"
THAT has happened" He smiled.
"Whstf"
II love yoa."
looked at him Ia establishment;
- was smiiins easily. A sudden wsv'
o. an0sr swept over me.
sYou have tsicksd ne! though
L was the ruby. thought Wal
sure" Connsotsd thought forsool
.. ne.
.HaAg tAs rubyi" hs exclaimed. "
} ala trek you. dear. because you an
% hissssA ssasibbs. Your cool littl'
note, which ! have here over m
hsart, conviscsA ne that you are no
> q all Q eonfUrting hind Of . sves'
heart. but I hope 70 teach you. Nov
look into ny syss and tell me 20
love mel Nothins else matters
= nothing else except my love for yos
rm sorry : frightened you again.
didn't think Of that. only knew
wanted you to come. knew that
o couldn't wait another moment to se
, you. to hear you say you love me-"
y He was sweeping me on my fs<
again. I closed my eyes 70 steady m,
b seif. wonder II 10 knew just ho'
. much my being sensible had cost M
y Just how much more II was going I
d cost me to push back. trample down
I'm tryiag TO b sensible" ] ssi'
r. and the tone OF my voice was COO
because I was trying to keep II stead
}! my sister has pounded II Into me D
d know my head rules my hear
" there's q line In my hand that cay
3. so. but It's because ! must 30 DO
sibis."
!" gave way In contradiction Of N
70 words and swaysA forward. His ar
I went around me-. I placed my hand
" comraAsnke. on his shoulders. vi
trying to live W to that line In .
n hand.
a. "rhis can't % on I said.
n. "Whatf"
I '~rhis seeing you. With . moon nj
!" that. and no one near and loving you
ID He Kissed NJ before I could nnish-
% must b. ssaslblsi~
"You love ms--dsriinsf"
AZ "Ohl"
q "why must you b. ssnsiblsf"
ue thought for = while before ! Z
b. swsrsd. meeting his eyes unwavsril
I'D ". II was hard to put the answer
m. 10 words n he did not already und'
IN stand the intangibles everything II
ne was the reason.
- DC. YOU remsmbsr that I'm IN