Putnam patriot., 1913-02-14

.xuv,. q. --~ r.-... ~aanv-s screw. gray dress, with just the touch of white at neck and throat, and the soft gray ribbons tying her bonnet beneath her chin. was marked con trast to the dashing beauties he knew. But with all her simplicity of manner she had that indefnable quality called charm" which may not be acquired through the donning of gaudy raiment and the heightening of the color of the cheeks. nor by any of the extran- eous aids to beauty which need not be particularized here. And such charm. also. may not be lost at any moment by the one possessing 1t. Charm in woman is like magnetism in man. IL manifests itself unconsciously and naturally. so that others measure the possessor by it and not by his or her appearance.
 Harry drew her toward him. still holding her hands There was no mistaking his wish. Lucy. unsophisti- eated though she was, understood him.
 Nay. Harry" Lucy said. Thee k,ow I do not think girl should be 'sissed before she is welded"
 "All right" Harry laughed. drop ping her hands You always have your way with me A girl ought to be mighty careful who kisses her after she is married, too. don't you think"
 Lucy smiled quaintly. Some of liar rvs jests were a bit too flippant for her. Harry went on:
 Really, I'm mighty sorry I didn't meet you at the train. But you see, had a little trouble with my machine this morning"
 Tt was as we'll that thee did not meet us. It would have spoifed fa- thers plans. We wanted to find thee In thy usual atmosphere.
 Again Harry looked quickly at her. The surroundings were such as to make him keenly alive to any possible suggestion of some other meaning than her words implied. But Luey's face was as serious as ever. She looked about the room. and sighed: "Thy house is just lovely Tt will be-" Harry said glancing apprehensively at the door of the room where Mrs. Blazes was waiting patiently for her hat-.'It will be when it's fixed up. Some things have to be moved out"
 And will thy sister-Carolyn-wi she show me about the house?' Lucy asked.
 Certainly" Harry answered. gal lantly. But you don't need her. Just make yourself at home. Go anywhere you like.'
 Lucy started toward the room where Harry had placed Mrs. Blazes. But Harry was following her to detain her.
 And in here?" Lucy asked. What have you there. Harry"
 There? There?" Harry stammered. "Why-why. that's just some old junk fin there. Wouldn't interest you at all"
 "A junk room? How odd!" "Yes-I-you see-I used to have fad of collecting junk" The sweat was standing on Harrys brow He knew that Mrs. Blazes could overhear him, and his brief experience with that lady taught him that she had a natural feminine aversion to be- ing termed junk. If she should de- eide to assert herself by opening the door and making a few remarksi The thought was appalling Come, Lucy" he suggested. Let's go and see-and see the goldfish"
 Nay, Harry" she smiled, Let me see thy collection of junk. l did not know thee were an authority on that v Later, Lucy" he said. Later" Then l will peep into thy library" she decided Is not this it?' She started to the other door, open | ing into the room where the Count | was whiling the time away and con | tenting his soul with such patience as | he could muster.
 No, mol" Harry said, almost fran | tically, catching Lucy's arm. Not | now."
 But why, Harry" live got little surprise in there for you. Lucy"
 "A surprise? Oh. surprise me now!" ..4