The Red Cloud chief., 1913-06-12

The stage villain smile was not reas
suring, but she decided not to show
any misgivings.
Doubtless you have plan for get
ting me back In time for supper. Mr.
Confield?" she suggested.
THAT isn't worrying me-" he re
piled. malevolently. THE wind may
shift and drift the boat back to US
by the time l am ready to 60"
"Oh. would never have thought OF
that" she confessed. She seated her
self on the ground as II she were per
fectly contented to wait.
You probably do not care to recall
the thirty.flrst of August. 1910. When
you and were last together at this
very spot?" said Garfield.
And how black the sky grew, with
yellow clouds that rolled over and
over like wreaths of smoker" she
prompted. "And how you rowed back
with might and main because 1t looked
But 1t wasn't much OF storm, after
ALL"
IT was enough Of one to save me
from giving you a chance TO laugh at
me. l was on the verge OF proposing
to you that afternoon"
She was gazing out toward the
boat. which seemed to have met q
head-wind that whirled 1t around and
around halfway between the island
and shore.
Il will admit" continued James
Henry. brazenly. that It was not the
first occasion when contemplated
proposing marriage; nor were you the
first intended victim. But the other
times I was restrained by inward
doubts instead Of by the interposition
Of thunderstorm. And the other
times I was glad afterward that did
not commit myself. With you, !
meant to find another opportunity"
He could see the color flaming IN
her cheeks, while she kept her eyes
upon the boat. He imagined she was
praying that 1t might drift back so as
to allow her chance to escape. But
he felt that she deserved to listen to
all he had to say.
II was looking forward to seeing
you the next summer" James Henry
went on, pitilessly. "You sent me
that announcement the next June. and
at the time supposed would be able
to cast the episode out Of my mind
I divided my August vacation between
mountains and seashore and returned
to work as a relief to my nerves.
THE rest Of my confession Is. that
I decided to spend a month here this
year, solely because believed would
find where we were together. and liv-
ing that season over again In memory
than could enjoy anywhere else. !
hardly need to say never dreamed of
meeting you here"
"Why not?" she asked. II came
last year, as you might have found
out had you taken the trouble to-
, to"
Acknowledge the announcement OF
your marriage" supplied James Henry
in frigid tone.
"The announcement Of my mar.
riage!" she exclaimed.
"You sent II, didn't you? Aren't
you Mrs. Roland Rockford? Have /
am I-?"
"Yes, you have, and you are!" She
sprang up and pointed at the boat
while the wind blew freshly in their
faces. 1T ia coming back" she cried
gleefully. '"The wind has shifted"
1t was no time for James Henry to
think Of penitence. for opposite feel
ings were rampant. She did not try
to escape from arms. nor did she even
pretend she wanted to.
THAT was Nellie Vanston's we'd
ding" she told him as soon as he
would let her say anything coherent
II sent you the announcement. to be
sure, for knew she wanted you to
know she got somebody after all the
book and art talk she wasted on you
And to think you mistook her name
for mine!"
The boats keel scraped on the
gravel at their feet: but they were
slow rowing back. AS they went up
the footpath toward the house James
Henry abruptly paused. "We're en-
I gagged now. aren't we?" he pleaded.
why. suppose So"
II Just wanted TO put II that way Ia
my mother. but-er-" he laughed
sheepishly. truth Is. II was to be
electrocuted for 1t. I can't recall your
name! Actually. I'm in doubt betwixt
Sibyl and Grace"
"You deserve never to hear IT," she
cried.
Mra Cer6o,d vnot than, - tho 6oo,
with both hands outstretched in greet
ing.
Marion Leslie. you dear!" she mur
INJURED.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure News.
paper Syndicate)