The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-05-13

him unbounded loyalty and admiration,
but he had never been deceived. He
knew that Mrs. Primrose lied as she
breathed-politely, but continuously
by her involuntary muscles. Day and
night since they had reached New
York she had schemed for Nan.
She had leased a house In the fash
ionable neighborhood of Gramercy
park, and to meet the extraordinary
expense began careful and systemat-
ic search for rich young men to whom
she could let two floors.
Stuart was sure in his heart that Nan
had never joined in those plans Of her
mother, though he had wished that she
might have shown little more
strength in resisting them.
Well, he was going to win at last
and the world was full of music! He
had the biggest surprise of life in
store for Nan, something no true wo-
mans heart could resist. He had sue
ceeded after incredible difficulties in
secretly building a cottage by the sea
in Brooklyn. Its lawn sloped to the
waters edge. and q trim boat lay nod
ding at the dock. Neither Mrs. Prim-
rose nor Nan had the faintest suspi-
cion of what he had been doing.
Tomorrow he would lead his sweet
heart into this holy of holies of life,
the home love had built. He could see
now the smile Of tenderness break
over her proud face as he should hand
her the keys and ask her to fix the
wedding day.
His reveries were broken by a timid
knock on the door and faint call:
"Jim~
"Come in!' he cried.
You're not bit glad to see me-"
the soft voice said. "I've been stand
ing out there for ages"
"Forgive me, Sunshine. must have
been dreaming" Stuart pleaded, leap
ing from his seat and seizing her hand.
I'm awfully glad to see your
'Then don't call me that name
again." she pouted.
'But isn't it beautiful"
at would be If my hair wasn't red
and l didn't have freckles and was
older" she protested, looking away to
hide her emotion.
"But your hair isn't quite red, Har-
riet It's just the color of the gold
in honeycomb," he answered, gently
touching her disheveled locks. "Be-
sides. those few little freckles are be-
coming on your pink and white skin,
and you are nearly fifteen. Well, I'll
just say, little pail How's thatT'
'"That's better" she said, with a
smile and sigh.
"Oh, Jim, I've been so dreadfuliy
lonely since you were away! de-
clare, Jim, I'll die If you go away
again. just can't stand it."
Stuart smilingly took her hand.
LONELY, Miss Chatterbox, when that
big father of yours worships the very
ground you walk on"
Eyes, know he does, Jim, and love
him, too, but you've no idea how
dreadfully still the house is when you
are gone. Oh, say, 1 want you to be
a real boarder and eat with us. OF
course you will"
'That would be very nice, dear, but
I'm sure your father would draw the
line at real boarder. I'd never have
got this beautiful room with that
big old fashioned open fireplace in your
home If 1t hadn't happened that our
fathers fought each other In the war
and became friends one day on a big
battlefield. It's been a second home to
me-"
'Be our boarder and I'll mako 1t q
real home for you, Jim," she pleaded.
"Ah-you'n be making a real home
some day for one Of those boys I saw
at your birthday party-the tall, dark
one, l thinkT'
mo. He doesn't measure up to my
standard"
"What ails himT'
Hes a coward. Ny hero must be
brave, for I'm timid."
''Then it will be that fat blond fellow
with jolly laughT"
'No; he's a fibber. My prince, wher
he comes, must be truthful. It's Sc
hard for me always to tell the truth"
'Then 1t will be that dreamy look
ing one of fifteen you danced with
twiceY'
"No, he's too frail. Ny hero must be
strong, for I am weak. And he must
have big, noble ideal of life; for mine
is very small-just a little home nest
and baby and the love of one manr
I'm not sure about that being such
a very small ideal, grille"
"But. oh, my! I've forgotten what
came running home for. Papa sent me
to ask you to please come down to the
factory right away. He wants to BEE
you on very important matter. II