The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-07-04

one would suspect that they lead up to
q cable. Kirkland did not analyze the
connection between the silken strands
in his pocket and the couture on the
girls head. But it existed all the
while. and she had intended that II
should exist. Mind you. 1 don't say
that she laid down a definite plan OF
procedure. She did it by, that uncon'
scious genius for such work which is
Unborn in womankind. At any rate.
without that lock OF hair and its senti-
mental connection with the couture
there is no reason to suppose that Kirt-
land would have hunted all over the
room for some one who could introduce
him to the girl concerning whom this
sentiment existed.
He inquired who she was and was
told that she was a Miss Birney-Miss
Edith Birney. But this did not con-
vey any information to him. as 1t might
have done had he not been stupidity
blind. They say love is blind. That
must refer to the'man.
He found the introducer and was re-
ceived by the girl with reserve He
danced with her once: then she sug-
gested that. the air III the room being
close. she would like a few minutes on
the veranda. Standing there looking
down on the narrow water leading out
into the ocean on which he had been
rowing that day. Kirkland was remind
ed Of his find and spoke of it to his
companion.
"How sad::" she said feelingly. do
you suppose all N board went DOWN."
II am not certain whether 1t was a
shipwreck or uue of those messages
that persons are always throwing into
the water to make fools of the find
ers."
Have you heard Of any ship being
lost?" she asked.
mo: haven't And l don't believe
the bottle was thrown from a sinking
ship at all. If so the name Of the YES
sci would have been given. 1t more
likely was tossed of from some yacht
or other craft. think it must have
been some fool girl did 1t, for it con-
tanned a lock of hair"
The young lady WINGED at this. but
did not betray herself.
Are you a cottager." asked Kirt-
land. ''or do y0u stop at a hotel?"
"a cottager. That's our cottage over
there where the inlet joins the ocean,"
Indeed. often pull by there on my
way outside"
do you?"
"Yes: usually when it's calm on the
ocean. Il think l will be able to 60
out tomorrow morning"
IF I happen to be about and e you
I'll wave to you"
Then they went inside and danced
together. and somehow no one attempt
ed to take the girl away from Kirt-
land, and Kirkland didn't seem to want
to get away from the girl. He kept
looking at her light hair. tinged with
yellow. and thinking Of its counter
part in his pocket. and the more he
thought abont it the more a peculiar
feeling grew within him that he did
not seek to analyze. but found very
pleasant. When the two separated
the spider had got the fly inside the
outer. web. and the next move would
be to ask him to walk into her parlor.
This second part came the next day.
Kirkland pulled by the house out to
sea. but looked in vain for the girl who
lived there. However. when he pulled
back she was down at the private land
ing. pretending to engage herself with
the boats. Kirkland pulled in to the
landing. The girl looked surprised. but
pleased. and invited him to the house
for q glass Of wine and a biscuit.
Kirkland. being in boating costume.
declined the Invitation. %whereupon the
young lady suggested that the refresh.
ments could be served in the summer
house. At this he accepted. and the
two walked up to the place in question.
He found q very dainty and at the
same time comfortable stopping place
There were easy wicker chairs, q Ia
BILE with books and magazines In It
and q hammock. II the 6y" had re-
allied how he was being entangled
doubtless the words Of the rime would
have occurred to him
It's the prettiest little parlor that ever
you did p J.
It Is useless to follow this spider and
ny process any further. The main
work had been done. the dy being in
the parlor. And It is to be supposed
that the girl who had the ingenuity to
get him there would have no difaculty
in keeping him. The rest required
time. but 1t was dead easy. Kirkland
went back to business not knowing
whether he was on his heels or his
head. He had proposed to Miss Birney
and was told that she must have some
time to consider. She took time
enough to drive him to the border Of
despair, but not over Il.
One day BOON after their marriage
Mr.. Kirkland 6shed q lock OF very
light hair out Of her husbands pocket.
AAFrYh-AA 49, a---Ase4 -aAA