Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-22

but little Miss Blythe looked serenely up
.! never saw such fellow as you, Bob"
said she, for putting other people under obli
cations. When l think Of the weight of my
personal ones l shudder." She smiled inno
Gently, and looked up into his face. when
people can't pay their debts they have to go
through bankruptcy, don't they? And then their
debts all have to be forgiven"
Mr.. Blagdon felt as If an Icy cold hand had
been suddenly laid upon the most sensitive part
Of his back; but his expression underwent no
change.
lessly always pay what they can on the dol
lar"
Presently he stroled away, easy and non.
chalant; but inwardly he carried load Of
dread and he clearly that he must learn
where he stood with little Miss Blythe or not
know the feeling Of easiness from day to
the next.
The next day, there being some dozens OF
people almost in earshot. Mr.. Blagdon had an
opportunity to speak to little Miss Blythe.
Under the circumstances. the last thing che
pected was declaration; they were In full
view of everybody; anybody might stroll UP
and interrupt So what Mr. Blagdon had to say
came to her with something the effect OF sud.
den thunder from a clear sky
Phyllis" said he, you have been look;
about you since you seventeen VIII
/ do?"
"Oh. Bob" she protested
IL have tried to do" said he, not without
fine ring Of manliness. Have made good?"
She smiled bravely, and looked as nonchal-
ant as possible; but her heart was beating
heavily
"Ive liked being good friends-so much" she
said Don't spoil It,"
81 tell her." said he, chat in all the world
there is only the gir-only the one And
she says-'Don't spoil IT."
"Bob"-
81 will make you happy" he said.
HAS 1t never entered your dear head that some
time you must give me an answer?"
She nodded her dear head, for she was very
honest
II suppose So" she said.
Well" said he.
I'm my mind" she said. ri have never been
able to give you the same answer twice.
"a decision is expected from u.s." said he.
People are growing tired OF our long backing
and filing"
People! Do they matter?"
yes. I suppose they do. Let me off for now,
Bob nHcnle arc looking at us.''--
Il wa / an answer"
But she would not be coerced.
You shall have one. but not now. I'm not
sure what 1t will be-"
sure?"
Yes. Give me two weeks. will think about
nothing else"
Thank YOU" he said. 1.-TWO weeks. ~
That will be full moon. I. l will ask all
Aiken to picnic in the woods weather permit
ting and-and If your answer is to be
and say. 'Bob-driye me home will your"
And If it's the other answer. Bob?"
He smiled in his usual, bantering way.
IF it's the other Phys-why-y ou-you can
walk home"
She laughed joyously. and he laughed. just
as II nothing but what was light and amusing
was in question between them.
Along the Whiskey Road nearly the whole
floating population Of Aiken moved on horse
back or on wheels. Every fourth fifth run
about carried a lantern; but the presence in
the long, wide-gapped procession Of nthor
vehicles or equestrians denoted ,nly by
the sounds OF voices. Half dozen family
squabbles half dozen firtations (Which would
result in family squabbles). and half dozen
genuine romances were moving through the
sweet smelling dark to Mr.. Bob Blagdons pic
mic in Red Oak Hollow Only three Of the
guests knew where Red Oak Hollow was. and
two of these were sure that they could only
find 1t by. daylight but the third, a noted
procession, and pretended The was forty-fve
with the heart of child, that he was Buffalo
Bill leading lost wagon train to water.
MIR. Bob Blagdon had preceded his guests by
half an hour. and was already at the scene OF
the picnic. Fate or perhaps the weather
bureau at Washington, had favored him with
Just the conditions he would have wished for.
The night was hot without heaviness; in the
forenoon of that day there had been shower,
Just wet enough to keep the surfaces of roads
from rising in dust. 1t was now clear and be.
starred, and perhaps a shade less dark than
when ne had started.
The guests were not homogeneously dressed.
Some of the men were in dinner clothes: some
were in full evening dress; some wore dinner
coats above riding breaches and boots; some
had come bareheaded. some with hats which
they did not propose to remove. Half the
women were In low neck and short sleeves;
one with short curly hair breeched and
booted like man; others wore what suppose
may be called theatre gowns; and few who
were pretty enough to stand 1t. wore clothes
suited to the hazards of picnic in the woods
Mr.. Blagdon's servants wore his racing
colors, blue and silver. knee breeches black
silk stockings, pumps with silver buckles and
powdered hair. They were picked for
their height. wooden faces and weIl-turned
calves. They moved and behaved as II utterly
untouched and uninterested in their unusual
and romantic surroundings; they were like
inns summoned for the occasion by the rubbing
OF a magic lamp.
At the last moment, when to have been any
later would have been either rude or accidental,
little Miss Blythe's voice was heard calling
from the darkness and asking which of two
roads she should take. Half dozen men
rushed off to guide her. and presently she came
blinking into the circle of light. followed by
Mister Masters, who smiled his crookedest
smile and stumbled on root so that he was
cruelty embarrassed.
Little Miss Blythe blinked at the lights, and
looked very beautiful. She was all in white
and wore no hat. She had red rose at her
throat She was grave for ber-and silent
The truth was that she had during the last
ten minutes made up her mind to ask Mr.. Bob
1aCAn To 1rf,f hapL ,r>e -