Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-30

OF the Cneek ana CTl1n ana IHe
ness of one small hand which had 81 :
from the rough refuge of the coat sleeve, the
almost boyish slimness revealed by the cling
ing skirt. He found himself going over, word
for word, all she had said, and rehearsing in
memory her graces and gestures. And re-
calling the talk at lunch he suddenly viewed
with notwithstanding dismay those thirty
two years of which he had almost boosted.
The twelve years between his age and hers
seemed like hundred Then he asked him
self why he should care, what it mattered,
and begged the question. He reiterated
modify that it did matter-a lott And
then, twinge of pain jumping through his
supporting shoulder, he groaned aloud, and
the girl stirred. He sat breathless, blaming
himself for the sound that had awakened her,
hoping that she would 60 back to sleep.
But she didn't. She stirred again, shiv-
cred, sighed deeply, and opened her eyes.
Looking down past the edge of her hat, he
saw the look of bewilderment on her face,
which vanished as memory flooded her
sleepy mind Then she raised her head and
looked at him from the heart-stirring dis
lance of a dozen inches. A slow flush crept
into her cheeks, and she moved shyly away.
T GUESS l must have dreamed" she said
sleepily. Il thought l was just waking
up and Susie was coming in with my coffee
and letters" She looked, blinking, at the
us, have they9 And-oh, how selfish I've
been!" Before he could stop her she was on
her feet, pulling off the coat.
"No, no! Please!' he cried. He tried to
stand too; but the first effort came to
naught.
Il will" she said determinedly. Il am
beautifully warm now, and you are abso-
lutely perishing! Why, your lips are blue!'
NONSENSE he chartered, at last getting
to his feet to lay OBTAINING hands on her.
"I'1l be all right as soon as I've moved about
bit. Please keep it, Miss Jefreys. don't
need it. See, I'll build the fire up
Masterfully he pulled the coat back about
her and buttoned it at the throat. you're
to keep it on, he said.
She viewed him doubtfully, then with
little smile. 4My!" she said, @but you're
determined person. I'm glad
"Of what?' he asked, carefully adding
more of the damp twigs to the expiring fire.
But she didn't answer Instead, 3Do you
think they'll come for us pretty soon now?"
she asked.
Bound to. It's after five. You see
Connie knew l was coming over here, and
| if I'm not back by dinner time she'll surely
send out for me. fancy we'll hear boat
mostly any minute now"
The fire Kissed, sputtered, and smoked,
and at length laid hold of the new fuel. 1t
gave out little warmth, but looked cheerful.
Tina held out her hands to it. Horace
slapped his arms and stamped about on the
rock.
Presently, a think he said, 3we'd better
go back to our seat. It's warmer in the
shelter of the rock"
| She assented, and they. sat down again
side by side with their backs to the ledge.
They sat in silence for several minutes,
watching the tiny flames.
THEN, Il wonder she murmured, eff
you'll ever forgive me?"
Forgive you! Why, it wasn't your fault,
was it2' he rallied. 3You didn't bring the
fog, Miss Jeffreys.' 49,. =
1N-no; but" She fell silent again.
IF you'll sit up closer to me, he said
presently, you'll be warmer" He tried to
make the suggestion sound offhand and
casual, but to his own ears at least failed
llamentably.
| After the barest instant of hesitation she
nestled back again. @I-I'm glad it's you, !"
she confided at would be awful if you
were-were a stranger, wouldn't it? Your
being Comics brother makes it rather nice. .
@That and my age he couldn't help say
ing.
4 t,or hfx