The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-06-01

-. - !. - mie Travis absorb
his attention with
her Irish wit and fascination. Con.
stance went through an eternity Of
torture before she plucked up courage
to take down her hands, remove her
pumps and slide away.
Soon she was safe out OF sight She
stopped near a swift little brook
where the sunset was mirrored rosily
In the clear water. The stiffness OF
the woods soothed her a little, and
she began to plan how she could find
the others and get home without ac-
cepting Henry's escort. They were
all in pairs, and some one would in
sist on going with her. Jack Manning
had brought Mamie.
Her shoes still in her hand, she sat
down, curling her feet under her, the
thought striking her with shame that
she loved Henry Peyton before he
had spoken of love to heri
AS she sat there she heard crash
In the bushes and in moment Jack
Manning, whom she hated, came
staggering up to her.
"Hellol Guess you and I'll have to
console each other. We seem to be
| deserted" He seated himself beside
her scanning her admiringly with his
bold, dark eyes.
She flushed in distress.
Say little one, I'll take off my
shoes, too, and wen go wading. Is
that what you came for?" She shook
her head.
Il don't like you. Go away Please
I'm tired and want to think"
You can think when you're older
and not so pretty. Thinkings no job
for beauty--come. console me for
Mamie. She wouldn't mind consoling
a fellow
Constance jumped up, snatching her
shoes. and ran away from him as fast
as she could. 1t was growing dusk
and she was timiG-indeed deathly
afraid, but of him more than OF a.
whole lonely forest. He looked after
her a moment, bit off the end Of a
fresh cigar and muttered to himself:
Turned down, eh? Went too fast
with her. Is Peyton crazy to forget
peach like that for--Mame?" He lit
his cigar and sauntered of, Finally
he found the others grouped under the
trees preparing to go home.
Presently Henry brought Mamie
back, the girl sober-faced, her eyes a
little red, but the man was very quiet.
Where's Constance?" he demanded.
Mrs. Turner, the chaperon. did not
know.
Il think you're the one to know"
she remarked, significantly, "and it's
getting dark. Better look for her
| saw her go off by herself" Henry
strcde off.
A half hour later in the deep dusk,
thoroughly alarmed. he was still
searching He called her name aloud,
but she did not answer What had
become Of her? His heart failed him.
Why had he left her even a moment?
Why had he bothered to save a girl
like Name from her own undoing IL
she wanted to play with Manning till
good chap like Thorne was sick OF
! ner-it was her business.
Constance he called. "Connie!"
Then going around big tree, he came
upon her white little figure huddled
against the trunk. Her hands in her
absurd fashion we're over her ears.
She was crying softly. He rushed UP
to her, taking down her hands and
| uL.,.,~x - n MI f~rlv,, choor roIiof ~
find her safe
"Connie-dariingi you frightened
me to deathl What made you hide?"
He drew her toward him. but she
freed herself firmly. shaking her head.
"Constancel You-know / love
you. didn't intend to tell you yet
but it's ont now Don't you-care for
me at all?"
You ere-malring to her
under a tree--I saw--but / didn't
listen"
The man laughed and again drew
her to him despite herself.
Making love to Mamie Travis7 I'm
not fool. was lecturing her within
an inch of her life about that scamp
| Manning! Perhaps she was not worth
it-but I've known her long time"
Constance clung close to him.
He came down to the brook and
bothered mel ran away.
I'll settle with him, Connie. But
do you love me, dear7-
She leaned willingly against him
~You-know do,- she said You
know VIII you take me home now7"
He had just tucked her hand under his
arm when the others came looking for
them both. Together they walked to-
ward the trolley line. and the night
was sweet to them.
| Copyright 1914 by the Mcclure rewspe-'
per Syndcate.J