Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-09-11

Every minute detail of his widest
imaginings respecting her beauty was
SO much more than confirmed that for
moment he could only stand and
stare.
For ono thing. she was younger than
he had believed; she could not have
been more than twenty-nineteen, he
decided. Her complexion wae OF the
velvety, creamy sort, tinted high upon
the cheeks with the faintest rose pink,
that matches nothing as well as hazel
eyes and that beautiful shade OF hair
that is too dark to be red and too light
to be brown, and which novelists have
SO frequently described as Titan that
the word has almost ceased to have
meaning.
But without character the most flaw
less features in the world are like unto
a hollow mask; the girls face was in
stinct with character. with courage and
resolution, the fine hazel eyes aglow
with intelligence under their long dark
lashes. In short, her whole vivid per-
sonality was full OF charm and witch
cry that might well transform to wine
the blood in Youths veins.
This vision, 1t must be understood.
burst upon Tom all at once; he had
no time to linger over details. for in
flash her expressive countenance mir
rored a multitude of emotions, and he
was looking not only into the finest
eyes that had ever met his, but into a
pair of extremely startled eyes as we'll.
Next the girls lips parted. and she re-
coiled with a gasp OF sheer astonish-
ment.
And now must be recorded of Tom
one of the incest things 1t has been
privileged thus far to say OF him; 1t
was really a pity that Van Vechten
could not have been present to ap-
plaud. He looked uncommonly hand.
some and natty in his fresh white-duck
uniform; and his cap. with the anchors
and the words "Kohinur" and Cap
tain" thereon all in heavy gold braid
was very becoming to him. All at
once he became acutely aware OF the
boldness and ardor OF hil gaze, and
lowering his eyes. he whipped of tho
cap and bowed low to the astonished
young lady.
81 told you" said he exultantly, that
| would know you anywhere"
And that one little speech. when she
came to ponder over 1t, would be
found to contain more of genuine com
pliment than he might ever hope to i'm
press upon her in lifetime OF assur.
ances.
She was still too dumfounded. how
ever. to note his words. Her regard
darted from his face to his cap and
uniform and back 10 his face again.
Then, mechanically. she half.turned
away as If she would fee.
But Tom checked this impulse. He
was now standing erect, his arms fold
ed across his broad chest. ono hand
still holding the cap. He smiled and
said easily:
Seems as though I'm always to
scare you. Please don't run away.
Anyhow. stay long enough to tell me
what's so fierce about my looks. Won't
you?"
For a moment longer their eyes held
one another's. hers still alive with be-
wildering amazement; but quickly
these expressions died away. and she
recovered her poise as quickly as It
had been routed. Her cheeks flushed
prettlly. and she laughed.
"You!" she exclaimed. "Of all per-
sons! Captain-Captain Phinney! II
1t isn't the strangest thing-but, no."
she broke off, 1t is not so very re-
markable after all. You"
She stopped with an abruptness that
| passed unnoticed by Tom. Unable
longer TO repress some expression OF
his Joy, however yelled 1t might he.
| he said:
1T is remarkable. though. It's the
| rippingest thing ever heard of-that
| should have found you again, you
/ know-that ] should be standing here
| talking to you. like this.
GRO BE CONTINUEDD