The Delta independent., 1915-07-02

many miles of city pavements. and
after that, when the gas was lit, he
turned, still insatiably hungry, to
volumes of history. and algebra. and
facts.
A sloop-rigged boat with a crew of
two was dancing before brisk breeze
through blue Bermuda water. on to
the right Hamilton rose sheer and
colorful from the bay. At the tiller
sat the white-clad figure of Adrienne
Lescott. Puffs of wind that whipped
the faulty bellying sheets lashed her
dark hair about her face. Her lips,
vividly red like poppy petals, were
just now curved into an amused smile,
which made them even more than Or
diparily kissable and tantalizing. Her
companion was neglecting his nominal
duty OF tending the sheet to watch
her.
"Wilfred." she teased, "your con-
trast is quite startling-and. in way,
effective. From head to foot you are
spotless white-bnt your scowl is alb
solutely the blacklist black that our
eyes endure And" she added in an
injured voice. I'm sure I've been very
nice to you"
II have not yet begun to scowl," he
assured her, and proceeded to show
what superlatives of saturnine express
sion he held in reserve. See here,
Drennie, I know perfectly we'll that
I'm a sheer imbecile to reveal the fact
that you've made me mad. 1t pleases
you too perfectly. 1t makes you hap
pier than is good for you. but"
TITS a terrible thing to make me
happy. isn't it?" she inquired. sweetly.
"Drennie. you have held me OF since
we were children. believe first an
nounced my intention of marrying you
when you were twelve. That intention
remains unaltered. More: 1t il unal-
terable and inevitable. My reasons
for wanting to needn't be rehearsed.
1t would take too long. I regard you
as possessed of an alert and remark
able mind-one worthy OF companion
ship with my own" Despite the friv-
olous badinage of his words and the
humorous smile of his lips, his eyes
hinted at an underlying intensity.
With no desire to flatter or spoil you,
| find your personal aspect pleasing
enough to satisfy me. And then, while
a man should avoid emotionalism,
am in love with you" He moved over
to a place in the sternsheets, and his
face became intensely earnest. He
dropped his hand over hers as 1t lay
on the tiller shaft. God knows, dear"
ha ad 7
Her eyes, after holding his for a mo-
ment, fell to the hand which still i'm
prisoned her own. She shook her
head, not in anger. but with a man.
ner of gentle denial, until he released
her fingers and stepped back.
You are u dear. Wilfred." she COM
forted. "and couldn't manage to get
on without you. but you aren't mar.
riageable-at least, not yet"
why not?" he asked.
I'm the fret place. you are one Of
those men whose fortunes are listed
In the top schedule-the swollen for
predatory class"
"Drennie," he groaned. Its not my
fault that I'm rich. It was wished on
me. II you are serious. I'm willing
to become poor as Jobs turkey. Show
me the way to strip myself. and Ill
stand shortly before you begging
aim"
ITO what end?" she questioned.
Poverty would be quite inconvenient
I shouldn't care for It. But hasn't It
ever occurred to you that the man
who wears the strongest and brightest
mail. and who by his own confession
is possessed Of an alert brain. ought
occasionally to be seen in the lists?"
In short, your charge is that l am
a Sutherland. since it's the same
thing, a coward?"