Judsonia weekly advance., 1915-11-03
CLEARING THE COAST
By FAITH ROBINSON.

standing.
 Poor old boy" she said. And I did want him to come so much"
 Who, Anne?"
 "Fennimore Diggs."
 There came a sudden movement from the hammock. Bab threw her DOCK across the veranda and sat bolt upright, eyes sparkling, color rising in her vivid, changeable, young face.
 When did he corae back?"
 "oh, lately, I believe," her sister answered with a sigh. Do you feel like having a storm on the spot over it, Bab"
 Beb sat irresolute and mute for the moment.
 T wish the world were not round ," she exclaimed passionately. They never go away forever. They just go round and come back again. They ought to tumble off the edge"
 My dear Bab," said Mrs. Law. renee firmly, and in her very best elder sister style, q don't see why ycu should feel anything at all over Fenn's return. He's nothing at all to you. You threw him over without the least provocation."
 That's nice thing to say: a nice. loyal thing, Anne, when you know the whole circumstances. He didn't even deny that he had visited at the Ray. monds the same time she was there"
 They were only tacitly engaged. and 1t was four years ago when he came cut of college. Any girl with any charm at all and tact can make a col. lege boy propose to her. They simply beg you to encourage them, and she really was very pretty, Bab.'
 T hate her, Bab declared with dig. nifty to the adjacent atmosphere. q had no idea that you would invite him either while I was staying here. But if you really want him so much, Anne. shall go straight over to Olives and stay with her till your house party is over'
 And all Anne's coaxing availed not. She would go, and Olive welcomed her gladly, sympathetically. They had been chums at Bryn Mawr to- gether, and debutantes together.
 She knew the whole affair over Fen. nimore; had even known the girl Marion Wallace.
 And, dear, she's married perfect old mummy with oodles of cash and five grown children. So if she had cared for Fenn, she could have had him, when you broke the engage ment"
 If Fenn had wanted her." Bal corrected tearfully. 'I'n afraid I'd be little idiot and forgive him the mia ute he asked me-"
 Maybe he wouldn't ask you goosie."
 Bab flushed, her dark eyes wide an, indignant.
 Yes he would, too. He never gives up.''
 Sunday morning she slept unti seven. Dressed in a pink chiffon morning negligee, with pink lace cap, laced edge, she stepped down stairs and out on the veranda with out warning before Fennimore, drink ing his second cup of coffee leisurely with Olive.
 T want to speak to Murray just 8 minute, please" Olive said hurriedly, setting the cup down. "Bab. dear, will you pour for me?"
 Ba5 took her seat with ominous si lence. Then slowly, almost perforce, she raised her lashes and met Fenn's eyes full of suppressed enjoyment oi the situation.
 You did this on purpose she said haughtily.
 T did not. didn't know you were here."
 T left Anne's so she might have you at her house party
 Most sweet and thoughtful of you I came here so that you might stay with Anne without fear of my com pany."
 Silence. Bab poured herself a cur of coffee.
 You look adorable, Bab. If yor had expected me you could not have dressed prettier, dearie"
 Ddp eyeDrOWS raised slightly.
 "Is this necessary"
 Very. I only have two minutes and you'll escape me. You may ever make getaway in the car before can stop you. Bab, do you really want to escape from me?"
 Bab hesitated. The old wooinf charm of his voice swept over hel again. She closed her eyes to keeI from looking at him. And slowly ths tears came. How could you go there when yo, knew she was there?" she said. "Af ter-after you had been engaged te her.''
 T never loved her.
 You must have asked her to mar ry you. You must have kissed her often. And you always call her Ma rion."
 'Bab, listen to me. Stop that cry ing" He held her hands closely. "A boy of twenty does foolish things Let's thank God l didn't marry her We'd have been wretched and in the court long ago. l want you for life