The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-25
AMTOIHETTE's KNIGHT
BY KEITH KENYON.

Antoihette DOOk shipped unnoticed
to the floor as her fingers relaxed
their held Her head leaned against
the window frame as she gazed dream
lily down the green vistas of the old
rectory garden.
Hello, girlie!" called a tender
voice, and Antoinettes dream fed as
her lowered glance encountered Bob
by Ortlepp's frank gray eyes. Think
ing of me?" he asked softly as he
stepped under the window.
Antoinette stared at him resentfully.
| Bobby's plain face. rough tweeds
awakening from dreams OF a Sir Gala
had of romantic charm
What's the matter?" asked Bobby
quickly.
oh, nothing only I'm tired of
everything" sighed Antoinette.
Except me- added Bobby. rushing
blindly to his fate.
Antoinette was twisting her engage
ment ring around her slim finger. The
diamond flashed and almost dazzled
Bobby's quick glance.
Except me?' he repeated logged
ly.
| At that moment the ring slipped
from Antoinette's finger, touched the
window sill and then bounded into the
bed OF forgetrme-nots.
"Oh!" cried Antoinette, forced back
into the disagreeable present.
pnhhv,o face orivnaonad op1 fhap
went gray as ashes.
He bent down and searched the for.
get-me-nots for the lost ring. At last
| he found 1t and held 1t toward her.
There was a queer expression in his
honest eyes.
Would you rather not wear 1t
again, Antoinette?"
Antoinette tilted back her head and
an imp OF perversity whispered in her
ear
"Really"-she managed to assume
a slightly bored xpression-"really,
Bobby, | don't especially care"
Very well,' cut in Bobby, turning
on his heels. Good afternoon
He strobe toward the hedged path,
passing the splashing fountain. With
vicious motion of his hand he sent
the sparkling jewel into the air. to fall
and lie hidden in the water that filled
the deep basin
My ring!" gasped Antoinette, star
ing after Bobby's form as he tramped
down the path. He did not turn
around. a
There goes d twentieth century
knight" she laughed shakingly.
Fancy Sir Galahad going off in
pet like that!' oa,.
Bobby did not stay long, dear"
observed the rector as they sat down
at dinner. He was mild-eyed, mild
hammered man, and he quite ap-
proved OF Bobby 'Ortlepp.
Mrs. Carey looked concerned.
Il suppose he had to be at the hos
pital. on time she said.
Hospital" asked Antoinette. go
Ing quite pale for no apparent rea
son.
"Yes-he told you, dear, of course"
"No-o-o," said Antoinette. "He
didn't stay long Is he ill?"
The rector shook his head. NO,
child, but you know young Henry
Blair, the foreman in Bobby's fac.
tory, Is at deaths door with anemia.
As last resort, they are going to
try TRANSMISSION of blood. Bobby of.
fered himself and was accepted. He
came In and told us and then said
he was looking for you. He wanted
to tell you about it,
He didn't say word" said An.
toinette, family. 'Is--is-there any
danger, father?"
Il hardly think so, dear"
rs it to be tonight?" asked An,
toinette timidly.
1t was to be at five o'clock. l
must telephone the hospital and find
out the result" said her father, nm.
ishing his coffee.
Yes, father she said mechanical
ly, and then left the room abruptly.
Antoinette haunted the garden
paths that evening. 1t seemed to her
that no matter which way she went
she saw Bobby's white, unhappy face
as he left her in anger. 1t was all
SO unnecessary too, for she had hrok-
en- her troth only In moment of
caprice.
At last, standing disconsolate be-
sido the fountain, 1t occurred to her
to make an attempt to re-
cover her ring She CROPPED wildly
for the jewel until the sleeve CT her
white gown was drenchec.
At that moment there seemed to
her to be only ono desirable thing in
the world to be acconplished-to re-
cover the ring and restore it to her
finger.
With this thought racing dizzily
through her head, it was small won
der that Antoinette lost her balance
and went plump into the wide basin.
"Girliel" sounded bles sdly famil-
lar voice, and then a st-ong arm
yrasped her scarcely submerged form
md drew her frcm the basin. And
8obby's one serviceable arm managed r
o hold her tightly TO his breast.
I've get IT," she sobbed hysterical-