Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-22

| Gerry's face was white and stern. Put
| one hand on my shoulder and kick with
your feet" he said. ''Ill tow you to
shore"
Put me on Hidden Rock" said Alix.
81 prefer to wait for boat"
1T will take an hour for boat to get
| here" answered Gerry. I'm going to
| tow you in. II you say another word |
shall slap you again.
In a dead silence they plowed slowly
| to shore and when Gerry found bottom
he stood up, took Alix into his arms and
strobe well up the bank before he set her
| down.
During the long swim she had had time
to think. but not to forgive. She stamped
her sodden feet, shook out her skirts and
then looked Gerry up and down Gerry
with his crisp light hair: blue eyes, wide
apart and well open, and six feet of we'll
proportioned bulk was good to look at.
but AliN's angry eyes did not admit IT,.
| They measured him scornfully, but il
was not the look that hurt him so much
as the way she turned from him with n
little shrug of dismissal and started along
the shore for camp.
Gerry reached out ard caught hold of
her arm. She swung around, her face
quite white. II see" she said in low
voice. you want it now"
Gerry held her with his eyes. yes"
he answered, 81 want 1t now
why did you yell at me to jump into
your horrible boat?'
"I took you for Nance"
You took me for Nance" repeated
AllX with a mimicry and In a tone that
left no doubt as to the fact that she was
in a nasty temper.
''And why" she went on. her eyes
blazing and her slight figure trembling.
did you strike me-slap me across the
face"
Because 1 love you." replied Gerry
steadily.
"oh! gasped Alix. Her gray-slate eyes
went wide open In unfeigned amazement
and suddenly the tenseness that is the
essence of attack went out of her body,
Instead of a self-possessed and very
angry young woman she became her
natural self-a girl fiutteTing before her
first really thrilling situation.
There was something so childlike in her
sudden transition that Gerry was moved
out OF himself. For once he was not slow
He caught hold of her and drew her to-
wards him.
But Alix was not to be plucked like a
ripe plum. She freed herself gently but
firmly and stood facing him. Then she
smiled and with the smile she gained the
upper hand. Gerry suddenly became
awkward and painfully conscious Of his
bare arms and legs. He felt exceptionally
naked.
When did II beginY' murmured Allx.
"WhatY' said Gerry.
IT." said Alix. ''When-hoW long have
you loved me?"
Gerry's face turned a deep red, but he
raised his eyes steadily 10 hers. 1T be-
gan" he said simply. when l took you
in my arms and you laid your face
against my shoulder and cried hke-like
a little kid"
OH said AK again and blushed In
her turn. She had lost the upper hand
and knew IL. GeFry's arms went around
her and this time she raised her face and
let him kiss her.
Now" she said as they started for the
camp. II suppose l must call you Gerry"
Yes" said Gerry solemnly. And /
shall call you Little Miss Ohr'
So casual an engagement might easily
have come to casual end. but Gerry
Lansing was quietly tenacious. once
moved he stayed moved. No woman had
ever stirred him before; he did not
imagine that any other woman would
ever stir bin again.
To Alix. once the shock OF finding hsr-
self engaged vas passed. came fuu
realization ana : certain amount OF level
headed ealculr toe. She knew herself to