The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-02-25

edged book. He played tennis with
May and listened to her music be-
meath a ravishing moon. 1t was
like stepping from the pages of his
novels. Jean alone moved on the out
side, derisive and baffled in turn. At
times she caught glimpses of the man
beneath the mask. But he would
spoil it all minute later.
eff he'd only be himself" she would
exclaim, and was aghast at the
thought which followed.
Each night Mrs. Wilcox would
whisper to her daughters. HAS he
said anything?"
To which both would blushingly re-
ply: Not yet: But l shan't be
surprised if tomorrow"
1t was always tomorrow. At the
end of fortnight dean felt decided
ly veXed.
! "What is his game?" she fumed, as
she sat on the back porch at twilight,
looking over berries for breakfast.
SIS he laughing up his sleeve and in
cidently gathering material for nov
ell? Or is he enjoying himself as
much as he pretends? If he is, why
on earth doesn't something take
place." Then, as a sudden thought
flashed over her, she dropped her
hands in her lap. "Why!" she gasp
ed, perhaps he's in love with them
both!"
care you always busy?" Out of
the twilight floated familiar voice,
and the next moment Perry Spaulding
stood before her, big and tall and
wonderfully handsome. For an in
slant Jean almost wished she were
Evelyn ro May and that the world
was novel in print. Then, recall
ing her checkered apron and the
: stained condition Of her fingers, she
caught herself up with start. She
was forever spelling family impress
) sions. Hadn't she blurted in the day
of his arrival in just such a costume
as this? And here she was again
Perhaps it was her fault that he hao
done no proposing. Perhaps he was
: unwilling to unite himself to family
, which possessed so ungraceful !
! member-one who had no beauty, nc
, gifts, who could do nothing more ar
tlstic than turn out a delicate cake OIL
superintend the running of a house
f Sne had frequently felt his eyes up
en- her. Now she understood theil
peculiar light. She had been yer!
8 careful after her first blunder Il
keep out of his way, to hide from
p him, who loved only the beautiful ant
t romantic, her daily round Of homell
. tasks. And here she sat on the door
step looking over berries!
D Where are the girls? ?" she asked
/ anxious to uphold the plastic dignity
4 of the family, yet hating to send hin
, off. "Where are Evelyn and May?'
=. Il don't know" he said unconcern
eddy, and sat down on the steps a
a her feet. MAY l stay here?" he in
|. CURED.
e "Why-why, certainly" she gasp
n ed.
: "Do you mind if l smoke?" HI
d queried, flashing her one of his rar'
smiles.
: "Oh, no, not at ALL" she fluttered
4 amazed and wondering.
:. Perry Spaulding drew from hi.
;. pocket-not a scented, gold-mono
s grained cigarette, such as his heroe!
+ gracefully inhaled-but an old sweet
: brier pipe, one as shabby and worr
as Joe's. Jean watched him, fas
" cinated, and, as with a little con
v tented chuckle he flung away thu
q match and leaned back against thu
$ trelliswork she caught in her breath
t He didn't seem bit like book
e hero now. He seemed just man
an ordinary, everyday man, sprawle'
out before her, graceful, at rest. IL
: the dim light his face was almos
d boyish-gray eyes smiling up at hers
:. lips parted above the stem of TIL
:. pipe, hair wind-tossed. Jean ben
r toward him as if drawn by a subtl
!, spell. Then, swiftly recollecting, sh'
}. sat upright. She had no bushes!
- here. She had no part whatsoevel
in the game Of romance making. Sh'
might spoil everything-sitting OF
: the back steps with the hero of tn,
: hour, wearing a kitchen apron, anC
a berry stins on her face and hands
More than ever before she hated tn,
r game they were playing
= "I'd better 90 in" she murmered
e making a move toward the door.
: please don't he begged, putting &
hand to the hem of her apron. "Please
: stay"
= Jean sat down and stared stiffly
before her. What should she do !
: Inclination babe her linger, but pru.
, dence whispered, "Retire."
D go on" he said, motioning at the
= bowl in her lap. Il like to watch
: you"
: Panicky, Jean dipped her fingers
: in the berries and fast and furiously
l hulled away.
LET me help you," said Perry, ed.