Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-01-27
CHAPTER Nv.
A Crisis

A Crisis
The following afternoon young Mer-
rol met her riding in the park. In
spite of his great surprise at the
sight of her she realized that he prob
ably conducted widespread search
of the bridle-paths before he had come
upon her. And she scowled disap-
provingly.
els this the way you keep COM
pacts?" she asked.
He looked offended.
"Didn't we expect chance meet
ings?"
"Do you mean to consider this a
chance meeting?"
81 ride in the park; I meet you,"
he said, falling beside her. "Was
I sure of meeting you? Did 1 know
what time you would ride or whether
you would ride at all? You didn't
yesterday.
Yesterday was wretched; to-day is
fine" She looked at his mount. "How
long have you been riding?"
"Some time," he admitted innocent
ly.
$50 / should judge
He smiled at her engagingly.
"IIl go you through the park and
up the drive to Clermont for tea"
"You'll turn right around and leave
me-"
"Leave you?" he cried, astonished.
"After carefully meeting you acci-
dentally? After our compact"
She smiled.
He did sit horse beautifully, and
he looked exceptionally we'll in riding
things. She decided to take him up
and seize the opportunity, over tea,
to explain that she had misled him
and that she was Sedgewich Morris's
wife.
every WE'LL" she said; "I'll go you.
But there are to be no more accidental
meetings in the park hereafter. Now
you know what time ride, and if you
meet me it will be by design"
"You are the hardest girl to know
I've ever met" he answered, aggriev-
ed. "There's no pleasing YOU"
+ "You are absolved of trying" said
she. = ".".-. go.
He made no answer, so after wait
ing an instant she guided her horse
into canter, and they went briskly,
Gerry in front, young Merrol close
behind her.
The air was crisp, dry, cold. The
sun was shining. The ground was
white with yesterdays snow. They
followed the path to the Seventy-Sec-
ond Street entrance and crossed o
the drive. 1t was colder there-a
sharp wind blowing in from the river.
They quickened their gait, making
Clermont in good time, both in glow
from the run. A table overlooking
the river was made ready for them,
and they ordered tea.
"You are infinitely lovelier with
color in your cheeks" he said medita-
lively.
"Do you make habit of saying
such things to women so bluntly?" she
asked curiously.
''To be quite truthful, yes. l no.
tice they're usually more pleased than
offended" he answered frankly. "But
/ don't always mean them. l meant
that"
''Indeed! And am | more pleased
than offended, do you Think"
EYES," he answered calmly; 81 do
think you are"
She smiled at him, amused.
"What makes you think so?"
"There are lightning flashes in your
eyes when you are angry. There
aren't any now. They are all soft
and deep and mysterous-like a
stormy sky
"Your impetuous, imprudent tongue
will get you into trouble some day.
she said.
"Don't you believe in telling the
truth ?" he asked.
Eyes; but there's no reason why
you should say things better left un-
said"
"Why are they better left unsaid ?
Don't you know what the craving for
expression is? 1t is the rule of life.'
81 thought you wanted to be my
friend 2" she said.