The Detroit times., 1916-03-04


She recognized him instantly. u
was not that he was handsome
though In his dark, rugged way ne
was very pleasant 10 lcok upon.
saw she recoguized him. but that is
mot exactly the way she put II 10
herself. II was the mutual spark
struck by that FIRST casual meeting
eve 10 eye that thrilled her with us
Exquisite finality.
He vas agent for the Seayiew vii
ilas and she was down for the day To
select a cottage. She never quite
knew how she got through with the
commonplace details Of her business.
The httie branch ONCE over which
he presided was only = block from
the cottage she selected and the pos
sibilities this promixity presented
offered food for her dreams until she
returned with her fanlily-father.
mother. and Younger brother.
He met them az the station an
again that deep meaning look pass
ed between them. And what deli
cate tribute to her was his solici-
tude over the comfort of her invalid
mother
When he told them 10 let him
know il anything vas lacking in their
tiny Quarters she felt the personal
undertone beneath the ordinary
business courtesy. She had LAUGHED
nervously as she told him IL was
very handy TO have him SO near 10
bother. but he grsyely assured her
that during business hours IL was a
pleasure 10 attend 10 the comforJ OF
his tenants
ON the way 10 the beach she had
10 pass his ONCE and he never failed
to see her. She smiled al the NUM-
erous and obviously fimsy excuses
he manufactured 10 come 10 the cot
tage or TO the little court on which
il faced. Never BY spoken word did
either Of them prolsne the beautiful
thing thar had sprung from the
waves OF that first mutual regard.
The third evening re passed as
she Was sweeping CT the steps. She
had prepared fo- this emergency by
dressing herself like a stage milk
maid
We'll. this is 4 squirt OF energy for
YOU" he had smilingly commented.
as IL he were familiar with all her
moods and thoughts. You are real
ly looking better already"
Better. She had not known be-
fore that she was ever in anything
except perfect health. but she took
the cue offered. oh, I am much
better. This air Is so invigorating.
[ feel ike a fishting cock now"
do many people come here in
winter" she inquired. merely TO
keep him talking
More than you'd think Those !
people IN tha. house are going TO
stay until January and the one back
OF you g taken for December. It's
great here then Can't be beat !
You could have one OF the cottages ,
with a fireplace, and you'd sure !
never get sore at yourself" His
eyes petitionei. implored and plead |
ed. How could che tell him that a |
soulless, grubbing husband awaited |
her at home and would finance only !
a month Of this heaven for her? Sh.
simply couldn't. Perhaps-well. she
would drift with the tide and let TO-
MORO. take care OF itself.
That night when she started din |
ner her mother called out TO her:
Wanda Cook ME some onions. | |
have feeling for something tasty"
Onions Her delicate nostrils d.
lated scornfully, her sombre eyes
darkcned. In her former state OF un.
regeneracy she had actually liked
the sbouinable bulb. But now. Sh,
shuddered as she replied: 81 can't
tonight ma The smell turns ny
stomach"
The next morning about II o'clock
there came a tap AT the door. Her
heart gave a hop as she opened IL
so HN"NA NANAN H0 oue HNal LtII ne
would.
Here is that screen you wanted
he commenced fatty, his eyes de.
vouring her.
She took r. silently. though she
had not asked for screen. and he
knew 1t. What mattered the excuse?
She would have liked 10 dispense
with all these silly subterfuges. His
hungry eyes seeraed to be asking
asking: Was she Away 70 be so
colCly circumspect? What question
was IL that haunted him. gave 10 his
burning eyes a pathos unbearable,
Did he fear 10 put her TO the test
Perhaps--
His voice, deep. sympathetic. bur
totally inadequate TO reach the stan
dard set by his eyes, broke IN upon
her thoughts and made her turn
upon him took OF stupened sur.
prise, You're not ;he lady who vas
sick, are YOU" Just that.
My mother" sue said.
Funny, aint II? I got you Two
mixed up. thought YOU looked
pretty healthy 10 be trundled abou.
In a baby carriage. Well, 20 long.
Let me know II you need anything
II