The Press., 1916-11-30


 upon this chase as unexpectedly as she. for he was both hatless and coat less. She put up her hand to smooth her disheveled locks, flushing with embarrassment that her sudden inter- est in aeroplanes should have led her into this peculiar position.
 Never mind," the young man said kindly. "Give me permission and will see you safely home. The streets will be filled with the returning crowd at this time.'
 AS Madge fingered irresolutely a heavy rumbling overhead caused both to look up in apprehension; then with out further warning down came a heavy shower Great sheets of rain swept the garden; it blew in their faces; 1t soaked their rumpled hair;;ll it lay in little pools across the drive way The man caught her hand, draw ing her compellingly toward the house in the background.
 Place seems to have been vacated for the summer he said as they found shelter beneath veranda roof, otherwise you might ask for protec-' ton inside. The best thing under the circumstances for you to do is to wait here while go for an umbrella"
 Madge looked up at him indignantly. Do you think I would be as selfish as that?" she said. Why, you would be drenched before you could reach the. gate"
 The man smiled.
 ."Then we both had better stay where we are for the present. This shower cannot last long,"
 She flashed glance at him as he dropped easily into seat at her side; then, as their eyes met, her laughter rippled merrily.
 Do you know" she said, Il think that in some unaccountable way l. have slipped back to my childhood days. Surely it Is an unusual pro- ceeding for grownup to go racing, about chasing big balloon with
 "A big boy" the man finished laugh ingl;. He bent over her. Let us keep up the game for awhile" he said impulsively. "One is not often priv ileged to return to the happy hours of childhood. Now, when I was a kid we became acquainted by simply ask ing two questions-'What is your name and where do you liver"
 Every we'll" Madge agreed demure. ly. What Is your name. little boy, and where do you live?"
 "My name," the young man answered yravcly. .'is Thomas Westinghouse Chalmers. generally known as Tommy. and I live on Beechwood avenue.''
 The girls eyes widened. "Why, so. To IT, she exclaimed.
 Your number?'' Tommy asked ca :crly.
 Two hundred forty-four. And ,ourS?'' :
 We are neighbors-nearn neighbors," the young man answered delightedly Mother ana I moved recently into the house directly across from yours."
 "Really?" said Madge. How very strange that we should meet in this er-infOrmal manner"
 Isn't it?" said Thomas Westinghouse Chalmers. His eager eyes sought hers. Tt will not be our last meeting if | can help it," he added fervently.
 The sun had removed all trace of the shower when he finally stood at the entrance of Madge's home bidding her reluctant goodby. Then as he reach ed the gateway he slowly retraced his steps. 4
 "I have q confession to make" he began diffidently. Please pardon a poor. lonely sinner. You see, I knew that you lived in this house all along. Fact Is spend most of my time just looking over here-and-and 1t was my overwhelming desire to know you which prompted me to deliberately fol low you this afternoon
 AIadge looked up at him, gently ac- cusing. Then her lips curved into an inscrutable little smile. "I knew that you followed me-" she replied. q hoped you would when I started"
 And when her family returned later. damp and weary after tiresome wait, because of overcrowded cars, they found that young lady calm and serene rocking to and fro on the veranda.
 You were wise to remain at home, my dear" her mother said. "for gazing at airships Is but foolish pastime."
 Madge's eyes shone dreamfly. "I think it's lovely one," she said.
 How Madge made the acquaintance of the young man who had moved into the house opposite none of her fonily could find out. The rest of it was plain enough. He called, he sent her flowers. he took her out to ride in his ear, he proposed to her and was accepted, but until Madge, as his wife, entered the place and took possession no one knew how she had angled it and caught it on her hook when, the rest of them were gazing skyward.