Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-25

pccting some one, II lady, one that
am very fond of. but am afraid that
she has disappointed me. Won't you
'akc her place."
'1Thank YOU" si.. said simply and
slid into the seat.
When | poured her some of the tea
and offered her such food rs was avail
able she accepted everything and ate
with mcmbarrasscd appetite. 1t may
sound unromantic to say that we salts
fled our hunger without conversation,
but remember that there had been
many hours when talk had been our
only substitute for food. Tootles had
some of everything, including tea,
Which proves to my mind conclusivcly
that she isn't Il regular dog. But no
more Of that.
Il III sorry my viS-a-viS said at last,
leaning forward with her chin resting
on the backs of her claspcd hands, "I'm
sorry to he sitting in the place of
some one else whom YOU would prefer
to have here" Then she added, with
little sigh, THAT is, if you would
prefer some one else"
L would and l wouldn't" l smiled.
Il am trying TO imagine that you are
She"
I'm thcSc-in this coStumc?"
ut is difficult to imagine her dressed
rs YOU are, but not impossible. l ad-
nit, though, that ii would he easier to
picture you in her dress than her in
yours"
"Why did she not Gomez"
IL have diSplcascd her"
III she has been angry it must be
that she forgot for the moment how
brave YOU are and how kind"
"Shc said she never wanted to sec
me again."
"And YOU said YOU would never enter
her house again. Yet YOU broke your
word when she was in danger, and she
was very glad 10 see YOU indeed" She
reached across the table impulsvcly
and laid her small brewn fingers In
my palm.
What would YOU do in that casc?"
I'D come ana find you," she answer
cd, "and when Ed found YOU, I'd put
my hands in yours, just like this, and
I'd ask your forgiveness for being II
cross, cranky, old maid"
"But she isn't an old maid" l held
her fingers tightly.
"Shc'n he twenty five tomorrow.
She laughed. and if n girl isn't mar
ricd by the time she is twenty-five she
is an old maid"
"Thcn she'll never he an old maid" !
declared, "hrcausc by this time tomor-
row she'll lie marricd--that is" l add
cd, "if she'll accept n stout, middle
aged man for II husband"
'"Thcrc isn't one on this island" she
declared. looking ut me with shining
eyes. you can't claim to he stout
when your belt nearly reaches around
yon twice. Monty" she gave my hand
quick little squeeze. "yourc n dear"
"Will You marry mcT' | asked
"Of course. decided that long ngo
DO YOU suppose I'd let any man see me
In this costume unless he was going to
marry meT'
pulled her toward me.
"EXcusc mo, folks" said voice, ~
hate like the deuce to butt In on the
Sothern and Marlowc stuff and Ger
tainly have enjoyed 1t, but I've got to
make II getaway and | can't do II Bro
die out OF this tree without disturbing
YOU"
We looked up at the anxious face of
Kent peering between the branches.
THAT revenue boat Is coming back
and it's IL cipch they're going to get
me this time If | stick around this
dinky island. I've got to beat it."
He scrambled down.
GLOW can YOU get nway?" l asked
"The launch" he explained briefly
i've been liking her up on the q. t.
this week getting ready for nm cmcr
gcncy. She looks good for fifteen miles
an hour"
sixteen. corrected Lucille.
"All the better then. I'll lose 'cm
out there. don't suppose you two
doves will mind if keep en- so busy
That they amt got time to land Mr.
Bopp for an hour or So He grinncd
Not Bit" ! answered. GOOD
luck"
lie started for the cove. watched
him out of sight
When turned back the bench Cd
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