The Carlisle independent., 1918-03-07
Copyright. Fraak A. E.unaez oo.l

him from human consideration.
 He unused q moment. sTn do t. he exclaimed. If l don't show up. mHmas the word"
 You can't get away" I reminded him. There's no boat"
 "i forgot to tell you that l am the champion swimmer of the Brooklyn Athletic club think l saw some bathing suits hanging up in the shed With one of those on it will be chIId's play to me"
 Strangely eheered, he let himself out the back way and left me to the si- lence of my clans.
 lefA the clans to their own devices for awhile and went back to the living room. Vida was there idly taking i'm pressions from my seal ring on some soft kneaded rubber that lay on Lu- cile's desk. Lucille herself was not in sight. The captain and the best cook who ever ran q marine engine were sunk deep in the gloom which sur- rounds the nonreading man when eur off from his kind and his employment
 "Well," said Vida when I stood over her like an accusing judge, "what have I done now? Shouldn't I play with this rubber this way?'
 You know what you've done" I said sternly. "You trapped Lipton S. Clair into proposing to you
 'There's nothing wrong about that, Vida protested. How do you sup pose any man ever proposes? You have to trap them. Were you under the impression that adult males went around looking for a chance to pay for some one else,s board and millinery and hosiery and all that sort of thing? No. sir; the masculine mind is very wary That's why We women hare to be SC much brighter than the men. It's case of self preservation.
 Ties afraid you meant 1t. He's go- ing to try to swim to the mainland in or9ef to get away"
 .Hhat! Swim to the maiuland?.
 sYes. He's q woman hater."
 Good heavens, He must not do that Vida Was genuinely couceFned.
 You might tell him that you are engaged to some enc else. That might reassure him
 T will" Vida got up determinedIr and went to the door. (Which way did he go:"
 "isisht down to tine shore, 1 think. 1 said "Ee seemed q triae daZad, though, and might have wandera3.' ?
 Funny thing" mterjaated Captain Perkins, "the way feIfer will wan der sometimes. My brother, he used to walk in his sleeep. l was eoin' 10 tell you where the zebra bit him chat time. !"
 Yes" said Vida eagerly, ''teII us where the zebra bit him."
 You'll have to hurry to catch him. interrupted, Tor it will be too late"
 The telephone bell rang.
 Hello. This is Blaney. Is Clair there?'
 No, he's not here now"
 "fhen let me speak to Miss Dun mcre."
 "she isn't here either I explained.
 ',Oh, they're out walking together again, l suppose" said my namesake sarcastically,
 No, not walking" I said; swim ming"
 What? At this time of night?" he yelled. Not both of them? Vida can't swim"
 Maybe h" is teaching her how" suggested. didn't know of any req son why I should ease his mind any way. little jealousy would be good for him.
 oh" He took the blow like a man. Then l heard him say faintly, Good by and hung up the receiver.
 Lucille confronted me when l turned around. Do you know where Tootles is?"
 No, I don't know where she is" replied, with strict adherence to the truth. Isn't she here?' I added guile lessly.
 No, and I'm dreadfully worried. There are so many strange people in the house that some one may have let her ont, not knowing how careful we are with her. She might get lost and starved or get her feet wet and have pneumonia, or a hawk might carry her off
 At this moment the unspeakable Bopp entered. He made q great show Of weariness, dragging his feet as if they were too heavy to lift
 Have you seen her?' demanded Lu cile.
 No" Bopp said wearily. i've tramped all over the island again and again. There's DO ravine. no gully. no bush that haven't investigated. She must have left the island '
 'She can't sWim" moaned Lucila. Her little legs are too short, and her fur would get ia her eyes.
 What" he yelled. Fur get in her eyes?
 "Tootles is lost I threw in by way of explanation.
 "Tootles?" said Bopp. bewildered. i've been looking for Mrs Green
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