The state herald., 1918-03-15

Connie helplessly passed them down
to him, and saw him carefully deposit.
ing them on the ground. aust give me
your hand"
And what could Connie dof She
couldn't sternly order a milllonaires
son to mosy around the house and
mind his own business until she got
some decent clothes on, though THAT
was what she yearned to do. Instead
she held out slender hand. grimy and
red, with a few ugly scratches here
and there. and allowed herself to be
helped ignominiously out from the shel.
tering branches into the garlsh light Of
day.
She looked at him reproachfully. He
never SO much as smiled.
Laugh II you like" she said bitter
ly. II looked in the mirror. know all
about It."
"Run along" he said. "but don't be
gone long, will your Can you trust me
with the cherriesi'
Connie walked into the house with
great decorum. afraid the ragged skirts
might swing revealingly. but the young
man bent over the cherries while she
made her escape.
II was another Connie who appeared
little later. a typical tennis girl, all In
white from the velvet band in her hair
to the canvas shoes on her dainty feet.
She held out the slender hand. no long
er grimy and stained, but its whiteness
still marred with sorry scratches.
IT am glad to see you" she said
gracefully, though can only pray you
won't carry a mental picture Of me
very long"
'Tm afraid I will. though" he -said
teasingly.
"Then please, don't paint me verbally
for my sisters ears; they are always
so clever where I am concerned. II Is
too bad they are out. You'll stay for
luncheon with me. won't your I'm all
alone-we'll have It In the yard"
''It sounds tempting. but-perhaps
I had better come again later in the
afternoon"
"You may do that, too" said Connie.
"But since you are here. I'm afraid
must insist that you help amuse me-"
And she added ruefully. "Slnce I have
done 80 well amusing you this morn
Ing"
'why. he's Just like anybody else"
she was thinking with relief. ats no
trouble to talk to him. at all. He's nice
in spite Of the millions"
He stayed for luncheon. he even
helped carry the folding table out be-
meath the cherry tree. and trotted
docilely back and forth with plates and
glasses, as Connie decreed.
II was not until they were at lunch.
con that the grand idea visited Connie.
Back to her remembrance flashed the
thousand witty sallies Of Carol and
Lark. the hundreds Of times she had
suffered at their hands. And for the
first time In her life. she saw clear
way Of getting even. And a million.
aires son! Never was such a revenge
fairly crying to be perpetrated.
"will you do something for me. Mr..
Hedgesi" she asked. Connie was only
sixteen. but something that is born In
woman told her to lower her eyes shy.
ly. and then look up at him quickly be-
meath her lashes. And she saw in a
fash the ruse worked.
Then she told him softly. very pret.
tily.
''But won't she dislike me, II I dor
he asked.
"No. she won't" said Connie. "we're
family Of good laughers. We enjoy
a Joke nearly as much when it's on us,
as when we are on top"
30 II was arranged. and shortly aft.
er luncheon the young man In the i'm.
maculate spring suit took his depar.
ture. Then Connie summoned her aunt
by phone. and told her she must hasten
home to help "get ready for the mil.
lionaire's son." II was after two when
the twins arrived. and Connie and theil
aunt hurried them 10 violently that
they hndn't time to ask how Connie
got her information.
He had arrived A millionaire's son
Instantly their enthusiasm returned "a
them. The cushions on the couch were
carefully arranged for the reclining Of
the semi.invalid aunt. who. with the
sweet young daughter Of the house
was upstairs waiting to be summoned
Connie. with the tennis racquet, wu,
In the shed, whiting to arrive thentri
cally. Carol. In her trim black gowu
with a white cap and apron, was q
dream.
I'd when he came she ushercd hin
Ia, courtesying In q why known only
On the stage. md took his hat nnt
stick, and said softly:
"Yes, sir-picnse come In. sir-Ti
call the ladies'"
Che know she wns bewitching, o
course, since she hnd done II on pur
pose, and she lifted her eyes Just fni
enough beneath the lnshcs to give N,
properly coqucttish effect He cnurh
her hand. md drew her slowly town,
him. admiration In his eyes, but trcpi
dntion In his hcnrt, ns he followed Con