The spectator., 1918-11-05

 vet drop curtain stood the shy spirit O. the wood.
 q had to make you turn around she said apologetically, "and get it over with"
 Never was a fairer Rosalind. She held up her head with a fine courage ip spite of the crimson blushes whici, chased each other over her face anC neck, and she stood straight in the high heeled soft kid boots, q slende, figure, almost boyish.
 Wont you sit down?" l had riser and indicated the log seat opposit, mine.
 Were you expecting some onc ?" sh, asked. casting an anxious look at tht seat
 "Why, yes" pretended to be hesi tant about confldlng in her, "I was ex pecting some one, a lady, one that l am very fond of, but am afraid thal she has disappointed me. Won't you take her place?"
 Thank you," she said simply ant slid into the seat.
 When l poured her some of the tc: and offered her such food as was avail able she accepted everything and at, with UnembarraSSed appetitH. It m0y sound unromantic to ay that we sats fled eur hunger without conversation but remember that there had beer many hours when talk had been on ,1N- h,1 some of everything, including tea, which proves to my mind conclusiyely that she isn't a regular dog. But no more of that.
 I'm sorry" my vis-a-v!s said at last le ming forward with her chin resting on the backs of her clasped hands, I'm sorry to be sitting in the place of some one else whom you would prefer to have here" Then she added, with a little sigh, That is, if you would prefer some one else"
 'I would and 1 wouldn't" I smiled Y nm trying to imagine that you are she"
 Tn these-in this ccstuneT'
 Tt is difficult to imagine her dressed as you are, but not impossible. I ad- init. though, that it would be easier to picture you in her dress than her io yourS."
 Why did she not come?"
 "I have displeascd her"
 "If she has been angry it must be that she forgot for the moment how brave you are and bow kind"
 "She said she never wanted to sec me again"
 And you said you would never enter her house again. Yet you broke you! word when she was in danger, and she was very glad to see you indeed" Sht reached across the table impulsiyely and laid her small brown fingers in my palm.
 "What would you do in that caseY'
 'I'l come and find you she answer cd, "and when I'd found you, I'd put my hands in yours, just like this. nnd I'd ask your forgiveness for being q cross, cranky old maid."
 "But she isn't m old maid" l held her fingers tightly.
 "She'll be twenty five tomorrow |" She laughed. And If girl isn't mar ried by the time she is twenty-five sh, is an old mad."
 Then shell never he an old maid" declared, because by this time tomor row she'll he m0rricd-that is" add ed, If she'll accept a stout, middle aged man for a husband"
 '"rhcre isn't one on this island" shC declared looking at me with shlGin, eyes You cant claim to be stou when your holt ncc rly reaches arouni you twice. Monty" she gave my har, n quick little squeeze. you're dear
 "NIll you marry wo?" I asked
 "Df course. decided that long ago To Eeu suppose I'd let any man see III, .r tIis costume unless he was going l. '.sarry me-"
 pulled her toward mo.
 "5-yr"sc me. ful'.s," said a voice. $, latn nHc the dpnae ta hu:t in oa th, smbrn and Nay'ove stuff and cer taM}y have oa GoG 1t, but I've fot ( '"a.7 cotaHay nd ! can't do a 'r. #.a eH; of Gfs trce without d,sturoin yoe
 NJ hooked up at d." auxjopS face , hyat pecr.ag between uae N,alcle~.
 "fhHt rcvpuUe beat is comiu. bar and it's ciAch they're going to I, s5e this time if | s,iea arouai tM louky island, I've got to beat it.
 lie scrambled down.
 "IloW cun you Grt aWay?" asked.
 "rhe launch.' he explained briefly five been iiN.as her up on tbc G. { 'hjs week getting ready for aa ounr se@cy. She lao&s goo,l for fifteen nl!e uu hnur."
 sixteen" corrected Lucille
 All the better thcn, I'll lose 'cn out there. l don't suppose you tw, doves will mind if keep 'em SO bus. that they 0in't got time to land RI, Bopp for an hour or 90" He grinnel
 Not q bit" l answered.. Goo, luck"
 He started for the cove. I watch, him cut of sight.
 When l turned back the bench op