The Carlisle independent., 1918-03-07
CHAPTER X-continued.
10-

that naQ not called him because l did not know where he was, had a sore throat, was under physicians or defs not to call any one, my mother had trained me not to yell at stran- gers, and, besides, I never did any calling except on Thursdays.
 Vida pointed her finger at me for shame. the way children do, and led him away before I could think of any thing more.
 Ned says" she smiled at me as they went on up the beach, 'that heav- en is q place where there are no dra- matic critics
 You tell him for me-" I retorted, 'that he knows more about heaven now than he ever will from actual ex- perienee-unless," I added, ''the girl he is engaged to actually marries him.
 She waved her thanks and trotted on at the fat magazine mans side. Yes, 1 said fat. There was something about him that was annoyingly fat. possibly his intellect. h figure he was no more fat than I am, but some way his avoirdupois Haunted itself fla grantly
 I disliked MT. Clair so thoroughly and heartily for a few minutes that l nearly forgot what l was standing in the lake for. gathered up my clans and went back to the house. With criminal caution I went in the back way, so that no enc would see what l had brought, and built a fire in the long unused stove. In getting those bivalves to loosen up l ruined two hatchets, can opener, @ thumb and an already frazzled temper.
 Lucille came downstairs while 1 was in the kitchen, but she did not come out where I was. I heard her asking some one in the living room, Who left the telephone off the hookT'
 There was a mumbled reply in the voice of Captain Perkins which l did not catch. Lucille apparently put the receiver back in it's place, because presently the telephone bell rang, and she answered it.
 sNo," I heard her say. "AIr. Clair is hot here" Then, after a pause: No. Miss Dunmore isn't here either. Who shall 1 say called? Oh, you don't wish them to be notified? Very we'll" There was click as of the receiver being placed on the hook,
 came in from the kitchen. Lucille greeted me pleasantly enough when l Aasked her how she had enjoyed her Sap.
 A do,,,+ +ti,,1v Two LooY oSloar, 7, eha denied T just rested, that was all.
 I did not tell her that did not be- lieye her.
 Your mother called up" I said briefly.
 Called upf" Lucille repeated. How could she?'
 From Huntingdons island" I ex- plained and went on to tell what l knew of Mrs. Greens experience.
 "She had no right to frighten me so,' Lucille exclaimed; also Lucille selfishly disregarded my sufferings; also those of Bopp. His emotions, I imagine, were chiefly confined to his digestive apparatus, but 1 suppose they must be classed as sufferings just the same
 pointed out to Lucille that her moth- CT had escaped only by miracle.
 "What possessed her to do such a thing?" Lucille was as petulant as half awakened child.
 q had a brother once who used to walk in his sleep. There was a zebra that
 l interrupted Captain Perkins. Your mother was scarcely responsible.o l said.
 My brother was that way" chimed in the real estate captain. You never could tell where you could find him nights. But the time that the zebra bit him was the curiousest. l allow"
 "The zebra bit him?" Lucile's inter- est was aroused.
 The captain settled himself to tell his favorite tale, but Gid not get started because Vida breezed in with a rather shamefaced Clair in tow
 She came directly to me.
 'I'll take that ring, please" she said.
 Do you really want it?"
 "Certainly. 1 am entitled to wear it."
 "Of course she ought to have your ring" urged Lucille. "That one will do until you can get her something else. May 1 congratulate you, Miss Dunmore?'
 "Has Mir. Blainey told you about it?'' Vida asked, naturally surprised that a Nlird party should take an interest in a testing wager.
 He didn't need to-" Lucille smiled
 With Clair present I could hardly explain that Miss Dunmore had won my ring because she had made him propose to her Thus | allowed my kelf to be misunderstood once more.
 retired as gracefully as possible to he kitchen. to be followed there short
 by Lipton s. Clair.
 May l speak with you alone?" he demanded cautiously, looking first right and then left like stage villain
 You win never see me more lone some than in your company" l return. T y,1xr