The spectator., 1918-08-16
(copyrighs, Frank A. Munsey Col


 ness of a conceited fathead like that trying to get away from charming, sweet young girl like Vida alicnated him from human consideration. He unused a moment. 'TH do it. he exclaimed. '1f9I don't show up. mum's the word" .r
 "You cant get away" ' reminded him. s'There's no boat"
 'I forgot to tell you that am the champion swimmer of the Brooklyn Athletic club. I think l saw some bathing suits hanging up in the shed. With one of those on it will be child 's; play to me"
 strangely rheercti. he let himself out the back way and left me to the si- lenees sot my clams vs stv
 II Jeff tue claims 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 kfeadeas rubber that lay on I4u- ciles desk. Lucille herself was not In sight. The captain and the best cook who ever ran marine engine were sunk deep in the gloom which sur. rounds the nonreading man when cis off from bis kind and his employment.
 Well" said Vida when 1 stood over her like an accusing judge. "what have done now? Shouldn't l play with this rubber this way?"
 You know what you've done." said sternly. "You trapped Lipton s. ,,ronocioo vou
 .There's nothing wrong about that Vida protested. "How do you SUD- pose any man ever proposes2 You have to trap them Were you under the impression that adult males went around looking for chance to pay for some one elses board and millinery and hosiery and al! that sort of thingr No, sir: the masculine mind is very wary. That's why we women have to be so much brighter than the men. It's case of self preservation"
 Hes afraid you meant It. He's So- ing to try to swim 10 the mainland In order toiiget away" A4s3si .B w hat Swim to the malnlnnd!'' "Ies. He's a woman hater." Good heavens! He must not do that" vidn was genuinely conc%ned.
 You might tell him that you are engaged to some one else That might reassure htn.''
 T will" Vida got up dcterminediy and went to the door. (Which way did he gof"
 Right down to the shore. I think" I said. He seemed n trlfe dazed. though. and might have wandered" Funny thing" interjected Captain Perkins. ''the way . fellcr will wan der sometimes. My brother. he used to walk in his .sleccp. was eoin' to teh you where the zebra bit him that tfmc." s-~ .--~
 Yes" said Vida eagerly. tell us where the zebra bit him." You'll have to hurry to catch him." l interrupted. Tor 1t will be too late"
 The telephone bell rang.
 Hello. This Is Blaney. Is Clair there?" "No, he's not here now"
 Then let me speak to Miss Dun- more."
 ''She isn't here either," I explained. "Oh, they're out walking together , again, l suppose" said my :lamesake 4 | sarcastically. H
 No. not walking" said; swim ming"
 1r".What? At this time of n.ght?" be ! yelled. Not both of them! ViGa cant swim."f
 Maybe h" is teaching her how" I ! suggested didn't know of any req son why should case his mind any way. A little jealousy would be good fer him.
 Oh" He took the blow like a man Then I heard him say faintly. Good. Bi," and hung up the receiver.
 Lucille confronted mo when turned around. Do you know where Tooties, ] is?" M %
 No, l don't kdow where she is." i: replied, with strict adherence to ths truth.' "lsn't she here?" added guile lesSly.
 No, and l,u dreadfully worried. There are so many strange people in l the house that some one may have let her out. not knowing how careful we are with her. She might get lost and starved or get her feet wet and have pneumonia, or hawk might carry her Oh" 9T
 At this moment the unspeakable .Bopp entcred He made great show Of weariness. dragging hls feet as if they were too hcnvy to lift. ?. Have yop seen herY demanded Iiu- I eilc. fAAl~' As
 'No." Bopp said wearily. "rve. Ftramped alhoYer the island again and again. There's no ravinc. no gully. no bush thar haven't investigated. She must have left the island" r "She can't swim." moanci Lacilej Her little legs are too short. and he, fur would get in her eyes"
 "What.' he yelled. Fur get in hei, eyes?"-
 "Toot!es Is lost threw in by way of explanation.
 sorootleat" eaid Rom shcwildpvel