The Lamar register., 1918-07-31


what have you lostf' he asked. as
he waded toward her.
"Oh. nothing" she answered trit1e
confused. isn't the water fine?"
After completely immersing himself
and swimming aimlessly about for
few seconds, Arthur agreed that 1t
was. Lets go out on the raft" he
suggested, but Dora seemed unwilling
to leave the shallow place. This was
surprising. for she had always seemed
anxious to get all the fun possible.
There was something troubling her.
She even seemed unwilling to go on
the beach for a sun bath. but finally
agreed.
"There" Arthur exclaimed, as he
stretched out on the sand. ~ thought
I never would get away from that
shallow part. There were 30 many
children there didn't have chance
to talk with you"
"You usually have lots OF opportuni'
ties" Dora smiled.
whats this?" he asked. as he picked
up something his toes had been rub
bing against In the sand. "Well look
what's herel A false curl |" Sure
enough 1t was.
Dora took II from him eagerly. 81
lost II |" she exclaimed. as she jumped
to her feet. 81 was searching for II
out there. Wait until / go and tell
auntie. She'll be delighted"
She was on before Arthur could stop
her. He looked after her with an ex-
clamation Of dismay on his lips. To
think that those beautiful curls Of hers
were false. No wonder she hadn't
talked much and had been confused.
So Mervin had been right
When Dora Joined him again he was
trying to smile. but found he couldn't.
"What makes you SO quietr she asked.
after they had sat In silence for near
iy Eve minutes.
Nothing very much" he replied to
her question. II was thinking that
was going home tomorrow"
"Going homer she echoed. why
you said last week that you would be
here all summer"
II have changed my mind" he an
swered. but when he saw the panied
look ON Dora's face he wished he had
thought up an excuse.
The next morning -Arthur's resolve
to 60 home had not faltered. He
wasn't going to stay there to be the
laughing stock Of the whole hotel when
they found out about Dora's age. He
was only twenty-one and most likely
she was thirty. anyway. Nine years
was too much difference. He felt SO
uncomfortable over 1t he went to the
station half an hour before the train
was due to leave. His going away
would leave the field open for Mervin-
That was too much. He left the train
In a hurry and left word with the bag
gage man to have his trunks sent back
to the hotel. He couldn't be happy
without Dora. even II she was eighty.
he found Dora in a secluded corner
of the veranda. Her eyes were red and
there were other traces of tears.
"You haven't gone yet" she criea
joyfully. as she caught sight OF him.
II heard that you had gone without
even saying good-by to me-"
81 came pretty nearly doing It, dear"
he said. "but I couldn't go away and
leave you here. When / 60 want to
take you with me. / want to marry
you"
IF you wanted to marry me. why
did you make me worry about your
leaving SO unexpectedly" she asked.
trying not to smile. Last night was
the second night have lost sleep by
worrying. The night before II was the
thought OF having lost auntie's best
curl that"
"Auntie's curlr' he interrupted.
Yes. the curl you found yesterday"
"oh" Arthur groaned. II thought
that was your curli"
'Minew she laughed. "And l was
only twenty a week agoi'
'Thank goodness for that" he cried.
But whyf" she asked, perplered.
She laughed for long time after he
told her. But what difference would
1t have made II I was thirty -fvef" she
said.
''None; but TN glad you're only
twenty" he replied