The Carlisle independent., 1918-04-25

the WOOQ.
 q had to make you turn around" she said apologettcally, land get it over with"
 Never was a fairer Rosalind She held up her head with fine courage in spite of the crimson blushes which chased each other over her face and neck, and she stood straight in the high heeled soft kid boots, slender figure, almost boyish.
 Wont you sit down?'' l had risen and indicated the log seat opposite mine.
 Were you expecting some onc?" she asked, casting an anxious look at the seat.
 "Why, yes" I pretended to be hesi- tant about confiding in her. q was ex- pecting some one, lady, one that I am very fond of, but am afraid that 1 she has disappointed me. Won't you take her placer
 ''Thank you" she said simply and slid into the seat
 When poured her some of the tea and offered her such food as was avail able she accepted everything and ate with unembarrassed appetite. It may sound unromantic to cay that we satis- fled our hunger without conversation, 1 but remember that there had been many hours when talk had been our only substitute for food. Tootles had some of everything, including tea, which proves to my mind conclusively that she isn't a regular dog. But no more of that.
 "I'm sorry," my vis-a-vis said at last, | leaning 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"
 T would and I wouldn't" I smiled. T am trying to imagine that you are she"
 Tn these-in this costume?"
 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 Der in yours."
 "Why did she not come?"
 "I have displeased her"
 "If she has been angry 1t must be that she forgot for the moment how brave you are and how kind"
 "She said she never wanted to sec me again."
 And you said you would never enter her house again. Yet you broke your word when she was in danger, and she was very glad to see you indeed" She reached across the table impulsively and laid her small brown fingers in my palm.
 What would you do in that caseY
 "I'd come and find you," she answer ed, land when I'd found you, I'd put my hands in yours, just like this, and I'd ask your forgiveness for being q cross, cranky old maid"
 "But she isn't an old maid" I held her fingers tightly.
 Shell be twenty five tomorrow" She laughed. And if girl isn't mar ried by the time she is twenty-five she Is an old maid"
 'Then she'll never be an old maid," declared, because by this time tomor- row she'll be married-that is," add ed, eff she'll accept a stout, middle aged man for husband"
 'There isn't one on this island,' she declared, looking at me with shining eyes. "You can't claim to. be stout when your belt nearly reaches around you twice. Monty" she gave my hand a quick little squeeze, you're dear"
 "Will you marry mel" asked.
 ''Of course I decided that long ago. Do you suppose I'd let any man see me in this costume unless he was going to marry me?
 I pulled her toward me.
 Excuse me, folks.s' said a voice, q hate like the deuce to butt in on the Sothern and Marlowe stuff and I cer- tainly- have enjoyed 1t, but I've got to make getaway and can't do Bro- | die out of this tree without disturbing you"
 | We looked up at the anxious face of Kent peering between the branches.
 'That revenue boat is coming back, 1 eAAA ~ q SAASl thCy | . SOiuS lO 6CI me this time if I stick around this dfnky island. I've got to beat it."
 He scrambled down.
 "How can you get away?' asked.
 "The launch" he explained briefly. I've been fixing her up on the Q. l.. this week getting ready for an emer- gency. She looks good for fifteen miles an hour.'
 Sixteen" corrected Lucille
 "All the better then. I'll lose 'em out there. don't suppose you two doves will mind if keep lem so busy that they ain't got time to land MT. Bopp for an hour or so." He grinned.
 Not a bit," I answered. 'Good luck"
 | He started for the cove. watched him out of sight.
 When I turned back the bench op- posite me was empty. A slender fig