The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-06-21
CHAPTER DISCONTINUED.

ASK him. suggested.
Meaning that you don't think l can.
I'll bet my seal ring against yours that
can make him propose before dark.
Mine is a very curious one too. A
Russian duke gave it to me. l never
met him, but he sent 1t to my dressing
room with some flowers"
1t seemed to me to be possible way
to gain a little solitude for reflection,
and l assented to the wager.
you don't intend to tell him, then,
that you are engaged already?"
ooh, no, not until he proposes. OF
course l might like him better than
do Ned. Then I'd never tell him"
l could see that Ned Blaney was 60
ing to have the time Of bis life imme-
diately after he found himself hitched
more or less for life to this volatile
young person. Vida was not one Of
those who would pass by an inviting
! harness.
The rest of us went into the house.
AS we came In the telephone was ring
ing. Asking Lucile's permission, an
swered it.
"Heliol" said a male voice, speaking
with staccato sharpness. "May speak
to Mr.. Upton S. Clair?'
l put my hand over the mouthpiece
and turned around. Lucille had gone
upstairs, but Bopp was gazing idly
out of the window.
as Mr.. Clair still there in the yard p
| asked him.
mo; he went of down the beach
with Miss Dunmore."
Hello" l spoke again into the tele-
phone. "Mr. Clair was here a moment
ago, but he has just gone for walk
with young lady"
'Impossibler' The voice at the other
end shot that emphatically at me.
'Its So"
"Clair is a woman hater.''
"What if he is? This one is going
to convert him."
"Humph. She can't do it. Who is
she?"
Her name is Miss Vida Dunmore."
vida Dunmore there?''
Certainly"
"Thank heavenP he calculated fer
vently. I've been waiting for hourl
for her to get here. How does sh,
come to be there?'
| explained to the young man, who
proved to be Ned Blaney, as l had al
ready suspected, all about the wreck OF
the Mary Bell and the casting ashore
of her passengers.
Thanks very much,' said Blaney
with considerable relief in his voice
'I'll come right over after her. Don't
tell her that l called up and 1 will
surprise her. Goodby."
He hung up before l could tell him
that he probably couldn't get any kind
Of boat to come over to the island
but I judged that he would find that
out soon enough for himself.
where's Miss Green?' asked Bopp
81 advised her to lie down for lit
tie while and rest. This search il
wearing her out She is leaving every
thing ia my charge"
81 presume that congratulations arc
in order" l said, extending my hant
with as good show Of cordiality as
could muster. Il do congratulate you
Mr.. Bopp."
Were not regularly engaged" BopI
said sourly "She has promised to b,
mine If l can find her mother. Tha
makes me just about as near engaged
to her as if we had never met"
So Lucile's promise had string tiet
to it. My heart leaped exultantIy
There was chance yet.
Lets have a drink on the strength
of your engagement anyway" l said
starting toward the kitchen.
"Wateri" queried Bopp, hopin,
against hope.
why, yes"
mo, thanks. Ny tummie is lookin
for Mount Ararat now" He sank di.
consolately into q seat In momen
he rose YEARLY. I've got to start on
, again. / promised Lucille l woul
!. search while she rested"
Hardly had he left the house whe
the telephone rang again. / answer
ed it.
Hello"
Hello. Is that you, Mr.. Blainey
, Will you call Lucille to the telephone
l want to-
The voice ceased abruptly.
Hello l called. hello, hellov
There was no answer.
, The voice I had just been listenin
to was that of Mrs. @reen.
After awhile got centrals attentio
and demanded TO be told why l Ia
been cut off.
"That party called up from a privat
telephone" said central sweetly. Ssh
had no right to use it, 1t is a summt
telephone only, and the instrument
, to be taken out next week"
; 'IIut it was Mrs. Green who Wa
talking"
> 1T couldn't be-" central was pos
tive. you are speaking from Mr.
Green's residence yourself"