Deming graphic., 1919-12-09
The RUNAWAY
sy ALICE FREEMAN.

kfouI VI hft girls WcIc S(uttGttu
around the kitchen Of the large coun-
try house. A little over q week before
they had come to the country TO stay
two weeks under the chaperonage OF
Aunt Evelyn" ut her summer home.
Mrs. Bradford was really an aunt to
only one OF the girls, but as the others
expressed Il: "She seemed to belong
to the rest Of us just as much as to
Elsie" With the exception Of Louise
Strand. all the girls had come out to
enjoy their vacation. But with Louise
II was different. She had come away
from the city to forget--if such thing
we're possible; forget q certain young
man and the happy hours she had
spent with him; forget the other girl
who had sprung up suddenly from
nowhere and taken him away from
her-the girl who had taken the sun
shine out Of her life. II she could only
forgetl
Mrs. Bradford had gone to town
early In the morning.
The girls were just trying 10 de-
eide how to spend the day when the
telephone buzzed.
''0h. Louise. you answer It." came
a cry from the direction of the sink.
A minute later Louise returned to
the kitchen and said: TITS q young
man, Elsie, and he wants to speak with
you"
Elsie dried her hands and went to
the telephone: "Hello--yes--oh, when
dld-you get backi-That would be fine.
Wen, there are Ave Of us In alive
could 20 any time. Let's 60 early and
bring cur lunch. Wen bring the lunch
II you1l provide the fruit and tonic.
Eleven o'clock-all right-at Pointed
Rock crossing. All right; good-by."
All this was meaningless string Of
endless sentences to the other girls,
who had gathered around Elsie. so
the moment she said "good-by,"
chorus Of voices cried out for an ex-
PLANTATION.
"Who was Itf
-"'What did he want7., -.
"What does II all meanf"
"One at time, please" interrupted
Elsie with mysterious laugh. ut
was Dob Tracy The Tracys are old
friends OF Aunt Evelyn. used to play
with Bob when was just a wee tot
and came to visit auntie, so we have
almost grown up together. He's been
away at college. aud has just come
home on a vacation with some friends.
He heard that there were few girls
over here with me. and wanted us to
go on berry-picking party, so sug-
gested making a picnic Of II.
"Just the thing" enthusiastically
from all the girls except Louise, who
said nothing.
An hour later they were ready to
leave the house, each with small pail.
A large basket containing a hastily
prepared lunch was on the top step.
"Where is the keyf" asked Ruth.
"why, thought Aunt Evelyn gave
II to you"
"And thought some one else had
It,"
"what shall we dot" asked some
one.
"Weii. I don't really care much
about going" volunteered Louise, trying
to hide the eagerness In her voice,
"and it's shame TO keep the boys
waiting, so I could Just as well stay
at home. can find something TO read.
A few minutes later Louise, with q
book in her hand, sat down by the
window, thankful Of having escaped
the blueberry party. Just then she no
ticed some one coming up the path
toward the house. At the same time
she noticed a basket on the top step.
"why, do believe the girls have
forgotten their lunch," and in the same
breath she added: "who can that
man bef"
She went to the door and opened t.
As the man came nearer she thought
she recognized familiar gait In his
walk. Suddenly she became very
white.
"Could II bef" she thought.
Just then the young man reached the
step and glanced UP.
"Loulsew he cried, as he fairly few
up the steps.
"Jack r. was all she could say.
After one happy moment In his
arms, thoughts Of the other girl food
ed her mind. She tried to push him
away from her. but he held her close.
Louise. dearest" he said softly,
why did you run away from me like
thatf"
Then she told him about seeing him
out driving with another girl; how
she had at first felt angry. then dis
appointed; how she had SIZED tears
and then gone away until he had gone
to college.
II thought you would come to say
'Good-by' before you went away" she
"and didn't want you to
offer any excuses for another girl. But
how did you get heref" she added.
II felt as though had nothing TO 20
home for this time" he told her, $50
when Bob Tracy asked me to spend my
vacation with him, I accepted the In
Then he dragged me OF to
that blueberry picnic today. When I |
Raw INV ehanra IN eofna haek for tho