The Press., 1919-12-11

was delightfully."- cold and crisp. They must have walked several miles, and on the way home Clover found 1t diff ficult to keep up with the long, regular strides that had weathered so many long hikes. At turn in the road she fell forward on her knees before Cor don could catch her. In second he lifted her to her feet, however, but did not instantly release her. For mo- ment she felt his rough overcoat against her cheek.
 "I'm so sorry, little girl-I'm afraid I'm no account at all as an escort His arm was still very decidedly SUD- porting her shoulders.
 "It's just because this stupid soldier is a little weary in the feet-if the troops slow down a little she'll be all right now, captain"
 They slowed down a good deal, and Gordon slipped her fur-clad arm through his own.
 "It'll be easier walking this way, if you don't mind," he told her.
 
 fully.
 In a few minutes they reached the house and Aunt Mary flew to meet them.
 sIucy's coming, and the Lowe girls and their brother, and the Grays, too, dear You children must be tired to death-you've been gone so long. There's tea waiting for you in the library, so run along and I'll tell Susan about the dessert before it's too late"
 Clover slipped off her coat and hat and sank down on the big davenport in front of the fire. Gordon followed suit, and sighed contentedly.
 "This is the incest day I've had in four years" he told her honestly. "And I'm not at all sure that it isn't the best one I've her had, either!" "You're most polite and flattering person." scoffed Clover, as she snug | gled cozily down among a nest of soft ! cushions.
 "No, I'm not mean every word of | it-dont you believe me?" "I don't knOw-Pve known you such | little time"
 "Does it seem like such q little while to you?"
 "No, it dOcsnt-0h. I don't know | she stumbled and concentrated her gaze upon the fire. "I think I'd better 20 and change for supper" she began | nnrv0uSly, sccnting danger in the air But he caught her hand and nearly wrecked the tea table in his attempt tC keep her with him.
 "Fm most terribly in earnest; wont you listen to me, Clover? Of course haven't known you long. but I love you T can't help it. Have l any chance?
 "Would the ghost of chance satisfy yOu?" leased Clover.
 "Well, if haven't, at least won bother you any more."
 "But I want to be bothered" sh' whispered almost inaudibly.
 After that she didn't say anything for a long, long time.
 "Nhat will Aunt Mary say?" h' asked her at last "As long as Pm not marrying th' incomparable nephew it won't mak' much difference, l guess. And O. course we've known each other fO forty-eight hOurs-too-that's lon! time in these times, you know"
 "A ifetime," he assured her.
 "Here she SD cried a portly lad, from the doorway. "Why, Mary. upOl my word, if it isn't Phil Then, h' didn't lose the address after all! Yol dear children-how are yOu?".
 "Why, Aunt Lucy, I never expected to see you here-why didn't you tel me you knew Clover?"
 "Why didn't you tell me you did, in stead of taking that paper with he address and pretending you'd neve heard of her before You sly boy just what I told you about him Thurs day. Mary"
 "I wanted to surprise you. Aun Lucy," he lied to her cheerfully. Thel he took a slip of paper from his pocke and handed it to Clover. On it wa written her own name and address.
 "And never even opened it till thi minute" he whispered in her ear.
 "Don't ever tell them," she begge' him softly.
 "Why. Nary" exclaimed Aunt Lucy "he kissed her!'
 "Pcrhaps we'd better go," suggeste' Aunt Mary nervously. Hes still kissing her." added Aun Lucy.
 .'Then I'm sure we'd better go," crie' | Aunt Vary pulling her reluctant frien, | toward the door,
 "DidEt l always tell you he was darling" insisted Aunt Lucy when sh | had recovered her breath.
 "You certainly did, Lucy," agree' Aunt Mary generously. And now IT admit that I really agree with you fo 1 the first ti'ror'
 VICTORY TO SUPERIOR RAC|