The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-14

was delightfully."- cold and crisp. They
must have walked several miles, and
on the way home Clover found it diff
ficult to keep up with the long, regu-
lar strides tht had weathered so many
long hikes. At a turn in the road
she stumbled over a dead branch and
fell forward on her knees before Cor
don could catch her. In a second he
lifted her to her feet, however, but
did not instantly release her. For
moment she felt his rough overcoat
against her cheek.
I'm so sorry, little girl-Tm afraid
I'm no account at all as an escort.
His arm was still very decidedly sup
porting her shoulders.
TITS 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"
''Forgive me-" he begged her. i've
been selfishly enjoying your company
and forgot what long steps I natur-
ally take. Shall we rest a little?"
"Oh, no." she scorned- "Only not
quite so speedy. please"
! They slowed down a good deal, and
Gordon slipped her fur-clad arm thru
! his own.
It'll be easier walking this way, If
you don't mind" he told her.
81 don't mind" she answered truth
! fully.
In a rev minutes Cn6y reached the
house and Aunt Mary flew to meet
! them.
sLucy'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"
| Glover 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 ever had, either!'
| You're a most polite and flattering
gled cozily down among a nest of sofa
cushions.
mo, I'm mott mean every word of
it-don't you believe me?"
"I don't know-Ive known you
such a little time"
"Does it seem like such q little
/ while to your
mo, it doesn't-oh, don't know"
she stumbled and concentrated her
gaze upon the fire. 81 think I'd bet
began nervously. seeming danger in
| the air.
| But he caught her hand and nearly
wrecked the tea table in his attempt
to keep her with him.
I'm most terribly in earnest;
won't you listen to me, Glover? OF
course 1 haven't known you long. but
any chance?"
would the ghost of chance sat
! isfy you?" leased Glover; but her eyes
were sparkling under their long
lashes.
"Well. If haven't, at least won't
| bother you any more"
/ But I want to be bothered" she
whispered almost inaudibly.
After that she didn't say anything
for long, long time.
What will Aunt Mary say?" he
| asked her at last.
LAS long as I'm not marrying the
Incompatible nephew it won't make
much difference. I guess. And of
course we've known each other for
forty eight hours-too--that's long
time in these times, you know"
"A lifetime" he assured her
Here she Isl" cried a portly lady
{, my word. if it isn't Phil! Then, he
| didn't lose the address after all! You
dear children-how are your
! why, Aunt Lucy, 1 never expected
! to see you here-why didn't you tell
| me you knew Clover?"
why didn't you tell me you did,
instead of taking that paper with her
address and pretending you'd never
heard of her before! You sly boy
just what told you about him Thurs
/ day, Mary"
II wanted to surprise you, Aunt
Lucy" he lied to her cheerfully. Then
he took a slip of paper from his
pocket and handed 1t to Clover. On 1t
was written her own name and ad-
dress.
And I never even opened 1t till this
minute" he whispered in her ear.
''Don't-ever tell them" she begged
him softly.
''why. Mary" exclaimed Aunt Lucy,
'he kissed herI'
Perhaps we'd better CO." suggested
Aunt Mary nervously.
Hes still kissing her." added Aunt
Lucy.
Then I'm sure we'd better co.
cried Aunt Mary. pulling her reluctant
friend toward the door
Didn't I always tell you he was a
darling?" insisted Aunt Lucy when
she had recovered her breath.
=, you certainly did. Lucy" agreed
Aunt Mary generously. "And now
I'll admit that really agree with you
for the first timen'
Copyright, 1919. by. the Mcclure News