The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-12-16
TWO IN A BOAT



IT'S just three months ago today
reflected Lydia. "In another week
The hotel will be closed, the guests
gone, and wen be gone. too
Yes" nodded Bob; at seems such
short time since-and what a heap
of nice girls" He broke off abrupt
~ and headed the boat towards the
willows.
Lydia looked sweetly sympathetic.
Tell me about them," she urged. "The
heap of nice girls"
I'D rather you'd tell your story
first" returned Bob. half wistfully.
She glanced at him demurely. "An
right" she replied, good-naturedly. and
began:
Il came down here the first week
In June and met you for the second
time since our sehooldays. We be-
came engaged, but the engagement was
conditional. That is, if either Of us
met some one else whom we liked bet
ter, we We're at liberty to do as we
pleased, in case we let each other
know" She paused impressively and
struck at the water with her long.
white fingers 1T was your idea, and
contained not the slightest opening for
one Of those interesting breach-of-
promise suits"
Bob flushed, but said nothing.
"The next one to propose" she con.
tinued, "was Mr. Hillary, who owns
that splendid yacht down at the har-
Dor. Then came Mr.. Meridian, Charlie
Dlbble, Victor and that dear fat col
lege boy, Percy Downey. I refused
Percy, of course. He was deadly in
earnest, and l was afraid when he
should find / was only a summer girl
he might do something unpleasant.
Girls should avoid the man who has
not lived long enough in this world to
understand its ways"
little philosopher" applauded Bob.
TIN not very wordly-wise; aren't you
afraid I'll make fuss?"
Lydia shook her fluffy head. "You
made The conditions of our engage
ment so you ought not to make
fuss"
Never" breathed Bob, quickly; 'In
not do that. Pray continue your de
delightfully."- interesting tale" and he
splashed the water spltefully with the
oars.
"rhe last was Mr. Harper, who
boards at Elm cottage"
At the mention of Mr.. Harper, Bob
burst into an uncomfortable fit of
laughter and made the boat rock vio-
lently.
"Stop Immediately" cried the girl;
"you'Il upset the boat"
Il have two engagement rings" she
retOrted. zone is yours. You may
have it now If you wish"
He silently lighted a cigarette.
"You'll need it for one Of those nice
girls you've met" she suggested quiet
~. "Do know her?"
81 believe you do" His tones were
curt.
Il think" he remarked coldly, turn
ing the boat out into midstream, that
we had better be going back to the ho-
tel. The sun is already set and there
is no moon tonight"
"Why, Mr.. Porter" she cried, "there
was a beautiful moon last night, so of
course, there must be another tonight.
Mr.. Morton and I sat out for long
time last evening admiring it,"
81 suppose he is the fellow you are
going to marry" Bob growled. II re-
member seeing him about the hotel. |
Sort Of sissy, is he not? One Of |
those, I'm mammals boy, I am. 1 can
talk to the girls. know how"
"Oh, aren't you horrid?" laughed
Lydia. 81 think Mr. Morton is very
nice, indeed"
"And quite ladylike, too" Bob slight
ingly added.
you're not obliged to like him."
flashed Lydia.
Certainly not. I say, Lydia, I'm go
ing away in the mornlng-very early.
Do you care?"
IT'S that so?" Her tone was banter
ing. "How disappointed the heap Of
nice girls will be. Such a bright, ellgi-
BILE young man."
Bob's tanned face burned redly and
he gave his full attention to the oars.
81 suppose it's the other girl whom
you are going to see,", she remarked
thoughtfully. "How glad she'll be~
Deuce take the other grill" broke
from Bobs lips impatiently. Lydia,
don't you care the least little bit?"
I.ydias pink cheeks grew a shade
deeper and her blue eyes twinkled
brightly 81 wish you would explain"
she said, provokingly; II really do not
you"
Bob ceased rowing and gazed at her
long and steadily. Then he turned his
gaze thoughtfully across the river.
"Arne't we going in?" she pettishly
asked.
Bob turned his face to her with a
glow of determination in his clear,
brown eyes.
I'm tell you the name of the girl 1
love, if you will tell me the name of
the chap you're going to marry" he