The Little River news., 1919-12-17

his buggy, but of late he had not been able to summon the courage tc suggest such an eXcurSiOn-not with all those big automobiles lying in wait for Matilda.
 I'll work my head off and get 8 car larger than any of them" he would mutter frequently to himself as he worked into the late hours of the night in an endeavor to make good that threat.
 A big rift was made in the clouds when reputable publishing concern wrote Kenneth a letter suggesting tha he submit some poems with view tc publication in book form. Kenneth al once put his nose to the grindstone and worked for three weeks with scarcely an ntermission.
 During that time he did not see Matilda except when he glimpsed heI leaving with some young hopeful ir a car. At last, one Saturday night Kenneth completed his task and went out to mail huge envelope contain ing the manuscript for the prospective book.
 Sunday morning Kenneth was sur prfSed t0 receive a telephone call from across the street.
 Whats the trouble? Are you sick? Why don't you eyer show yourselff" she inquired in one breath.
 Kenneth felt like telling her that
 l.. tgtf, with .he various kinis of expensive ears that called for her. hui instead he informed her that he had been hard at werk.
 You're overriding this work idea" she said. 'WhE don't you harness m old lack and take me for ride th.S afternoon? Things have come 10 a pretty pass WGen girl has to ask tt gentleman friend for an engage ngnr."
 Eeanelh,s month opened so wide it seemed 10 have designs on the mouth piece ef the phone He stammerod and gWgIed, but finally managed to ask:
 "4fhF=yon-you're fooltng, aren't you. aI#as
 Ne. naerd.' she responded. "Td honestly like q ride behind old Jack, I'm fed up on automobiles"
 Well you ce,Uainly shall have the diversion you soaI5.@ he promised har and that afternoon cid Jack and the buggy took Matilda and Kenneth out into the woods 10 q spot where the two Young a1ple had been wont to gather fowers and hold picnics when they were children.
 They -at on a knoll overlooking a courtyard. Motor ears of various sizes and makes darted back and forth in never-ending streams.
 This is the best day I've had in years, Matilda observed nesting close to Kenneth.
 ''The same with me" he agreed, and somehow queer little thrill seemed to go over him,
 q wish we could do this every day." she went on. Don't you"
 Yes, yes, of cogrse, certainly" Ken meth said. "Naturally I'd like to be with you every day; but your finan- cial and social standing would scarce ly permit it-nOw."
 Her lips tWitched and she picked up a stone and hurled it at tree, missing the target by several feet.
 "Why don't Alu leave that to me to decide?' she demanded. turning on him with flaming eyes. Have ever intinated anything to that effect?"
 He was silent for moment trying to collect his thoughts.
 "It'S this way, Mill" he finally broke out. i've been dead in love with you ever since We were kids. thought had a good show until-until your fla ther made all that money and the rich fellows began to call and take you riding in their big machines; and then looked at my poor prospects and con sidered poor old Jack and the buggy, and decided there wasn't much chance after all. Of course, l still feel the same and-if my ambitiOnS-Well. it may sound foolish to you, but maybe I'll have a book published soon. and if it Succeeds and 1 get good royalty then-maybe-"
 "Yes, yes go on," she said, smiling, with peculiar glistening in her eyes. You interest me, Ken. This may all seem improper, what Pm going to say, because you can't divide this year with four, but we've been such good friends for so long a time that 1 guess my little speech will be all right. Any how, I'm going to make it. I invited you to take me riding today and I may as well go the limit with my bold ness. What I wanted to say is this ::
 q hate all automobiles. I hate the money my father made in the busi- ness, and hate every man that comes to take me riding. What I'd like would be a little cottage and horse and buggy-old Jack and that same ve- hicle he draws would do nicely-and I'd like to have you take ne far away to the shore of some lake away. far away from the smell of gasoline. and there-there I'd help you write poetry. and just know you'd succeed l know you'll win with your book. have a premonition that it will-and wom- ans premOnitiOn never fails.