The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-02-13
When a Maid
Laughs
@n
Copyright, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
BY BERTHA R. MCDONALD

on the outskirts OF town ana look the
little path along the railroad he
walked as though he were treadlng on
air. His heart was in tune with all
the world and the autumn sun, just
setting. seemed a great pot of gold. at
the end of his days rainbow, beckOn-
ing him on toward everlasting happi-
ness. Lilllth had given him to under
stand that afternoon that she really
cared-Llllith who mad coquetted with
him ever since she began going away
to school. There could be no mistake
about her attitude this time, her open
encouragement permitting but one in
depreciation.
"May come-tonightW he had whis-
pered as he was leaving her.
''Try and see" she answered coyly,
waiting him butterfly kiss from the
tips of her fingers. And he was going
to her now. He had determined to set
tie the future that very evening, come
what may, and he was thinking with
honest pride. as he walked along, Of
the comfortable nestegg in the savings
bank which he could offer Lillith.
| When he was almost in front of the
house he heard a sound of laughter
and merrymaklng from within, like a
dscordant note in the song his heart
was singing.
Bother take I'll" he muttered. "Why
couldn't she have been alone tonight,
of all tlmes?"
Here he !" shouted Lillith gayly
answering his ring; Tets make him
stir the fudge"
He was dragged playfully into the
living room, Invested of outer gar
ments and adorned with a huge ging.
ham apron, which Lillth tied under
his arms.
domestic roles are very becoming
| she whispered with a blushing smile
which set his heart to beating a brisk
tattoo. Here's the spoon, and don't you
dare stop beating until give you per
mission"
She closed his fingers over the spoon
with an affectionate pat, turned the
blaze a trine higher under the chatting
dish, and then left him to play a duet
with Hugh Birch. Still John had no
thought save that of being in Lillith's
home for just one purpose, which he
meant to accomplish in spite of Wis
/ itors.
"Why all the hiarity here this eve
nlngY he inquired casually of Nell
Bakesly, who had taken a place be-
side him at the table.
Nothing special that l know of, Lii
18th just telephoned late this afternoon
that she thought a chahng-dish party
would be fun. so we all came over"
Lillith Anderson had resOrted to her
old trick Of playing with fire once too
often. John was confident she must
have known what he was coming for
and, with the courage born of despera-
ton, he decided there was no time like
! the present.
"Lillith, come here" he called.
The new note of determination In
his sudden command startled the girl
ato obeylng at once a thing she was
not in the habit of doing.
"At your service, captain" she
Knocked, saluting, soldier fashion, as
she slipped into the chair vacated by
Nell. "Fudge ready?"
81 don't know thing about 1t, and
neither do | care a rap!" he answered
doggedly 81 came here to see you
alone and you deliberately planned
! this"
"'Love is like the red, yed rose ."
she sang, interrupting him, while she
took the spoon from his hand, turnet
out the blaze and began beating the
steamlng mass as though her very life
depended upon il. Nov, fellow citi.
zens," she called out, "we'l soon have
something delectable TO please your
to cool"
She poured the fudge upon a platter
and held II out TO him In such a half
frightened, pleading way that, as usual
he fell before the spell of her wonder.
ful eyes and found himself carrying
the candy ohediently TO the back porch
But a dash Of the bracing night air re.
established his determination and he
tore off the apron as he strobe angrily
into the hall. Must you go. JohnY
Llllith asked timidly. with faint
note of concern IN her voice.
81 shall not stay here and have you
mock me for one more seCondl = You
knew-you must have knoWn--l was
coming here tonight to ask sou TO be
my wife, and you've played with me
just as long as you're going to What's
your answerY
lie led her into the vestlbule and
shut the door JUST as the rest of the
party adjourned to the back porch to
examine the candy, so they we're alone
"Will you marry me2' he went on
taking her face between his hands and
raising her eyes to the level of his
, own. ANSWER me-will your"
q peal Of hystercal, hooking laugh
, ter was her only reply, ana John Law.
renee left her. going out without an.
other word. AS he walked along the
rallroad track, taking the short cu
home, his heart was heavy. Lnith
had deliberately laughed IN his face
after boldly encouraging him TO speak.
There was only one other thought In
his mind, and that was to get away
:. from her MS far and as fast as he
could.
lie was dlmly conscious that the
whistle Of the night express had sound.
q aronnd the curve the other side of