Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-12-17
Though bubblino Wssv


merriment, the girl had paid close at
tention to the driving of the coupe.
She kept to the smootheSt OF the more
secluded streets, Aand siackened speed
while passing through the radius OF
light at the intersections, that the
coupe might not attract the unwel-
come observation of chance police
man. But between intersections she
threw on the high gear
eve must get home. before they
learn of your escape" she explained
when Clinton suggested a more mod
crate speed "They may telephone
about it, and if they should find | am
not at home-don't you see?-that
would let the cat out of the bag. They
would come for you at once"
you've ventured to do all this abso-
lutely alone?"
"Of course. Keep quiet. Here's our
block. S-s-sh Keep still now. No
one must see us go in"
She turned off the coupe lights and
drove slowly toward the other end of
the long block. The light from the
nearest intersection was just sufficient
to show her clear young eyes where to
turn into the yard. Under the pergola
the darkness was so dense that she
entered it at a snail's pace, Oue hand
on the steering lever and the other
thrust out of the side window to touch
the grape leaves with the tips of her
fingers.
'"Ihe porte-cochere door is un-
locked she whispered. "Slip out
now, and creep up to your room. I'm
afraid to stop"
"If you insist" he acquiesced
The stairway and upper hall offered
him the relief of q clear passage He
stole up to his room. The door was
aiar. After pausing to listen, he ven
tured to light vesta. The little flare
lasted long enough for him to make
sure that all the shades were drawn
down close over the windows. He
closed the door. lighted a single gas
jet, and dived into the closet. When
he emerged, his paiamas were covered
with trousers and his stockinged feet
cramped into pair Of tight shoes.
At the same moment Amy slipped in
at the door, beamn@ with the mis-
chievOus delight and exultance of a
college girl at midnight feast. Her
first act was to turn down the gas. her
second to hold up her lips for Clin-
1t IL
her hands to keep her away from him.
He tried to force his gaze away from
her sweet face, and could not. He
drew in a deep breath and murmured
protestingly: Miss Amy, you refuse
10 realize--"
mo, it's yOu," she broke in. Now
that Ellen has Tilted you and Charlie
has Tilted me"
"What! You weren't engaged to
Bemm?'
The girl bushed under his intent
gaze. IL did think that perhaps
might But that was before you came
home. Since then" She faltered and
looked down.
IL y ST. queer Actually Ucll0NE j
love you twice as much more-sO
much that Haven't any room for
Charlie"
You are certain?"
positive And the funny thing is |
was going to encourage him just be-
cause you didn't want me TO. Then !
began comparing him with you, and
somehow Why, do you know-you
mustn't even smile, because it's-it's
really tragic-but actually | was be-
coming jealous of Ellen. Wasn't that
selfish of me?"
Swiftly he bent down to sweep her
into his arms and shower kisses on her
lips and eyes, on her dimpled cheeks
and white forehead, and on her ex-
Quisite pink ear and fragrant hair
when. overwhelmed, she snuggled her
face on his shoulder. Bewldered,
niushing, filed with rapture yet still
,,uDcenf of it's meaning she flung her