The Lamar register., 1920-03-17
TWO IN A BOAT
BY LULU NJ. PAULEY.

the hotel will he closed. the guests
gone, and Wen he gone. too"
Yes" nodded Bob: iii seems such
n short time Sincc-and what 4 heap
of nice girls" He broke on abrupt.
ly and headed the boat towards the
willows.
Lydiu 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 "All
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 schOoldaYs. We he
came engaged, hut the engagement was
conditional. That is. II either Of us
met some one else whom we liked bet-
ter. we were NJ liberty To do rs we
pleased. In case we let each other
know" She paused imprcssively and
struck ut the water with her long
white fingers. II, was your idea and
contained not the slightest opening fnt
one of those Interesting hreach-of
promise suits"
Bob flushed. hut said nothing
The next one ia propose" she con
tinued. was Mr.. Hillary. who owns
that splendid yacht down az the har.
Dor. Then came Mr.. Meridian. Charli.
Dibble. Victor and that dear. fat col
lege boy. Percy Downey. refused
Percy. Of course. lie was deadly in
earnest. and WAS afraid when he
should find I was only 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" applaudcd Bob.
'rm not very wordiy-wise: aren't ynn
afraid ri make y fuss,"
Lydia shook her fuzzy head. "You
made the conditions Of our engage
ment. SO you ought not TO make
fuss"
Never" breathed Bob, quickly; "T'll
not do that. Pray continue your de
delightfully."- interesting tale" and he
splashed the water spitefully with the
oars.
The last was Mr. Harper. who
boards at Elm cottage"
At the mention Of Mr.. Harper, Bob
burst into an uncomfortable At Of
laughter and made the boat rock vio-
lentiy.
stop Immediately cried the girl
'you'ii upset the boat"
81 have two engagement rings" she
retorted. zone is yours You may
have II now II you wish"
He silently lighted a cigarette.
You'll need It for one Of those nice
girls you've met" she suggested quiet
iy. "Do know herr"
II believe you do" His tones were
curt.
'T think" he remarked coldiy. turn
ing the boat out into midstream. that
we had better he going back to the ho-
tel. The sun is already set and there
In no moon tonight"
"why, Mr.. Porter" she cried, there
was . beautiful moon last night so. OF
Mr.. Morton and I sat out for long
time last evening sdmiring It,"
II suppose he Is the fellow you are
going to marry" Bob growled. II re-
member seeing him about the hotel.
Sort of a sissy. is he noti One OF
those. I'm mammals boy. I am. I can
talk to the girls. know how"
"Oh. aren't you horrid?" laughed
Lydia. II think Mr.. Morton Is very
nice. indeed"
"And quite iadyiike, too" Bob slight
ingiy added.
You're not Obliged to like him."
flashed Lydia.
Certainly not. say. Lydia. I'm go
ing away In the morning-very early.
Do you carer"
'Is that sol" Her tone was banter
ing. How disappointed the heap OF
nice girls will he. Such bright. elIgi-
BILE young man."
Bob's tanned face burned redly and
he gave his full attention to the oars.
II suppose it's the other girl whom
you are going to see" she remarked
thoughtfuily. How glad she'll he!
Deuce take the other girl" broke
from Bob's lips impatiently. Lydia.
don't you care the least little bit?''
Lydia's pink cheeks grew shade
deeper and her blue eyes twinkled
brightly 81 wish you would explain"
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