The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-11
sy A. W. Peach

that Old Prince was mereiV LIhN'n5
believe, and drove on, kno" ~, sms
that she was cutting anything nut
d graceful hgure. o
III 1tist wish could get chance
IA shog hfm!" she said to hersef
With a little anger. ! suppose ne
thinks am Just a country giri--a
on her way home, with the mem.
ory Of his amused glance IN hSl
nina she planned what sue would
N IL linn II she got the chance.
she had given up her training az q
nurse to help her father ana ne sT
er on the old homo place. S Ply
thought she knew enough VI 5b
iot understand most men. ana she
raasoned that she would have
= Attie Amusement on her own Dc
M IL the chance came. a,a
TyIns next day the chance oio
cornes She was busy in her moLh-
eris beloved flower garden Wnen
s;,e saw the tall figure IN hshlI1s
foga come stalking up the pain.
Her heart jumped with iitlte
creeping tremor. , . \.
Hello, Maid Of the Flowers, M NJ
said "a greeting. II saw you tFoLn
ne ,roof and thought would ask
iermission TO bids q Wee.
She was embarrassed Dill, LOT
again he had caught her in plain,
rfnEflarn working gown: but she
Manned rapidly. She was deter
mined to show him that she was
not to be laughed at.
She welcomed him, and as sup
net time was near at hano sne III
duced him to stay. 80
she almost forgot, In tnat en-
,ehsnted hour what her dire pu1-
more, was; for he chatted SO pleas
antly with her father and gave mel
2 + mother the quiet courtesy that IS
horne. OF the finest breeding
Afterward she hurried TO her
room and changed to gown that
sha knew set on her dark hair
and eyes, the rose OF her cheeks
and the bronze OF her Skin. re
on the other hand, was garoed n
the rough toys Of a fisherman. He
would suffer this time.
IN the cosy summerhouse, while
sthe long. evening twilight Jagged
they talked. She made up her
mind abe would 1irt with him out.
raReously, His pleasant eyes ana
voice betrayed his quiet enjoyment
of her mood and manner, but the
Irritating amusement that he hau
shown IN her appeared again.
Only when he left her did MS at,
titude change; then as ne nelu
her hand In farewell he said, quiet
II. al want you 10 ask me to
come again; and Just to please me,
wIlI you wear the Bingham gown
YOU wore among the flowers,
TOO surprised to question him,
puzzled, too, she assented.
She watched him as he disap,,
6eared into the dusk, and she stood
little while IN silence. She knew
q then; that OF all men she had ever
met, he appealed TO her most.
Eerfain himself? Why is he &c
amused? why does he want to sos
ne nFain-and IN that honey
qingham?' she questioned herself
He came not once but twice, and
he last time he told her he could
como but once more. The lntor
nation sobered her, for IN hel
aeart there was a yearning for mn
that had grown and Grown IN tat
mysterious way that heart hndS
His amused attitude had con
anued, except in rare moments
She had tried to meet II IN every
<. way but had failed. For his las
visit she had made up her mint
She would be herself.
She dressed for bis visit witt
40 deliberate aim at effect, and Of
walked with him to the summe
She busted herself while Thu
light lasted with her sewing; theI
when the afterglow faded on TIL
western mountains she laid thu
work down. With a little ache II
her heart over the memories tina
we're hers, she asked him quietly,
"Will you tell me, Landon"-sh
Ia the easy familiarity OF summe
frfends-sjust why have amused
you so?" Please tell me. l know
am q country girl and uncouth-
"Hushl" he said quickly. Thel
he came suddenly and sat down be
side her, leaning slightly tOwar,
cher. II am sorry II you have seel
any sign Of my amusement
hardly know that It existed. It ha
pleased me to see you trying to D.
tgpde5 you to bel" "
She Tose, her cheeks flaming
Then all the time he had know
she Was making believe!
He caught her hand. He dreJ
her down close TO him
Don't be angry" he said gently
u OughG pot TO peI sue answer
ed submitting.
There was a little silence; the,
he said II knew how you fel
that arBt meeting, but when
sew YOU knew something more
BecR1He Of that /. came this wa
fishing. Because Of that l am her
she tried to hush, the trenholm
that went over her lest he know
was he playing still
you played at make-belie7e e2
cent tonighti you have been you
own true ael4. But / have not play
Cd 6a& make believe. Don't 20
think YOU ought TO reward mo hi
tender voice SAID.
what do You wankf" she aske
hreathlegsly. On his answer hun
al.
gr1i and strong his arm wen
sbouE her. Startled she turner
bfft hesltatRd the breath, OF q sex
bn6 and renia med. For his ansWe
-, a. "A II tfPffffnEiE il.i7l4I-