The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1920-06-10
TWO IN A BOAT
BY LULU M. PAULgY.

llS just tHree HOnlnS ago lOuiyt
reflected Lydia. "In another week
the hotel will be closed. the guests
gone, and Wen be gone, too"
EYES," nodded Bob; at seems such
short time slnce-and what heap
OF nice girls" He broke off abrupt
ly and headed the boat towards tho
willows.
Lydia looked sweetly sympathetic.
"Tell me about Them" she urged. THE
heap of nice girls"
"Pd rather you'd tell your story
first" returned Bob. half wistfully.
She glanced ut him demurely. "All
right" she replied, good-naturedly, and
began
81 came down here the first week
in June and met you for the second
time since our schooldays. We be-
came engaged, but the engagement was
conditional. That is, II either Of us
met some one else whom we liked bet
ter. we were at liberty to do as we
pleased, In case we let each other
know" She paused impresslvely and
struck at the water with her long,
white fingers. ut was your idea. and
contained not the slightest opening for
one of those interesting hreach-of-
promise suits"
Bob flushed, but said nothing.
"The next one to propose" she con-
tinued. was Mr.. Hillary. who owns
that splendid yacht down az the har-
Dor. Then came Mr.. Meridian, Charlie
Dibble, Victor and that dear fat cob
lege boy, Percy Downey. I refused
Percy, Of course. He was deadly in
| earnest. and l was afraid when he
should find ! 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 It's ways"
Little philosopher" applauded Bob.
I'm not very wordly-wise; aren't you
| afraid I'll make a fussT
| Lydia shook her fluffy head. "You
made the conditions Of our engage
ment, so you ought not to make q
| fuss"
/
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. Bot
burst into an uncomfortable At OF
laughter and made the boat rock VIC
lently.
"Stop Immediately cried the girl
"you'll upset the boat"
81 have two engagement rings" she
retorted. zone is yours. You may
have 1t now If you wish"
He silently lighted a cigarette.
you'll need ii for one of those nice
girls you've met" she suggested quiet
~. do know herr"
81 believe you do" His tones were
curt.
81 think" he remarked coldly. turn
ing the boat out into midstream, "tha
we had better be going back TO the no
tel The sun is already set and ther,
is no moon tonight"
"Why, Mr.. Porter" she cried. "ther,
was a beautiful moon last night. so, o
course, there must be another tonight
Mr.. Morton and l sat out for loni
time last evening admiring It."
II suppose he is the fellow you ar
going to marry" Bob growled. II re
member seeing him about the hotel
Sort of a sissy, is he hot2 One o
those, I'm mammals boy, I Grn. ! cai
talk to the girls. know how"
"Oh, aren't you horrldT' laughet
Lydia. II think Mr.. Morton Is yer
nice, indeed"
"And quite ladylike. too" Bob slight
ingly added.
you're not obliged TO like him,
flashed Lydia.
Certainly not say, Lydia, I'm SC
ing away In the mornipg-very early
Do you care?"
as that so?" Her tone was banter
ing "How disappointed the heap Q
nice girls will be. Such bright. elig
BILE young man."
Bob's tanned face burned redly an
he gave his full attention to the oar,
81 suppose It's the other girl whor
you are going TO see." she remarke
thoughtfully. "TIow glad she'll be
deuce take the other girl" brok
from Bob's lips impatiently. "LydIi
don't you care the least little bit?"
, Lydla's pink cheeks grew a shad
deeper and her blue eyes twinkle
brightly. 81 wish you would explain
she said, provokingly; II really do M
understand you"
Bob ceased rowing and gnzed az be
long and steadily. Then he turned h
gaze thoughtfully across the river.
"Arne't we going int" she pcttishl
asked.
l Bob turned his face to her with
Z glow Of determination In his clea
brown eyes.
I'll tell you the name Of the girl
3 love. IL you will tell me the name I
3 the chap you're going TO marry"
Informed her, rather checrfully.