Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1920-08-20

| her equally startled mother.
"Pray pardon mel" he said. "Do
not be alarmed. He'll be all right In
few moments. could not stand
for his laying hands on me-"
"TO think that you could have so
forgotten yourself" reproved Mrs.
Kirkland.
"Was l to endure being treated as
a thiefT he broke In. IL regret that
ne forced II upon me before yourself
and your daughter. However, l shall
now relieve you of my ungentlemanly
presence"
"Oh, VIII! No, no! Do not leave
me !" implored Ellen.
Before he could reach the hall door,
way Amy popped into II from the 9TH
er side and outspread her arms to bar
the way.
"You dear old silly" she bantered.
That's all the good 1t did you, knock
Ing down poor Charlie boy. You can't
run away. I've locked the front door,
and I've hidden the key and your hat"
"Miss Lowrie," he sternly replied,
Il will not permit even you to"
"Growly bcarl Growly bear" she
Knocked
He stepped toward her with the evi-
dent purpose of pushing past into the
hall. She darted to meet him, and,
before he could evade her, flung her
arms about his neck. He grasped her
wrists, but her fingers were locked
fast. To have freed himself he must
have resorted to outright violence.
"I-I-Miss Lowrie," he stammered,
"really this isis most"
"Promisel she demanded, clinging
tighter
He looked down into her upturned
face. The starlike brown eyes were
soft with tender affection and bright
with merry triumph. To gaze into
them and remain stern was an impos-
sibility.
, "But L"
"You must-else I'll never, never let
go. You'll have to carry me around
: with you all the time, everywhere"
The embarrassment that had sue
ceeded his sternness gave place in
turn to whimsical look. I've q mind
: to take you at your word"
"You mean-T
"Take you with me-"
She released one hand to stroke his
forehead. "Your poor headW she
soOthed. "There! There"
With a sudden return of irritation,
he sought to draw himself free from
her. She chung to him and again
locked her fingers together.
mo, you don't" she exulted. Its
no use trying to escape. You've got
! to promise"
81 say, Miss Amy" murmured
BENIN. eagerly sitting up, "if should
try to run off, would you"
II promise to remain until Doctor
Kirkland comes" broke in Clinton.
"Oh, you will? And Charles not
hurt !" exclaimed Ellen.
THAT'S a dear old brotherkins !" ap-
proved Amy I'm the same breath, and
she rose on tiptOe with her smiling
lips upturned for his brotherly salute.
BENIN sighed enviOusly. At the sigh
Clinton bent over the temptation. His
lips came so near to the girls that his
mustache grazed the tip of her saucy
: nose. But instead of kissing her on
the mouth, he put up his hand to lift
her backfiung head, and pressed his
: lips reverently to her broad white
forehead.
: II say, now" remarked BENIN. "if
that's not proof you're her brother!
Miss Amy has only to say the word,
and / shall be charmed to illustrate
how one who Is not brother"
: The girl faced the others, leaning
; affectionately on Clinton's shoulder.
ELLEN dear, call Title to fetch a
bucket of Ice water. Poor Charlie
, BENIN is still off his head"
"Tm not" denied BENIN, rising a
trifle unsteadily. ION the contrary, II
, was my head that came near being
. off me-"
Mrs. Kirkland looked earnestly at
Clinton. MAY I suggest that an
apology" she began.
, "From mel" flashed BENIN, with a
heartiness that forestaVed Clinton's
frown. Though I mes as friend,
should not have-er-resorted to
} physical persuasion"
"That is generous Of you, Mr..
BENIN" said Clinton.
swell, you see, you persuaded me,
instead" rallied BENIN. "You pre-
sented deucedly effective argument"
"Oh. II Charlie takes II that way,
WILL" remarked Mrs. Kirkland.
Indeed, yes" added Ellen, regard
ing Amy's sisterly cuddling with a
wistful look. But you'll never do
such a shocking thing again, will your
"That depends" answered Clinton,
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