The Jasper news., 1920-12-02

her equally startled mother.
| "Pray pardon mel" he said. 'Do
not be alarmed. He'll be all right in a
few moments. could not stand
for his laying hands on me-"
ITO think that you could have 20
forgotten yourselfI" reproved Mrs,
Kirkland.
"Was / to endure being treated as
thiefT he broke In. II regret that
he forced It upon me before yourself
and your daughter. However, l shall
now relieve you Of my ungentlemanly
presence"
"Oh, Will No. mol Do not leave
mel" lmplored Ellen.
Before he could reach the hall door.
way Amy popped into Il from the 9TH
er side and outsprend her arms to bar
the way.
sYou dear old silly" she bantered.
that's all the good It 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,
II will not permit even you to-"
"Growly bearl Growiy bear - she
mocked.
He stepped toward her with the evl.
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.
T-I-Miss Lowrie." he stammered,
really this isis most"
"Promisel" she demanded. clinging
tighter.
He looked down into her upturned
face. The starllke 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 a whimsical look. "Tve a mind
to take you at your word"
"YOu mean-P
Take you with me-"
She released one hand to stroke his
forehead. "Your poor headI" she
soothed. "Therel Therei"
With sudden return Of Irritation.
he sought to draw himself free from
her. She clung 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"
II say, Miss Amy" murmured
BENIN. eagerly sitting up. "if l should
| try to run off, would you"
Il promise to remain until Doctor
Kirkland comes" broke In Clinton.
"Oh. you WIFI And Charles not
hurt T' exclaimed Ellen.
That's a dear old brotherlIins !" ap-
she rose on tiptOe with her smiling
lips upturned for his brotherly salute.
BENIN sighed envlously. 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 backflung head, and pressed his
lips reverently to her broad white
forehead.
II say, nOw," remarked BENIN, 'lf
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 a brother"
The girl faced the others, leaning
affectionately on Ciintons shoulder
ELLEN dear, call Tillie to fetch a
bucket of Ice water. Poor Charlie
BENIN is still off his head"
"rm not" denied BENIN, rising a
trlfle unsteadlly. ION the contrary. It
was my head that came near being
off me-"
Mrs. Kirkland looked earnestly at
Clinton. May suggest that an
apology" she began.
"From mel" flashed BENIN. with a
heartiness that fOrestalled Clinton's
frown. Though meant 1t as friend
should not have-er-resorted to
physical persuasion"
THAT is generous of you. Mr..
Bemm." said Clinton.
"Well, you see. you persuaded me.
instead" rallied BENIN. "You pre-
sented a deucedly effective argument"
"Oh. II Charlie takes 1t that way.
| VViII rama rkad Mrs Kirkl0nd