The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-07-29

AcrOSS their hearthiirc Don and
Daisy looked AT each other. "Nan is
such dear girl" Daisy said. II do
wish she would take little more H..
teroSt In men. really cannot bear To
think Of Nan living alone all her days.
And she Is So prOvokingly distant"
Don smoked ruminatingly.
Like my friend Bob" he remarked.
snow take Bob, good honest fellow.
Kind, gentlemany and successful In
businesS-yet, n woman hater."
"Oh! | shouldn't call him that ex-
actly," Don's wife defended ITS lust
that Bob Reynolds has had so many
fusSy females in his own family that
he is cautious. You know, yourself.
you would hate to risk being tied for
life TO anyone resembling his married
sister Then, too Bob is satisfied i'm
his profession, SO he jus; steers
clear"
but he reeds sympathlzlng un-
-dcrStanding cOmpaEiOn," Don insisted.
Daisy sighed. mo more than my
lone, lovely Nan needs protecting
husband She replied
Then the two involuntarily smiled.
"lf we could manage meeting be-
tween them" suggested Daisy.
Don shook his head. Can't be
done he answered decisively. Every
time invite old Bob out he SUSPECTS
the matchmaking propensity Of the
happily married, and refuses"
Daisy nodded
IL know" she said, "Nan is just that
way. who else is comingY she will
ask me deiinntly."
The fire cracked on. Daisy slipped
over TO the friendly arm Of her nus
bands chair and still sat gazing medi-
tatively into the rosy depths.
Don" she said at last, while we
are In New York next week will you
ask Bob to drop into the fiat occasion
ally and see that things are all right?
Good idea" Don heartily agreed.
Bob will enjoy looking after your
ferhery, Daisy; you know he is an ad-
mirer of yours
Bob was well pleased To Oblige his
friends. The thought of an urinter-
ruptcd evening among Donalj's we'll
chosen books was inviting. lie lifted
the latchkey which his friend had
bestowed upon him and entered the
deserted veStibulc. All was la readi.
ness for his coming. as Don had said.
As he switched on the liying-room
lights he saw dish of polished red
apples on "A table beside the iireSide
chair Several new pieces seemed
placed for his selection on the grand
piano.
lie hastily shut OF the myriad lights
as he dropped to the hearth rug,
leaving the golden shaded lamp alone
for his use. And as Bob bent to build
the fire Inc discarded his coat. From a
rear room came crOOnlngly the chIrp
Of n bird. Bob arose. Don had not
mentioned the added care OF bird,
and here he, Bob, had allowed two
days to elapse before visiting his
friends home after their departure
The tiny creature might he suffering
now for want Of food. Softly, ON the
thick rugs, Bob made his way In the
direction Of the birds murmudngs.
The cage hung in high kitchen win
dow, and standing upon stool before
the cage was girl. The bright lights
of the white kitchen fell upon her
brOEzegOld hair; and presently, as
though sensing his presence. the girl
turned abruptly, and losing ner bal
ance fell with startled cry directly
into BOb's Outstretched arms.
II seemed that he had anticipated
that fall from the moment the girl
turned her white face toward him. A
quick stride found him at the side of
the high stool. II took him some time,
however, TO realize that the young
wOman's alarm was occasloned by his
own presence.
Then Bob, holding her and vainly
To reach the faucet in or
der to dampeD her forehead with re- |
viving water, wondered vaguely how |
in the world this strange young WON
an came to be in the deserted apart |
lucnl WHICH Don dSSuTtu MIN was /
locked against intruders. For mo-
ment the dizzy thought assailed him
that he had mistakenly entered the
wrong apartment. Then the pale
faced young woman found voice.
II don't know" she said. "what you
are doing here" She surveyed Bob's
coatless figure. But If you are a
burglar won't you please gO?'
"Burglarw Bob gasped. lie realized
that the young woman was endeavOr-
ing TO free herself from his close sus-
tanning grasp. Also, that most be-
coming rose color had banlshed the
ashy Wilderness and that her alright
ed eyes We're now glinting dangerous
resentment. Burglar" he repeated.
'Why ] came to look after the ferns.
Don asked me to. I'm his friend"
The young woman, sinking down on
a kitchen chair, stared at him. Not"
she asked mOckingly, "the paragon
Bob Reynolds? l." her tone was ex-
DreSsiyp "haNp heard of VOu Daisy