Graham guardian., 1921-08-26

"Mr. Lloyd Is coming overt" Alix
announced. Peter nodded absently.
but the mention OF Martin Lloyd re-
minded him that they had all dlned
ut his house on the very evening when
the mysterious gale had commenced,
and with Interest he asked:
Cherry catch cold coming home
Tuesday nightf"
"No; she squeezed in between Dad
and me, and was as warm as toast y
Alix answered casually. "How'd you
like Mr.. LloydT" she added,
mice fellowl" Peter answered.
"He's awfully nice" Alix agreed.
"Who Is he7" Peter asked curiously.
"Where are his people and all that"
"His people live In Portland" the
girl answered. "He's a mining en-
gineer, and he's waiting now to be
called to Ell Nido; he's to be at mine
there. He's lots Of fun-when you
know him, really!"
Talking of the new Prince Charm
ing, Of course" Anne said, joining
them, and linking an arm In her un-
cle's and In Alix's arm. "Don't bring
that puppy in, Alix, please! Break
fast, Uncle Lee. Come and have an
other cup of coffee, Peter!"
prince Charming, eh?" Peter
echoed thoughtfully, as they all
turned toward delicious drift Of the
odor of bacon and coffee, and crossed
the porch to the dining room. ~ was
going down for the mail, but now I'll
have to stay and see this rose matter
through Thanks. Anne, but I'll
watch you. Where's Cherryf" he
added, glanclng about.
Cherry answered the question her.
self by trailing In In Japanese wrap
per. and beginning to drink her coffee
with bare, slender arms resting on the
table. Nobody protested, the adOred
youngest was usually given her way.
II heard you all laughing, under
the window and it-wOke--me--up
Cherry said dreamily.
1T seems to me-" Anne, who had
been eyeing her uneasily, said lightly,
"that some one know Is getting pret-
ty old to come downstairs in that rig
when strangers are here p
ut seems to me this Is just as de-
cent as lots Of things-bathing suits,
for instance" Cherry returned In
stantly, gathering the robe about her,
and giving Anne resentful glance
over her blue cup.
~ have a rope somewhere" the
doctor eliminated. "Where did I put
that long rope-what did ] have II
for, In the first place"
"You had 1t to guy the apple tree"
Alix reminded him. "The tree that
died after ALL"
"Ah, yes" said her father, his at
tentive face Frightening. "Ah, yes
Now where is that roper" But even
as Alix observed that she had seen II
somewhere, and advanced q tentative
guess as to the cellar, his eyes fell
upon Cherry, and went from Cherry's
absorbed face-for she was dreaming
over her breakfast---to Peter, and he
wondered II Peter had kissed her.
Come on, let's get at til" Alix OK.
claimed with relish. ''Come on,
Sweetums," she added, to the dog.
She caught his forepaws, and he
whipped his beautiful tail between
his legs, and looked about with agon-
lied eyes while she dragged him
through clumsy dance. Hes the
darllngest pup we ever had !" Alix
stated to Cherry, who was departing
for the upper regions and complete
costume.
"Bring your cigarette out here, Pc.
ter" the old doctor said, crossing tho
garden to look in the abandoned
greenhouse for his rope. "Its not
here" he stated. Then he began
again, "You brought Cherry home last
nightr he asked.
"As a matter of fact, | didn't" Pc.
ter answered, In his quick, precise
tones II came with Lloyd and Cherry
as far as the bridge, then cut up tho
hill. Whyf" he added sharply.
"what's upf"
"Nothing's up" Doctor Strickland
said slowly. "But think Lloyd ad-
mires--or is beginning to admire
her." he said.
"Who--Cherry" Peter exclaimed,
with dlstaste and incredulity In his
tone.
''You don't think so2" the doctor.
looking at him wistfully, asked eas-
erly.
"Why, certainly notl" Peter said,
his face very red. "She's much
younger than Anne and Allx--"
"It doesn't always go by that" the
doctor suggested.
"No, I know 1t doesn't" Peter an
swered in his quick, annoyed fashion.
II should be sorry" Cherry's father
admitted.
"Sorryl" Peter echoed lmpatiently.
"But it's quite out of the question, Of
coursel It's quite out Of the ques-
tion. She-she wouldn't consider him
for an Instant" he suddenly decided
In great satisfaction. "You mustn't
forget that she has something to do
with It'll Very fastidous, Cherry.
She's not like other glrlsW
That's true-that's truep Doctor
agreed, in great relief.
They turned back toward the garden,
In time to meet Allx and several dogs
streaming across the clearing. Over
the girls shoulder was colled the
great rope; she leaped various logs
and small bushes as she came, and