The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-03-13

all, who assuredly had no interest
In me.
/ should have been exceedingly
glad to see Luke. and, OF course.
was. ! was also, of course, ex,
: tremely interested In discussing our
future arrangements. SO told my
self, severely. / sat up little
straighter on tie bench. shook out
my dress with hand that glittered
with Luke's Jewels, and deliberately
assumed my share In the talk.
+. ut seems o very good plan" I
said. THAT would mean about
three months from now, wouldn't
II? i should want quite that time
to get my things, you know" g.
ooh, get your things. as many as
you like, and don't spare them"
said Luke. II tell you what, Dara,
that island is going to be more OF
q bonanza than ever you and I had
any idea" ."
He talked on and on. Luke had
not been a chattering sort of boy in
the old days. and I did not think he
was-usually-nAch Of talker. in
all probability. now; but the cir.
cumstances were not usual. There
were but "a few hours before the
boat went out again, and he had
the ACCUMULATED news. feelings,
hopes Of more than Eve years to
let out.
l. sat beside him on the moon
white bench, silent. listening to him.
He had much to tell me about my
self ,:once the food of natural,
voting, egotistical talk had had full
rnI. / was 20 take great care Of
my health. and not to get chilis apd
not to get fever and not to stay out
too, long In the sun or go swimming
without bathing hat l.,
And here he broke of to tell me,
with sparkling eyes, about the
swimming races he had won, and
the long and high Jump medals that
he held.
We'll" said Luke, switching of
again, I've got those medals. and
| shall have them made into the
prettiest kind of . belfcIasp tor; you
that Sydney can manage.:f But
thereM never be any more. I have
planned out all our life; Dara. n
looks a long, long road, and
sunny one, with pleasant things all
the way. They say no one Il happy
Well, | think you and are going to
break that record = aren't we.
girlie?"
Almost shy,y he let that wander
ing arm on the back Of the seat
drop lower round my shoulders, and
turning my unresisting face to his
kissed me once-twice. | kissed
him back: thought It was polite
that ! should do so. Luke set bis
hands on my shoulders and looked
at me long and steadily In the bril-
liant moonlight ...
"You are MT much changed after
all, Dara," ne said. There was
something strange in his tone; the
fire and sparkle. the eager talka.
tiveness OF few minutes past
seemed to have suddenly died away.
"Are you sure-are you quite sure
that you wjsh-that / am not
hurrying you in settling all this?
You haven't been saying very
much"
Suddenly felt afraid, as one does
feel afraid of those whose nearness
to one either in blood or In long
association gives them the fearful
power Of reading ones soul. ! did
not want mine to be read-I did not
know why. ..
"Oh," I cried, bursting into sud
den talk, you didn't give me a
chance, you had so much to say;
but, OF course, l agree with every
thing. I shall send to Sydney for
my things-David Farmers is the
place, isn't It? And I'll remember
everything you told me about being
careful and all that. was awfully
interested in the things you've been
telling me. And about the medals
and how you got so famedv-and
the School of Mines. OF course, |
am interested-and delighted. How
could you think"--.
"All right, ] didn't think" said
Luke, consolingly. ......
The shade of disappointment
cleared away from his face. l,
whom many lad lovers in these
Isles of Love had made wise be.
yond my years, could guess what
was in his mind. He Is thinking"
l said to myself. that am nothing
but a child still. Now that's alb
surd!" But / said no more.
Away on the dancing veranda the
violins began again, with the firm
notes Of the piano marching stead
lily beneath. / leaned out and list
ened. The music trembled, lifted
and swept with a swing that seemed
to reach from stars to earth. into
the one great waltz Of the world.
blue Danube! Blue DANUBE"
cried, jumping to my feet. Lets
not miss this" ...
"All right" answered Luke, put
ting on his coat. 81 shouldn't like
p to miss the old Danube myself
Come along"
The great verandas OF the Resi-