Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-02-16


white, and bid US all to come and
dance at the weddingl But in the
Mother mustn't blame some
one who has just little more discern
ment than-well. young Brevoort, for
example, for seeing that her tame
dove Is really a wild little seaguli
starving for the sea. And you don't
want to fall in love with one Of these
lads for year or two, anyway"
"Oh, my, mol" Nina felt the express
sion inadequate, but her breath had
been taken away. The man had
turned about a little, his eyes were
all for her, and his arm, laid carelessly
along the back of the green bench,
almost touched the white ruffles. They
were In full sight of the house, too,
and If Lettice or Anna came back,
they would see Nina in deep and last
ing conversation with the man that all
the older women were so mad about
You don't. But-what?" He bent
his dark head.
Il said, But don't know how you
knew it," Nina repeated, looking
down in her overwhelming self-con-
sciousness, but with a smile of utter
happiness and excitement.
A second later she looked up in
some alarm. He was silent-she had
somehow said the awkward thing
again! Nina's heart fluttered nerv-
ouSly.
But what she saw reassured her
Royal Blondin had squared himself
about, and had folded his arms, and
was staring darkly into space.
How knew it !" he said in a half
whisper, as if to himself, after a full
half-minute of silence that thrilled
Nina to the soul. Child don't know
Some day you and 1 will read books
together-wonderful books And then
perhaps we will begin to understand
the cosmic secret-why your soul
reaches out to mine-why not only
want to know you better, but why it is
my solemn obligation to take the ex-
quisite thing your coming into my life
may mean to US both! You and have
somehow found each other in all this
wilderness of lies and affectations, and
we're going to be friends, aren't we?"
"I-hope we are.' Nina said, clear
ing her throat, with a bashful laugh
You know we are!" Royal Blondin
amended. And in a musing tone he
added: I'm afraid was little bitter
few hours ago. And then saw you,
just an honest, brave, bewildered little
orfrl &hA n
all make such fuss about nothing
clothes and bridge parties and din
nersl-
"They never say anything worth
while!" Nina safe, with daring. There
was exquisite homage In the dropped,
listening head, the eyes that smiled
so close to her own. But if l tell
Mother that, she thinks I'm crazy!"
she added, lapsing into the school YER
nacular against desperate effort to
sustain the conversation at his level.
Because you're a little natural
rebel" interpreted the man, smilingly.
Those eyes of yours say that. And it
doesn't make for happiness, Little
Girl /" he warned her.
Nina narrowed her eyes, and stared
into the green garden. She was not
wearing her glasses today, and hers
were fine eyes, albeit trifie promi-
nent, and with a somewhat strained
expression.
"Oh, 1 know thati" she said. 81 like
the girls and boys-truly l do, and I
am popular with them all, l know
thatI But cases =" said Nina with
scorn.
Dear Heaven!" Royal said under
his breath "NO-no-no-that's not
for you'll" he murmured. "And yet"
and he turned upon her a look that
Nina was to remember with thrill in
the waking hours of the summer night
-"and yet, is it kindness to wake you
up, child?" he mused. rs it right to
show you the full beauty of that quest
ing soul of yours?"
! 1t was said as if to himself, as If
he thought aloud. But Nina answered
| 1t.
81 often think" she said, mirthfully
'that If people knew what was
thinking, they'd go crazy! / manage
to keep the appearance of doing ex-
actly what the others do, and 1 laugh
and fiirt Just as If that was the only
thing in life! If people want to think
1 am a butterfly, why, let them think
so! My friend Miss Hawkes. says that
I have two natureS-but l don't know
about thatl"
She looked up at him to find his
eyes fixed steadily upon her, and
flushed happily, with a fast-beating
heart
with one of those natures have
nothing to do" Royal said. But the
other l claim as my friend. Come
how about it? Are we going to bt
father. you know; you may tel
Mother that 1t is perfectly safe. VIII
you give me your hand on it-and your
eyes? Good grill And now I'll take
you back to be scolded for running
away from your friends for so long
I'm dining with Mother tomorrow
Shall 1 see you?"
"Oh, yes--if Mother lets me come
DOWN." f1uttered Nina. But, no
we're to be at Granny's!" she remem
bered.
"Soon, theni" He left her in tht
circling group, but all the world saw
him kiss her hand. Nina wandered
about in a daze of pleasure and salts
faction for another half-hour, paying
attentions to Mothers poky friend!
with a sparkle and charm that amazed
them. Presently Ward and the demur'
Amy Hawkes. found her; the car wa!
waiting. Miss Field, Ward said, was
no longer at the tea table; she haC
left a message to the effect that sh'
was walking home and would be there
as soon as they we're.
He asked Amy and Nina, whose IRE
pressible gossip and giggling met will
only silence and scOwls from his su
periOr altitude ia they knew why Mis-
Harriet had decided TO walk. The.