Evening star., 1922-03-19

He said it SO fervently he quite be-
lieved it.
Then why dangle:" asked Amy.
pleasantly. There's any number OF
younger. prettier girls in Greenfields
than I. Have I asked you to dangle?
On the contrary. / should say"
Amy" reproached Ray. you were
not bit like this when 1 went
away: -
"certaialy not" said Amy. 'I was
perfectly crazy about you then. you
know. But you were away some
time"
And Henry stayed right here"
Henry certainly stayed right here"
admitted Amy.
There was a considerable silence.
and a meaningful one.
You'd never be happy with Henry"
said Ray.
Amy kept discreetly and provok-
ingly still. She felt sure that the
hour of Rays submission was at hand.
Nor was she disappointed. His ar
dent voice and his romantic pose
fitted in admirably with the moon
light and the fragrant. deserted gar
ICED it.
Listen" he said. "I've been all
over this world and I've known wo-
men everywhere, but I've never cared
for one of them as ! care for you.
I've always meant to came back to
you-and here I am. I've always
loved you. Amy. Don't you believe
me-. Don't you trust me?"
He waited-quite sure Of her. But
Amy waited. too. And then she an
swered very thoughtfully.
mo. Ray-that's just it. l don't
trust you. You're interesting and
amusing and appealing, and you can
make any one care for you-'
Can II" broke in Ray. Can I: Car
and day. il that's true. but try to make
you love me-"
And when he went away q little
later Amy owned to herself that per-
haps-perhaps he might succeed.
Miss; Henrietta Bird waylaid Amy
a morning or 50 later as she passed.
for once alone. She waived at her
from the upstairs gallery.
Come in here, Amy. for goodness
sake" she called. She ran DOWN
stairs and drew the girl into the old
fashioned drawing room, with its
ancient walnut furniture. its long
unused harp. with its row of. family
portraits.
Amy. my DEAR began Miss Henri
eta, you'll say I'm nothing but q
meddling old woman. but I can't see
this thing go on without saying my
say to you"
MY did not pretend to misunder-
"A stand. you mean Ray and Hen
~, don't you, Miss Henrietta?" she
asked sweetly. II wish You would
tell me what you think. Mothers
disguised with me and father thinks
I'm crazy-and I can't talk to any one
else about it,
You're 4 sweet child. exclaimed
Miss Henrietta. jumping up and CIV
ing Amy a spontaneous hug, land
you've got plenty of sense, Amy. 1
don't blame you Tor wanting to lead
both Of them = dance. especially Ray,
for he thinks he's such q fascinator,
and 50 he is. the dear; but there's
such a thing as overplaying your
hand. you know, and IL I were you
I'd END the matter pretty soon. I'm
saying everything in the most mixed
up way. but you know what mean"
eyes, know what you mean," said
Amy. But I'll tell you. honestly,
Miss Henrietta, I don't know what
to decide" :.
rays in earnest-this time, isn't
her asked Miss Henrietta, a little
hesitantly.
Amy flushed. ''Yes. he's in earnest"
she said, this time"
"And it's only fair for you to pun
ish him q little, my dear, Of course"
went on Miss Henrietta garrulously.
:But If you're going to take him,
don't punish him too much, can
quite see how hard it 10 to decide,
Ldfe'd never be dull II you married
Ray. But-life'd never be cruel IL
you married Henry"
Amy got up to 90. ''You've said 1t,
Miss Henrietta, =" she said. 'but you
haven't said which is preferable.
dullness or cruelty"
Miss Henrietta stamped her foot.
"ohw she exclaimed. ''if Henry only,
had, a little Of Rays deviltry."
Amy went away with those words
ringing through her head. She was
to 70 that very afternoon TO play golf
with Henry. and when he came for
her she studied him impatiently. Why
should he be SO splendidly dependable,