The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-07

ne OIun go ODs She SpOkS. You mean that you-that f-that Shad forced me on your" "Bless your heart, child-no."
 Then what did you mean?" she in- sisted.
 Peter thought he had definite idea in his mind tbout what he felt as to their relationship. It was a1trustic he knew, gentle he was sure, educational he was positive. But half sleepily he spoke. unaware that what he said might sound differently to one of Beth's independent mind
 'I mean" he said, that I wanted to look after you-that I wanted our friendship to be what it has proved to be-without the flaw of sentim ent. I wouldn't spoil a single hour by any thought of yours or mine that led us away from the music.'
 And then, while her brain worked rapidly over this calm negation of his, 'But you can't be unaware, Beth, that you're very lovely.
 Now sentiment" is a word over which woman has a monopoly. It is her property. She understands its many uses as no man can ever hope to do. The man who losses it care lessly into the midst of a delicate situation is counting trouble. Beth perked up her head like a startled fawn, What did he mean? All that was feminine in her was up in arms, nor did she lay them down in sur render at his last phrase, spoken with such an unf1attering air of common place.
 Suddenly she startled Peter with a ripping laugh which made him sit up blinking at her. Are you apologiz- in for not maxim love to me?" she questioned impertinently. "Say-that's funny" And she went off into an other discincerting peal of laughter.
 But it wasn't funny for Peter. who was now made aware that she had turned his mind inside out upon the table between them, so to speak, that she might throw dust in the wheels. And so he only gasped and stared at her-startlingly convinced that in matters of sentiment the cleverest man is no match for even the dullest woman and Beth could hardly be con- sidered in this category. At the chal- lenge of his half-expressed thought the demureness and sobriety of the lesson hour had fallen from her like a doffed cloak.
 Peter protested bland1y.
 You don't understand what-'
 But she broke in swiftly. Maybe you were afraid I might be fa1lin' in love with you" she twitted him, and bust into laughter again.
 TT had no such expectation" said Peter, stiffening. sure that his dignity was a poor thing.
 "Or maybe" she went on joy fully, maybe you were afraid you might be fallin' in love with me- And then as she rose and gathered up her music, tantaliZingly, What did you mean. MT. Nichols?"
 He saw that he was losing ground with every word she uttered, but his sense of humor conquered.
 ''You little pixiet' he chied, flashing for her, with a laugh. Where have you hidden this streak of impudence all these weeks ?"
 But she eluded him nimbly, running around the table and out of the door before he could catch up with her.
 He halted at the doorsill and called to her. She emerged cautiously from behind a bush and made a face at him.
 Beth! Come backi' he entreated ''I've got something to say to you".
 What?" she asked, tenporizing
 I want to talk to you-serfousiy"
 Good Lord-seriously You're not goin' toto take the risk of-of hav- in me 'vamp' you, are you?"
 "Yes- I'll risk that" he grinned But she only broke off a leaf and nibbled at it contempIatively. Maybe I won't risk it. T don't want to spoil a single hour" she repeated, mock ing his dignity. by any thought of yours or mine that would lead us away from the music Maybe I'm a danger" And then, You know you're not so bad lool1in' yourself, Mir Mich ols!"
 Stop teasing, Beth"
 ''I won't"
 'I'1l make you.' He moved a step toward her.
 Maybe hadn't better come any more," she said quizzicaIly.
 "Beth!'
 Suppose I was learnin' to love you little" she went on ironically, with you scared I might be-and not know in how to get out of it. Wouldn't that be terribIel For me, I mean. She loved and lost. in seven reels.,"
 She was treading on precar1ous ground, and she must have seen her danger in Peters face for, as he came toward her she turned and ran down the path. laughing at him Pe- ter followed in full stride, but she ran like a deer, and by the time he had reached the creek she was already halfway over the log-jam below the pool Her laugh still derided him and now, eager to punish her, he leaped after her But so intent he was on keeping her in sight upon the farther bank that his foot slipped on a tree tnRnk and he went into the water gay peal of laughter echoied in his ears. And he caught g. last glimpse of her light frock as it vanished into the underbrush. But he scra ambled up the bank after her and darted along the path-lost her in the dusk. and then deep Tn the woods at one side saw her fitting from tree to tree away from him. But Peters blood was now warm with the chase-and 1t was the blood of Peter Nicholaevitch, too. For gotten were the studious hours of pa- uence and toll Here was a girl who challenged his ascetic:sm-a beautiful young female animal who dared to mock at his self-restraint She thought that she could get away But he gained on her. She had stopped laughing at his now.
 Beth! You little devil," he cried breathlessly as he caught her. You little devil. I'll teach you to laugh at me"
 sT.et me ro-~