The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1922-12-01

lent, reclined reading on q cnalse
lengue. 1t occurred to Peter that their
Ideas Of passing a pleasant summer
afternoon were Identical. Daphne
rose and met him, offered her hand
with much cordlality. and bade him
sit down. She took a straight little
bent hickory chair near him.
"Tm so glad you came" she said.
Il was Just wishing somebody very,
very nice would come. Do you know
you haven't been to see me for the
longest timer
Peter stammered something about
never making calls anyway.
but why should your" said
Daphne. with three charming sis
ters az home you don't need to. I'm
afraid you're too content, Peter"
Daphne was a very pretty girl and
nobody who knew her took her
Establishments very seriously. Still
Peter was stirred with a feeling Of
~self-esteem. This very charming
young woman was apparently glad to
see him. TO be sure he hadn't called
on her much lately. When he did the
sisters always %reproved. Sometimes
they said: "Peter, Peter, l am afraid
that you are taking Daphne seriously.
She Is a desperate little flirt."
Peter didn't tell Daphne this.
They talked Of a number of things
for ten minutes. Daphne had been
cycling his bundle, resting on the floor
beside him.
peter, I'm dying to know what's
in that package. You didn't bring me
some candy, did your"
"Pm so sorry" stammered Peter.
swell, l may as well tell you. That
package contains some socks that
need mending. I was trying to find
some seamstress or something that
would darn them for me. I thought
maybe you'd tell me Of ONE one"
"You poor dear" said Daphne very
sweetly. "You have three sisters
and no one to darn your socks. If
had a brother-but then I'm not cleveI
like your sisters" Daphne paused
and her lovely eyes dropped. TheI
she looked up at Peter temptingly. "
don't happen to know a seamstress-
but, really, I'd be so happy II you,
let me darn them for you. VIII your
She hesitated, and as Peter did no
object she reached out for the pack
age and put 1t In the chair besid
him.
Daphne, you're too good" Pete
heard himself saying, looking lntenI
ly In her face. He was ~wonderin
whether she was having lmmens
sport with him or whether really sh
:, cared for him. Any man living woul
give his right. hand to possess the Low
I, Of Daphne Coolidge. He had neyC
taken her very seriously because
v occurred to him hat he had
chance among all her admirers.
. "Peter-Peter dear" Dahpne sal
"why are you looking at me Ill
that3"
" II was Just trying to see whethl
! you were making fun Of me-"
Daphne's mouth dropped like tn
{ Of a disappointed child. Making fl
: Of you |" she said. peter, Peter, he
can you ask7 ! have asked to da
! your socks. III darn these and
. many more as you want me to.
u don't know any n else I would
u that for"
=, Daphne, do you mean that
Il Events In Peters life had been rus
. ing forward at such a furious spe
y within the last quarter Of an no
:, that he could hardly get his bearing
Here was the most beautiful girl
the world giving him an opportunI
: to say things that he had new
&c dreamed he would have a chance
say. She was willing to darn |
socks always. Could anything
:, more pOinted7
= Daphne, dearlne, Daphne" Pc
said, SELLING her hand that offered
&c resistance. Daphne, l love you
Y distraction. I always have loved "
Could you ever love me-"
y ever love your" said Daphne, a
|" her limp little shoulders shook W
sobs and her free hand dried tel
y that welled In her eyes, Peter, l
always loved you-yOu and no {
az else. Peter, Peter, you have been
VI blind"