Evening star., 1923-05-04

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conversation as she approached.
lack always had a pleasant smile and
u handshake for her. To her that
meant happy moment. and a happy
time looking forward to the stroll
together later on.
II shall have something to tell you
as we walk home together" he whis-
pered. as she was turning away.
These words fitted through her
thoughts all day Never had her
nimbIo fingers worked more rapidly
in filling her baskets.
What had he to tell her." The
girls heart throbbed faster at the
thought 1t could he but one thing
that he loved her. Mrs. Nudge
had told her: Never listen to mans
protestation of love unless he asks
YOU in the same breath TO become his
wife, She would remember that.
She wondered il it would be quite
all right to mention to him what
Mrs. Nudge had said to her in case
he did not say anything about mar
rying. Mrs. Nudge had told her SO
much on the subject she grew quite
muddled as to how she should lead
up to the marrying part of il. When
she reached home she quickly un-
earthed her treasures from an old
cneSC DGnedt1 ICT col DeI. " IllCll
was a copy of the love story of
Romeo and the beautiful Juliet. and
two other sentimental tales in well
bethumbed,, a very old magazine
which she had borrowed from Mrs.
Nudge.
She wondered what her grandfather
would say when he came to him to
ask him for her--his trea asure.. More
than likely he would go into tow
ering rage and throw him bodily
from the house if she were not with
him to protect him usual
The second tale was about Mime
haha, the beautiful Indian maiden.
and how she had left her fathers
tent TO follow the stranger and be-
come his wife.
II Jack would ask in the same
words that either Romeo or Hiawatha
did. she would know just what to say
in answering him. In case he didn't,
she would be all at sea. But she
must be sure that he talked marry.
She was sorry beyond words that she
did not have the pretty new dress
which Mrs. Nudge had just finished
with her to slip into. Her authority
on love and courtship had also inn
pressed upon her mind that d lover
is more apt to speak of love and mar
riage when a maiden is looking her
prettiest.
All that afternoon her little hands
trembled so that she could hardly
gather her shells. For the first time
she came up with her baskets but
half filled. The Overseer of the fish
cries frowned.
When nonsense fills girls head
she's no good for work." he remarked.
Jil-Bett made no reply. How could
she make an angry retort when her
heart was so filled with joy?
NO doubt you will work better to-
marked grimly. glancing in the di-
rection of Jack. who at that moment
was laying down his heavily laden
baskets.
The words puzzled Jill -Bett. but the
next instant she had quite forgotten
them in thinking of Jack.
You may be thankful / did not
complain about you to your grand
father" the man said as parting
shot: "a hot time would result from
1t regarding some one l know.
Jil-Bett only laughed as she threw
back her dark. curly head. dancing
away with a heart in her bosom as
light as feather.
She waited at the bend in the path
where she was wont to await him.
Mrs. Nudge had warned her, too.
that she must beware of kisses. If
Jack should suggest kissing her. she
wondered what she should say or do
regarding it. even though he bad
talked marry" and she had consent
ed, with the provso she would bc
very glad to. providing her grandfather
was quite willing"
No doubt he would reply that they
must go hand in hand to him at once
and settle the doubt, if there was any
III that moment she thought of Ben
Ali. Would her grandfather tell Jack
about him? She wished she had
dared tell him of her love for Jack.
begging him to love him. too. and con-
sent.
Her heart was in the hope that she
would marry Jack before he returned.
She would have protector and he
would not dare to try to harm her.
ever become the bride of another I
will shake the dust of Katar off my
feet forever"
1t takes so little to warm the heart
and brighten the life of youth. Jill
Belts heart beat fast and the color
came ano went on her cheeks as
she waited in the path for Jack to
join her.
He was not long in coming. He
smiled when he saw her. thinking
what a pretty picture she made with
the background of rich green leaves
and Towering date trees.
IF you are not In hurry home
we will take the path by the waters
edge" he suggested, to which Jil-Bett
readily acquiesced. Any path while
walking home by his side seemed all
too short.
They strolled along, he seeming
even this silence was filled with con-
tentment for her.
Let US sit here for little while.
Jn-Bett, where we can watch the
sunlight on the water. To me it is
the pleasantest spot in all katar." he
said.
Her eyes sought his. TT was here
Just where we are standing now, that
/ came across you on that morning
not SO long since. but which seems
ages ago. ] do not know how 1t hap
pened that took the longest path by
the waters edge that day. 1t must
have been fate"
'I don't know as the life you saved
will ever amount to much. There are
times when l wish it had drffted out
then and there. 1t is such a strain
on my heart, this mighty striving to
lift the dark cloud which has settled
like a pail on my memory. and find
myself again"
"We-I-I mean you-would be hap
pier if you would try to forget all
about It and just live for the future
t;od did not intend that you should
die. or you would not have been
spared. He has some other work
something else-which He wants you
lack shook his head moodily. IT
could have been spared from this
world as we'll as not. Had / died
then. or if die tomorrow, there
would be no broken heart behind me