Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-23

force Of habit: like sheep. Or to
show of O pretty hand; one girf he'd
known mad certainly smoked for no
other reason. But no liked Ethel
TO light for him his own cigarette.
to, send two puffs of smoke
spiraling into the summers Dir, he
fore she placed 1t between his lips.
All" he sighed blissfuily.
Them having smoked for a minute
only. he tossed down the cigarette,
carefully extinguishing its tip in
the peaty soil. He tossed OF his
cap. flung himself backward. laid
his head in Ethels lap. and looked
up, reversed, into her face.
Happy" asked the girl softly.
Utterly happy-except for one
thing"
sWhat?"
"Hate being only engaged. Hate
not Knowing when things can be
definitely flxed up"
She gave an odd little WISE sound
ing laugh as she looked away from
him across the sweep Of purple to
the cove far below them. with rocks
and pools where ribbon weed waved
and curled and made mysterious
depths OF brown and jade color.
She thought. Bother, why didn't 1
bring q bathing costume? Ii We
were not only engaged we could
run down there and swim together:
he's never seen me swim. What a
pity
Penny for your thoughts, Ethel.
darling"
u was thinking that perhaps
this Is the happiest kind OF engage
ment after all. Just because 1t is so
indefinite! No worry about fixing.
70 ~ 80
l believe that's why it suits you.
Archie. DO you know. can't
imagine you-married."
Indeed, miss. Pray how can you
imagine my finishing fmy bright
'Oh -" BY something pictur-
esquely tragic, perhaps whom the
gods love- touch. y Perhaps
swimming across dividing waters to
get to me. and being drowned In
your youth and beauty. like Leander
MN. Thoughtful OF you"
They laughed lazily: subsidized into
reverie. He murmured something
soon, you know" And, "Those
friends of Sir Kobe's. Wish they'd
write about me. ."
There may be n letter when we
get In she suggested. Lady Kobe
was going to- call at the postofficc.
l know ." unconscious of what
was even then being fetched). 81
say" she shifted luxuriously. isn't
this heather scent divine."
Nice smell. said Archie, seriously.
oh. perfectly good smell"
She touched the satin CLOSED
read ON her knees to smooth 1t, then
l.
Put It back" gruntcd Archie.
Il thought you didn't like having
your hair rumpled or touched, per-
haps."
tive always loathed Il, as q mat
ter OF fact '"'I like you TO,
though" said he. boyishly.
Then, as II he'd just thought OF
something, he sat up. He made tho
swiftest movement Of hands to his
head.
From that carefully groomed
cleaning cap Of satin, he shook out
his thick. fine hair into a mop.
49, You think perhaps It would be
sticky? Nullement. He used no
that rerbena-lotion, much washing,
and pressing down with his palms.
Now he shook out that adorable
mop of gold silk. He brushed It
against her throat, her cheeks.
Smooth It all down again for
me-" he coaxed. with her hands
she smoothed, coifcd him once more.
She whispered. "Archie-Archie!
Oh, but why did you do that? 1t
made mo feel az if--as IL you'd
given me something" she said very
shyly. that nobody else has had
well. They haven't"
You meant 1t for that?"
Yes, darling. You understood
My sweet! Yes"
Then. Archie-I want to tell you
something" :,
Eyes. What?"
Since yesterday When I was
such beast to you----'
You were-WelI?"
We'll. something has seemed 70
come all right. Those other girls
-"
Pause. - A gull wheeled and
cried and disappeared. Young Lave
rock. his eyes on the sea. waited.
she said, wonderingly. Those
other loves. - They don't matter.
l know they're all over. That's Mi
past. None OF them can ever come
again"
But / told you that"