New Britain herald., 1924-02-08
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

the air on a swing that was formed of a single rope passed from one tree to another. She was child, no more; yet of a well-grown, lissom grace that de- | ceived folk into giving her more than the bare fifteen years she counted to her age. Hers was no rose-and- lily complexion. She displayed the 1 healthy ttan that comes of a life lived in the open far away from cities. Yet one glance into the long shaped, deeply blue eyes that were the glory of her lovely little face sufficed to warn you that though rustic she was not simple. Here was one who pos- sessed full share of that feminine guile which is the heritage from If you were man and wise, you would be most wary when she was most demure.
 Swinging now, her loosened brown hair streamed behind her as she flew forward, and tossed itseelf into a cloud about her face as she went back. And she sang as nearly as possible in rhythm with her swinging;
 Hey, young love! Ho, young love,
 Where do you tarry?
 Whiles here I stay for you
 Waiting to marry
 Hey, young love! Ho, young T"
 The song ended in a scream. un- heard, unsuspected, the stripling had crept forward through the trees. At the tip of her backward swing he had caught her about the waist in his strong young arms. There was a momentary fiutter of two black legs amid an agitated cloud of petticoat, then the rope swung forward, and the nymph was felt in tine arms of her young satyr. But only for a mo- ment. Out Of that grip she broke in a fury-real or pretended-and came to earth breathless, with flushed cheeks and flashing eye.
 You give yourself strange liber- ties, young Randall" said she, and boxed his ears. Who bade you hereg"
 "f 1 thought you called me-" said he, grinning, no whit abashed by either bow or look. Come now, Nan. Confess it!'
 "I called you? I?" She laughed indignantly. Iris very likely! Oh, very likely"
 "You'll deny it, Of course. being a woman in the making. But I heard you" And he quoted for her, sing ing.
 Hey, young love! Ho, young love.
 Where do you tarry?"
 ''l was hiding on the other side Of the wall. came at ance. And all I get for my pains and the risk 10 fairly new pair of brooches is a blow and denial"
 You may get more if you re. main" "I hope so. I had not come else"
 But itll be as little to your lik- ing"
 That's as may be. Meanwhile there's this matter of a blow. Now l blow is a thing take from nobody. For a man there is my sword z"
 Your swordl" She abandoned her self to laughter. And you don't even own a penknife."
 "Oh, yes l do. l own a sword, IL was d gift from my father today, Nan"
 How fast you grow. You'n be a man soon. And SO your father has given you a sword ?" She leaned against the bole of a tree, and sur l Feyed him archly That was very rash Of your rather. You1l be cut ing yourself. I know"
 He smiled. but with a little less of | lis earlieir assurance. But he made 1 l fair recovery
 You are straying from the point" l
 'The point Of your sword, sweet 1 sirg"
 "The point of my discourse. Il Tas concerning this matter of a blow. 1 It you were a man I am afraid I I should have 10 kill you. My honor | Eould demand no less"
 With your sword 2" she asked him I 
 With my sword Of course"
 Ugh. Jack the Giant Killer in a .herry orchardl You must sec you ire out Of pace here. Get you gone. yoy. don't think I ever liked you, Randall Nov I'm sure or it. You're I bioody-minded fellow for all your . tnder years. What you'u he when -Ou're a man l daren't think"
 He swallowed the taunt.
 And what you'll be when you're roman is tho thing delight in think ng. We'll return 10 that. Mean while. this blow ."
 ''Oh. you're tiresome."
 You delay me That is why. I What would do to man who truck me ! have told you"
 'But you can't think believe =ou."
 This time he vas not to be turned side.
 ''Tbe real question is what to do 10
 woman" He approaches her. When I look at you. one punish nent only seems possible"
 He took her by the shoulders in a nip of surprising frmness There las sudden alarm in those eyes Of .ers that hitherto had been go mock rE
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