The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-06-09

DuSlneSSlike fashion, i've made all the
necessary arrangements, but thought
you might like to talk them over be-
fore they go into effect"
'You're too kind" she gushed. II
wouldn't dream Of spelling or even
criticizing any plans you may have
made"
That's good. Because you see, Gym
thia, I've agreed to let Elsie buy the
Odds and Ends. I'm lending her the
money to do it with because she didn't
have any of her own. She'll pay me
back in quarterly installments and
won't charge you any commission on
the deal at all And you needn't
bother about the wedding breakfast,
or whatever you would like to have.
Flossie will see to all that"
'sFlossie" Her sister-in-law's name
seemed to release her from the trance
of establishment into which she had
fallen. Il begin to see now. She put
you up to this"
Indeed she didn't" he answered
composedly. $50 far from doing so
she told me I'd have to work out my
own climax"
rs that what you call climax"
"Oh, lord yes" he sighed. Il have
such gentle nature that it's agony
to me to get myself all worked up
to being masterful with a woman, but
once am worked up nothing can stop
me-" He gestured toward the rigid
walls Of Audubon. ''You have just
as much chance of moving that
old chap couple of feet or so be-
fore we go back down, Cynthia, as you
have of keeping me from marrying
you"
Her own voice grew gentle, almost
tender. "Oh, 1 think not, Geoff.
There'd have to be papers to sign in
the matter of the shop, you know. l
won't sign 'em. And never heard of
a clergyman-or justice of the peace
either-who would marry a girl that
simply kept her mouth shut when she
was asked DO you take etc."
1T would be an obstacle" he ad-
mitted, "but not an insurmountable
one. However-there are preparatory
measures that can be taken"
He rose in so leisurely a fashion
that she was entirely unprepared for
what happened. He picked her up from
the rock as though she had been
Tenny, pressed her head against his
shoulder with one hand, and sat down.
'Now," he said, I'm going to kiss you
and keep on kissing you until you stop
acting like silly child and say you'll
marry me- And you've got to say you
love me first" he went on doggedly.
'You haven't played fair with me, Gym
thia. You promised me, that last
morning in the old house, that when
you found you were in love with me
you'd tell me So"
Il didn't promised"
Don't quibble," he said sternly.
"You promised with your eyes!" He
kissed them, one after another.
"And I'm not in love with you'll"
Cynthia, Cynthia! Such lovely ly-
ing lips" He kissed her lips.
II hate you!"
"All right-all right" he soothed
her. $50 you shall, if it gives you the
least bit Of pleasure. Railways planned
to make my wife happy"
''I'n not be your wife"
And at that the floods were loosed,
the storm broke. She felt his heart
begin to pound, heard his breathing
quicken. She was swept away on a
tide of love: kisses that fell on her
lips, her throat, her hair; words that
set the blood racing in her own tenn
pies; arms which folded her so close,
so tenderly, so masterfully that she
knew they would never let her go.
And then the miracle happened!
Geoff felt two slender arms free them
selves to be lifted and laid about his
neck. He felt the lips beneath his ar
dent ones returning his kiss. He heard
voice. very low, very meek, very
happy, say: II don't hate you at all.
Geoff. II love you! :"
They talked 1t over going down
Boulder canyon.
II can't be married without Miss
Mona. Geoffw
That's all right. Wen have an
other wedding when we get to New
York. 1t wouldn't be proper for us to
travel together If we were just en-
gagged"
II couldn't be married that soon.
anyway, Geoff, I'll need a lot of
clothes"
'You have that amber satin dress
you only wore a couple of times" he
reminded her thriftily. mo use buy
Ing a trousseau when you have that
perfectly good outfit. slippers and ALL"
She laughed shakily. "Just the
thing TO be married In. I supposed"
"N-no. Now come to think Of 1t,
I'd rather you'd be married in white.
Veil. orange blossome and all. I'm
conservative about my marriages.
always require my bride to look the
part"
"GeOff. you're the worlds prize
idiot"
I'm sure OF IL. darling. Isn't II
lucky you like ldlOtsT"
Eve ought 10 make soma nlanas