The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-11-21
CHAPTER XII

brought you to Wilton--I really can
not"
Cant your" grinned Horatio cheer
fully.
mo. | cannot"
From his superior height OF six
feet-two, he looked down at her meager
five feet, amusement twinkling In his
eyes.
Sylvia, however, was too intent on
patting her curls into place to heed
his glance.
You wrote me to come, didn't your"
he presently inquired.
Il wrote you to comet"
well. at least you led me to sup
pose you'd like 1t If were here" per-
sisted Horatio. Toward the bottom
of page two you said: i am posi-
lively homesick'. and In the middle
of the back Of page three you wrote:
1t seems years since I've seen you"
What II | didy' answered the girl
with disdainful shrug.
Nevertheless the dimples showed In
her cheeks.
And that isn't ALL" Horatlo went
on. AT the end of page five you
wrote. Would that you were here |"
Sylvia blt-her lip.
'That was only a figure OF speech
WHAT'S called poetic license
"Then you didn't mean 1t when you
said you wished was here"
Horatio was obviously disappointed.
why, of course | am pleased to see
you, Horatlo. 1t Is very nice OF you to
come to the Cape to meet my aunt
and"
Darn your aunt" he scowled. Il
didn't come TO see her. am not inter-
ested In aunts."
Take carel | happen to be very
keen on this aunt Of mine. II she
didn't like you. you might get sent
home. Don't be horrid. Hortie. /
truly am glad you've come. You must
make allowance for my being sur
prised haven't got over 1t yet. How
In the world did you contrlve to get
away at this season? And what sort
Of trip did you have?"
Swell stopped overnight In
New York at the Gardeners. Mother
wanted me to deliver birthday cake
to Estelle, who. you may remember, Is
the matters god-danghter She's
pippln, too. | hadn't seen her since
she graduated from Vassar."
Sylvia listened
She did not need to be told about
the Gardeners.
They had visited Horatio's family
more than once and rumor had 1t the
elders Of both families would be de-
lighted were the young people to make
a match Of 1t.
I'm surprised you did not stay
longer In New York. Sylvia observed,
gazing retlectively at her white shoe.
New York wasn't my objective.
came on business, you see. Dad gave
me two months off SO I could get
married"
Sylvia jumped.
Il was not aware you were en-
gagged" murmured she In a formal,
far-away tone.
I'm not" came frankly from Hora-
Ito Junior. but I'm going to be.
In fact chance to have the ring with
me this minute. Want to see It?n
II always enjoy looking at jewels"
was her cautious retort.
Horatlo felt Of his pockets.
where on earth did put that
=th1ngw he muttered Hope | haven't
lost it. Oh. here it Is"
He took out tiny velvet case and
sprang the catch.
"Oh, Hortiel Isn't 1t beautiful I"
Sylvia cried. 1T fairly takes away
my breath
TRY 1t on"
She shook her head
lit wouldn't fit me. My hands are
too small"
IL y sinai liiis. hNiC. III ~
on he urged. holding 1t toward her.
well, suppose | might try 1t to
please you. But I know 1t will be too
large"
She slipped 1t on her finger.
"Why, It does tit. How odd"
"very odd indeed" he answered
drily, as she reached her hand on.
into the sun and turned the diamonds
SO that they caught the light.
Looks rather well ON, doesn't lt7'
was his comment.
at ID q beautiful ring
Horatlo, standing behind her, twice
extended his arms as If to gather her
into them and twice withdrew them,
deciding the action to be premature.
At length with determined squar-
Ing OF his shoulders, he locked his
hands behind him and stood looking
on while she continued to twist the
ring this way and that.
"Well." yawned he after an inter
val. Il suppose may as well put II
hack In the box"